Music    Index
Chris de Burgh

Even if you don't know this artist, and don't believe in the ability to foresee future disasters, take a look at the lyrics to Chris de Burgh's 1980 release, Eastern Wind.  This is the artist that made "Lady in Red" an international hit.  To tell the truth, although I had heard and admired Lady in Red at the time, I'm no fan of Irish tenors in general.  I recognize their quality. But their voices tend to put my teeth on edge

Chris de Burgh is a big exception, maybe because he's primarily Irish by residence.  This is an under-appreciated artist in the USA, and even to a degree in Britain, but one so very relevant for our times - he sings about love, tragedy, loss, hope, patriotism, going off to war, togetherness and all things that have proven America's greatness.   

Chris de Burgh was born Christopher John Davidson on October 15th, 1948 in Argentina where his father, Charles Davison, was a British diplomat.  His mother, Maeve Emily de Burgh,  was descended from a famous noble European family.  Up to the age of 12, he lived in various countries around the world.  His family then bought an ancient, decrepit castle in Ireland, turning it into a family hotel.  There, with a guitar borrowed from his brother, he began to sing for guests, and began a long, difficult climb to his present international success. In '75 when he began to have some success he changed his name from "John Davison"  to "Chris de Burgh", taking his mother's family name.     

De Burgh's success has been fleeting and irregular in Great Britain, but has enjoyed great success in many other countries, earning gold and platinum albums and various awards.  His Christmas song, "A Spaceman Came Travelling" is now a holiday hit every year in England.  He also wrote a tribute do Princess Diane, who he knew personally, called "A New Star in Heaven Tonight", but although it was quickly released, it was almost completely eclipsed by Elton John's wonderful rendition of "Candle in the Wind".    

He has an amazing repertoire of songs of all kinds and styles, but has stayed true to his own type of music despite fickle tastes of the public.  At one point, according to a biography in Excite, he wrote the chairman of A&M Records "There is life after the Sex Pistols". 

Quoting a paragraph from one of the fan sites (a German site which gave a complete biography in English):  "Summarizing one can say the following:  Chris is a very family oriented person, many of his songs are about his family.  More than that, many ..are about actualities, human rights and having a little political these in them.     ...Chris's strength as a song-writer lies in his ability to redefine the art of story telling.  Lyrics that inspire the imagination and paint pictures are seamlessly (done) with melody and rhythm."

The lyrics to de Burgh's songs can be found here on his official website.

This is another great way to communicate with your children and introduce them to different kinds of music.  Put one of his CD's in your player in the kitchen (you do have one there, don't you) to listen to with your kids while you cook or do clean-up.