Hard Rock Music
The song was written by founding member of Thin Lizzy Phil Lynott. It was released on their 1976 album Jailbreak and as a single. For this Irish band, it was their breakthrough song in the U.S. They were surprised by its success and hadn’t even planned to put it on the Jailbreak album. However, the people found and liked it. The song went to #1 in Ireland, #8 in Canada and the U.K., #10 on U.S. Cash Box Top 100, and #12 on U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Evidently, there are a number of theories about the inspiration for the song, but none can be verified. Let’s just say it’s a slice-of-life story song.
Thin Lizzy formed in Dublin, Ireland, in 1960. Drummer Brian Downey, bass guitarist and lead vocalist Phil Lynott met while in school. On the album Jailbreak were Lynott (bass guitar, lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Scott Gorham (lead and rhythm guitars), Brian Robertson (lead and rhythm guitars), Brian Downey (drums, percussion), and Jean Alain Roussel (Hammond organ, piano). There have been numerous iterations of the lineup. Phil Lynott died in 1986. The group has continued to tour and perform.
