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St. Patrick’s Day is upon us. That glorious day each year when Irish heritage and culture is celebrated through gastronomic delights and all day revelry.
To ensure the vibe is right this St. Paddy’s Day, I have put together a list below of the 21 best songs forevery St. Patrick’s Day playlist. Are there many more songs that could be added to this playlist? Absolutely, but these are 21 essential St. Patrick’s Day songs that must be on any great playlist.
The 21 Best Songs For St. Patrick’s Day: St. Paddy’s Day Ultimate Playlist
Traditional Irish Music (or ‘Trad’) is an essential part of Irish culture, both in the pubs and in every other aspect of life. That has, of course, made its way across the pond here to America throughout the years. Irish Folk Music can be heard in every St. Patrick’s Day parade in every city as well as in pubs across the globe. So whether you are putting together a playlist on Spotify or firing up tracks on the TouchTunes jukebox, here are 21 of the best songs for St. Patrick’s Day.
1. The Dubliners — ‘Whiskey in the Jar’
To start things off lively we go with ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ by The Dubliners. This song is an old Irish folk song but was popularized by The Dubliners in the 1960s and for that reason I’ve included their version here.
2. The Pogues — ‘The Irish Rover (with The Dubliners)’
Play it loud and play it proud. This is the best version of this track with The Pogues and the Dubliners.
3. Irish Descendants — ‘Rattlin Bog’
I wish I could tell you how many times I have listened to this song but it measures in the hundreds of not thousands. At one point a few years ago, this song was so deeply stuck in my head that I tried listening to it on repeat for hours to get it out of my brain only to have it further deeply ingrained. This is also a great wedding song at the after party if there are enough people who know the words!
4. The Wolfe Tones — ‘Come Out Ye Black n Tans’
5. The Pogues — ‘Sally MacLennane’
Released in 1985, some say ‘Sally MacLennane’ by the Pogues is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. It is based on a bar owned by Shane MacGowan’s uncle which catered to Irish Ford workers in Dagenham.
6. The Dubliners — ‘Seven Drunken Nights’
No St. Patrick’s Day playlist can exist without this track. It is essential. You know this. I know this. Queue it up and play it multiple times throughout the evening.
7. Dropkick Murphy’s — ‘Shipping Up To Boston’
The Dropkick Murphy’s are emblematic of Boston/Massachusett’s Irish connection and heritage. While the band might not have been formed in Ireland, the members identify as Irish-American as much as Irish and American. That has always come through in their ‘Celtic Punk’ music.
8. The Dubliners — ‘The Wild Rover’
‘The Wild Rover’ by The Dubliners is one of those songs where I find myself wondering where the line between ‘Irish Folk Song’ and ‘Sea Shanty’ exists. Are they one in the same? Whatever the answer may be, this is a St. Patrick’s Day playlist essential.
9. U2 — ‘Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’
U2 are the best-selling Irish musicians in history. Like ’em or not, no St. Patrick’s Day playlist is complete without U2 on it.
10. The Cranberries — ‘Zombie’
Now we start to get into the grittier songs of the St. Patrick’s Day playlist. But we have to ease into things. So we go with a mainstream banger like ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries which is also a classic singalong tack.
11. The Irish Rovers — ‘Finnegan’s Wake’
‘Finnegan’s Wake’ is a song which pre-dates James Joyce’s novel of the same name. It was first recorded in 1864 in New York and tells the story of Tim Finnegan who had been born with “a love for the liquor.” There’s more to the song, of course, but you can smash ‘play’ and learn for yourself.
12. The Pogues — ‘The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn’
Do you like Irish mythology? Stories about curses placed on warriors? Then boy-o do I have the perfect song for you right here.
13. The Irish Rovers — ‘Haul Away Joe’
This is one of those songs that is best known as a Sea Shanty but is played alongside any Irish Folk Music you’ll find.
14. Dropkick Murphy’s — ‘Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya’
Cranking the energy back up with ‘Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya’ by the Dropkick Murphy’s is a fantastic way to segue into other tempos.
15. The Guinness Brothers — ‘St. James Gate’
St. James Gate, where Guinness is brewed, is woven into the fabric of Dublin. No trip to Dublin is complete without setting eyes on one of the most famous breweries on earth. I went a few years ago and got to spend time with the head archivist digging through old Guinness history. It was an incredible trip.
16. The Cranberries — ‘Linger’
Here we run it back with a second Cranberries song. It slows the mood down a little. Gives the bartenders time to catch their breath between pouring pints.
17. The Wolfe Tones — ‘Joe McDonnell’
If you were under the impression that every song here would be uplifting and cheerful then I’m sorry that I’m not sorry to disappoint you. Irish history is inextricably linked with suffering and tragedy.
Joe McDonnell was an IRA volunteer who died in 1981 while on hunger strike. Upon his death, McDonnell was buried in the same grave as Bobby Sands at Milltown Cemetery.
18. The Wolfe Tones — ‘Sliabh na mBan’
Do you need to speak Irish to love ‘Sliabh na mBan’ by The Wolfe Tones? Absolutely not.
19. The High Kings — ‘Red is the Rose’
20. Enya — ‘Orinoco Flow’
Why Enya? The 4x Grammy Award winner is one of the best-selling artists of all time and only trails U2 as the second-best selling Irish musician in history. There is an array of Enya songs to choose from but why not go with the ‘Orinoco Fly’ to end the night?
21. Jeff Danna & Mychael Danna — ‘The Blood of Cu Chulainn’
Last but not least we have ‘The Blood of Cu Chulainn’ which is such a beautiful song you could listen to it on repeat from now until forever. Whiskey in hand, or Guinness, whichever you may choose. It only enhances the experience.