Words (The Christians song)
Encyclopedia
"Words" is a 1989 song recorded by the English band The Christians. It was their first single from their second album, Colour. Released in December 1989 in Ireland
and UK and in the first months in other Europeans countries, the song was the first major hit from the band outside the UK.
of Irish
folk
heritage, known as "Mná na hÉireann
", written by Sean O Riada
, which translates as "Women of Ireland
". It has been recorded by The Chieftains
and Kate Bush
among many others. According to Expert of French charts Elia Habib, the song has a "sweet both melody and performance".
Song's lyrics are written on the cover of the CD maxi and the vinyl.
This single had a great success in France
, although the group was not really known to the general public, particularly outside the UK. However, the song achieved a minor success in UK where it reached only #18 and was a failure in Germany
.
In France, "Words" debuted at the bottom of the chart (top 50) on March 10, 1990, but reached very quickly the first places, topping for two weeks in May but managed to stay in the Top 10 for 11 weeks. It fell off the chart after its 19th week. Thus it was the best-selling single of the band in France.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and UK and in the first months in other Europeans countries, the song was the first major hit from the band outside the UK.
Song information
The group adapted a famous refrainRefrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
of Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
heritage, known as "Mná na hÉireann
Women of Ireland
"Women of Ireland", or "Mná na hÉireann" in Irish, is a song composed by Seán Ó Riada . The poem, on which the music is based, was written by Peadar Ó Dornín . Usually it falls under the category of Irish rebel music...
", written by Sean O Riada
Seán Ó Riada
Seán Ó Riada , was a composer and perhaps the single most influential figure in the revival of Irish traditional music during the 1960s...
, which translates as "Women of Ireland
Women of Ireland
"Women of Ireland", or "Mná na hÉireann" in Irish, is a song composed by Seán Ó Riada . The poem, on which the music is based, was written by Peadar Ó Dornín . Usually it falls under the category of Irish rebel music...
". It has been recorded by The Chieftains
The Chieftains
The Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1962, best known for being one of the first bands to make Irish traditional music popular around the world.-Name:...
and Kate Bush
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
among many others. According to Expert of French charts Elia Habib, the song has a "sweet both melody and performance".
Song's lyrics are written on the cover of the CD maxi and the vinyl.
This single had a great success in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, although the group was not really known to the general public, particularly outside the UK. However, the song achieved a minor success in UK where it reached only #18 and was a failure in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
In France, "Words" debuted at the bottom of the chart (top 50) on March 10, 1990, but reached very quickly the first places, topping for two weeks in May but managed to stay in the Top 10 for 11 weeks. It fell off the chart after its 19th week. Thus it was the best-selling single of the band in France.
Track listings
- CD maxi
- "Words" — 7:17
- "Long Gone" — 3:22
- "Funny Money" — 3:35
- 7" single
- "Words" — 5:26
- "Long Gone" — 3:22
Peak positions
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish IRMA Singles Chart | 6 |
| UK Singles Chart | 18 |
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
| Dutch Top 40 | 5 |
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 1 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 18 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1989) | Position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Top 40 | 41 |