Let’s get super chick-flicky here for a second.
You know that scene in P.S. I Love You where Hilary Swank’s character goes to Whelan’s pub to see Gerard Butler’s character be sexy and sing “Galway Girl”? Well, I realize Whelan’s is in Dublin (I actually went there – something I didn’t remember doing until right this second… Probably because I was so incredibly juiced up. I digress), but Galway is the place that I found held true to that good craic Irish spirit.
You know the one, the spirit that encompasses all the trad-music playing, Guiness swigging, easy-going attitude that you’ve always envisioned Ireland to have.
What I wasn’t prepared for, however, was the city’s utter OBSESSION with John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. Now, I have nothing against the song, it’s a classic, catchy, tune. So what is up with this, Ireland? Are you pandering to American tourists or do you just really dig John Denver? I’m not exaggerating when I say that I heard this song in almost every traditional music pub we went to. By the end of my stay in Galway, the song was on constant ear-worm repeat in my head and I found the experience to be, well, exhausting. Sob story over.
For this full Irish experience, click the link about America below:
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” was released in 1971 as part of Denver’s Poems, Prayers, and Promises album. Written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert (both of Starland Vocal Band fame), and John Denver himself, the song was released to exceptional reception by all, especially by West Virginians. In fact, not only has it been the theme song of West Virginia State University since 1972, but as of March 8th, 2014, it has been WV’s official state song.
West Virginia… Ireland… Everyone loves a good folk song.
