Classic Pop Icons

This week’s Song of the Week is Thin Lizzy’s rock classic “The Boys Are Back In Town.” “The Boys Are Back In Town” opened side two of Thin Lizzy’s sixth studio album “Jailbreak” which was released in March 1976. The following month saw the release of “The Boys Are Back In Town” on single in the UK, backed with “Emerald.” In some countries, including the US and Canada, it was backed with “Jailbreak.”

Thin Lizzy’s signature sound of melodic twin lead guitars over a driving hard rock rhythm is in full evidence here on one of their most enduring tracks.

There is some debate over what “The Boys Are Back In Town” is about. It has been suggested that the song is about soldiers returning home from the Vietnam war and Phil Lynott himself even said that at one point he was going to call the song “G.I. Joe Is Back.” However, in the April 9, 1977 issue of the New Musical Express (NME) Lynott also said that “The Boys Are Back in Town” is about both Manchester United supporters and a Manchester street gang called the Quality Street Gang. Phil Lynott had met members of the gang because they frequented the bar of the Clifton Grange Hotel in Manchester where Phil’s mother, Philomena, worked in the 1960s.

Whatever the intended meaning, “The Boys Are Back In Town” has become a celebration of youthful exuberance and the camaraderie that exists between young men when out on the town.

Thin Lizzy – “The Boys Are Back In Town”

Authorship

The words and music to “The Boys Are Back In Town” were written by Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott.

Recording date/location

“The Boys Are Back In Town” was recorded at Ramport Studios, London in Dec 1975 – Jan 1976.

Musicians

The following musicians played on “The Boys Are Back In Town”:

• Phil Lynott – bass guitar, lead vocals
• Scott Gorham – guitar
• Brian Robertson – guitar
• Brian Downey – drums.

Chart performance

“The Boys Are Back In Town” went to number one on the Irish singles chart and number eight in the UK. It was the band’s biggest ever hit in the US, peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The album “Jailbreak” hit number 10 in the UK and number 18 in the US. This was the band’s highest charting album in the US.

Covers

Huey Lewis & The News – “The Boys Are Back In Town”

Huey Lewis & The News have performed “The Boys Are Back In Town” in concert on and off since the 1980s. The version below features a cool keyboard intro by Sean Hopper, before following the familiar arrangement. The band sing the song as a tribute to Phil Lynott, who Huey became friends with when his band Clover opened for Thin Lizzy in the 1970s. Huey also appeared on stage with Thin Lizzy on occasion, eg Huey plays harmonica on “Baby Drives Me Crazy” on the “Live And Dangerous” album.

Everclear – “The Boys Are Back In Town”

Everclear’s cover of “The Boys Are Back In Town” updated the original arrangement for the 1990s, with heavy bass and drum parts, and lots of thrashing away at those power chords. It was featured on the soundtrack to the 1999 movie “Detroit Rock City”, which also featured the Thin Lizzy original “Jailbreak.”

There will be a new Song of the Week on March 21.

“The Boys Are Back In Town” can be found on the album “Jailbreak”, which was reissued as a two-CD deluxe set in January of this year. Disc one contains the original album and disc two contains bonus material. Deluxe versions of “Johnny The Fox” and “Live And Dangerous” were released at the same time.

Title
Thin Lizzy – Jailbreak deluxe edition (2 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Thin Lizzy – Johnny The Fox deluxe edition (2 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Thin Lizzy – Live and Dangerous deluxe edition (2 CDs/1 DVD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now