In the recent Calling Card documentary, broadcaster and journalist Dave Fanning noted how Rory was “so much more than what a lot of people think he was.” Specifically, he was addressing how Rory tends to be pigeonholed as a guitar virtuoso and “a guy who brought the blues into some more decades from the old blues guys,” which overlooks many of the other strings to his very multi-faceted bow. One of these often-underappreciated facets is his songwriting.

Like Dave, I also feel frustrated by the claim that Rory didn’t write meaningful song lyrics and that they were merely “vehicles” for his guitar solos. This misconception was repeated in the music press during Rory’s lifetime, and it troubled him deeply. He frequently expressed his disappointment about being dismissed as simply a “guitar hero,” and in a 1992 interview with Joe Jackson, he lamented not receiving more credit for advancing the blues lyrically beyond songs like ‘Little Red Rooster’ or for challenging problematic or sexist themes in his songwriting.

Sadly, these misconceptions continue to appear in the music press and even in academic work, such as Martin McLoone and Noel McLaughlin’s Rock and Popular Music, where they unfairly stated that the “sophistication and technical brilliance” of Rory’s guitar playing was “in stark contrast to the undistinguished and indistinguishable nature of many of the songs and the often-obscure banality of their lyrics.” And just last month when I was in Belfast, I was dismayed to speak to a man who dismissed Rory’s lyrics as “crap,” cynically adding, “Let’s face it, he was hardly Dylan, was he?” I had to fight very hard to suppress the urge to throttle him and give him a lecture on the pure genius of Defender’s lyrics alone!

I honestly can’t understand what these people are hearing in order to make such claims. My own introduction to Rory’s music came through his debut solo album, and it was the lyrics that first caught my attention. From the tenderness of ‘Just the Smile’ to the resolve of ‘For the Last Time’ through to the imagery of ‘Sinner Boy’ and the humour of ‘Laundromat’, it quickly became clear to me that Rory was so much more than a guitar hero. And as I delved deeper into his back catalogue, this became even more evident. His crime-inspired songs, with lines more typical of a hardboiled novel than a rock song, really stood out to me. Or the way he so beautifully articulated his feelings of sadness and restlessness, making me and so many others who had felt similar emotions realise we weren’t alone. Or his lyrics of tenacity and resolve because nobody fought for the underdog quite like Rory did.

When Rayne and I wrote Rory Gallagher: The Later Years, we were both determined to shed light on this overlooked aspect of his artistry. We worked hard to highlight Rory’s lyrical talent throughout the book, especially in Part 1, which focuses on his studio work. Though Rory was a man of few words in his everyday life, his songs prove that he could wield language with precision, wearing his heart on his sleeve in them.

With all this in mind, in honour of what would have been Rory’s 77^th birthday today, I wanted to celebrate his lyrics and give them the recognition they truly deserve. So, over the past few months, I invited all of you to send in your three favourite Rory lyrics, along with your thoughts on why they resonate with you. The response was incredible, with 851 responses in total, amounting to 104 unique lyrics submitted! After tallying all the votes, I’ve compiled a Top 40 countdown below.

So, please sit back, relax and join me in celebrating Rory’s exceptional songcraft in this special birthday post.

40

You got me hurtin’ where it gets me most I’ve got some sense now, I’m going back to the Southern coast (Walkin’ Wounded, Fresh Evidence)

“These lines from Walking Wounded hit me in a way I never expected. Right now, going through a relapse of the illness I thought I’d left behind over a decade ago in my early 20s, I feel that first line in my bones. It’s not just physical pain—it’s the way this kind of setback shakes you at your core, hitting where you’re most vulnerable. I’m frustrated, exhausted, maybe even bitter sometimes. But then, the second line—that’s what keeps me going. It’s a realization, a turning point. No matter how much this illness takes, it won’t take everything. For me, “going back to the Southern Coast” isn’t a place—it’s my art, my writing. That’s where I feel most alive, where I remember who I am beyond the struggle. These words remind me that I can still create, still push forward, still hold onto the things I love. Illness may change the path, but it doesn’t have to define the destination” (Nova)

39

Tight talk from stay put people  Aimed to hurt, aimed to wound Step on your toes, step on your fingers          Just don’t take it, now don’t be fooled (Loose Talk, Jinx)

“There’s been so much negativity and division in the Rory online community over the past year, especially with the auction and the Belfast statue. It made me want to withdraw for a time. But what pulled me back were these powerful words from ‘Loose Talk’. Rory knew full well what it was like to be knocked down and have harsh words thrown at him in the press, yet he remained so tenacious. He gives me that strength too” (Anon)

“It always makes me feel confident about my beliefs, and it gives me strength to go on, even when the uptight people try to tear me down” (Erika)

“Don’t trust anyone. Rory didn’t trust people after being used by his old manager. He didn’t let most people too close. I agree” (Lori Murphy)

38

You’ve done me wrong for the last time          You’ve sung your song, now I’m gonna sing mine  Out loud so loud    Like the roaring sea (For the Last Time, Rory Gallagher)

“Boy did he!! He gave the finger to those that used him. It happened so often back then unfortunately….” (Lori Murphy)

“Man, the break-up of Taste really wounded Rory, and this song feels like a cathartic release for him, like he’s finally getting everything off his chest, laying his cards out there and stating that he’ll come back stronger than ever. YES, all power to you, Rory!” (Anon)

37

They say this town will kill you  They say this town ain’t got no soul    This town could take a child’s smile    And turn it into stone        But don’t you think I know that  This town has cut me to the bone        Trouble crawling up your back  Fear just eats your soul (Kickback City, Defender)

“These lyrics to me conjure up all sort of images as to how dire some (living) conditions can be, whether it’s through violence, drugs, poverty or general squalor” (Tom Marchbank)

“If you read these lines on paper, you’d think they were taken from a lost Dashiell Hammett novel or something. What an image Rory conjures up! Just a sign that his lyrics really were getting better and better as he got older” (Kevin)

36

His head is held high        But his heart is on its knees (Bourbon, Jinx)

“When I heard this lyric for the first time, it immediately hit a nerve because there’s such a raw and painful truth to it. I felt like someone finally put into words what it feels like to face the outside world with some dignity when everything inside you feels broken. I think everyone who has to deal with that feeling can’t help but be moved by Rory’s words” (Ani)

35

He’s drinking down the bourbon like it was soda pop       Trying to quell a feeling he knows ain’t gonna stop            He’s mortgaged out his blood for one more chance to breathe (Bourbon, Jinx)

“I just love the sense of desperation that Rory creates here with his lyrics, not to mention the superb descriptors. That metaphor of mortgaging out your blood is so powerful” (Moonchild58)

34

Now ain’t it strange that I feel like Philby,      There’s a stranger in my soul (Philby, Top Priority)

“Feeling like a stranger/outsider is something that Rory seems to return too often in his lyrics. I think he does it particularly well here in comparing his own situation to that of the famous double agent Kim Philby. It also shows how well read and intelligent he was. What other ‘rockstar’ can you think of that would write lyrics like this?” (Joe)

33

My line’s been tapped, my mail’s been screened     I could be wrong but that’s the way I feel       Everything I try just crumbles before I start   Feel like a lost child, searching in the dark (Jinxed, Jinx)

“It breaks my heart to think about how Rory must have been feeling when he wrote this or what might have happened to make him feel this way. But whatever it was, it led to some of his most hauntingly beautiful lyrics. I just wish he hadn’t felt so lost, so alone” (DG)

32

You thought we were illusions but we meant the word we said, We’re in command, you tiny fly, we’ll crush you till you’re dead. (Blister on the Moon, Taste)

“It’s INSANE how such evocative lyrics could come from such a young man, just 21 at the time. Well, the whole song really, which is full of such angst, as if Rory is looking back at his school years and the physical abuse he endured and singing of the way those horrible teachers made him feel just for wanting to be a musician. Also, I know it’s not directly related to the lyrics, but does anyone else think this song would fit perfectly into the 90s grunge era? I’ve never heard Rory sound so Nirvana-esque in guitar tone!” (Leigh)

31

I’ve cried enough tears to fill up an ocean     Surely you see that my world’s been broken Here I am, where are you?          Help me please, pull me through          Here I am, where are you?          All my days are edged in blue (Edged in Blue, Calling Card)

“I posted these lyrics on FB to honor my dear cousin when she passed away. She was the light of our family and it just came to me that what Rory wrote here was very apropos to her passing. Mayhap Rory’s intention of the lyric is more attuned to a lost love, a broken heart, but I’ve taken it to heart be an expression of grief. It still reminds me of our lost Becky, taken too soon. But it also in many ways cheers me up as I remember all the good days we had with her” (Dave Mangin)

“My all-time favourite. Apart from it being the song that made me fall in love with Rory, I think it also beautifully describes how he seems to guide us sometimes through life even though not being around anymore. I remember listening to the song up on Bells Field and it made me want to cry because I remembered that [Music Makers] scene and how I was in the exact same place but he wasn’t there anymore” (Amelie Scheidt)

30

She looks like the morning sun but you must remember  She’s as cold as December        I can’t remember what I’ve done (Morning Sun, On the Boards)

“Yet another fine example of a Rory lyric that could have been taken directly from one of his beloved crime fiction novels. I can just imagine a hard-boiled detective describing the femme fatale that steps into his office in this exact way” (Bill)

29

In the night I’m walking in my sleep,    A lonely man who just can’t get no peace (Can’t Believe It’s True, Rory Gallagher)

“I don’t mean to make the tone gloomy with my choice, but every time I hear these lines, they hit me so hard. Rory really describes himself perfectly in these lyrics – a lonely man who couldn’t find peace when he wasn’t performing on stage. It’s a poignant reminder of the struggles he faced, even as he gave so much of himself to his music” (Anon)

28

Watching the sky, with tears in my eyes,        I feel lonely,  Time’s flying by, but I start to smile,     It’s not easy (At the Bottom, Against the Grain)

“Oh, sweet Rory. What I wouldn’t give for you not to feel this way. No matter how lonely you may have felt, you were always so generous with your time for fans. You always had a smile for us, even when you might have been hurting inside. And that beautiful smile of yours still has the power to lift me up whenever I’m feeling down” (Lesley)

27

The moon was laughing at me like it did not have a care  But I just smiled right back and said    ‘You ain’t going anywhere’. (Last of the Independents, Photo-Finish)

“You can really sense the influence of hard-boiled fiction on Rory’s songwriting here. Just picture a gritty part of the city where a detective is working through the shadows, facing risks and fighting against all odds. He looks up at the night sky and the moon seems to laugh at him, but he takes it on the chin and responds in defiance, refusing to be beaten. It could also be seen as a metaphor for Rory himself who always faced life’s challenges head-on with an unrelenting spirit” (Cormac)

26

You’ll never get to heaven          Putting money in the plate          Can’t bribe St. Peter          When you’re at Heaven’s gate (Heaven’s Gate, Fresh Evidence)

“Rory’s religious influence is humorously reflected in these lyrics reminding us there are no shortcuts if we want to get to Heaven” (Tom Marchbank)

“This song is a very melancholy one, but I find it has that underlying message of ‘everyone else has got the same problems as I do’ — and if blues music ever preached about something, isn’t that it? Whether that problem is money, cars, guitars, vices or pleasures (or too much or too little thereof); if it’s anger, sadness, grief, happiness, love, joy, jealousy, hatred… The blues is there to remind you that sometimes everything can go to Hell in a handbasket but everyone else has lost their handbasket that way too, at one time or another, and there’s always a chance to get it back” (Kelly Munro)

25

Too many sleepless nights, put my soul on edge,   And so many restless moods, lay heavy in my head (Overnight Bag, Photo-Finish)

“You can almost feel how Rory must have felt writing this and I think anyone [who hears this] wishes being there with him at that moment” (Monique Frie)

“Rory should be commended for his bravery here in speaking so openly. These lyrics are so raw and vulnerable, you can almost feel his exhaustion and inner turmoil” (Bella)

24

Stay bright for one day    You might run into this patch of grey cloud too (Don’t Know Where I’m Going, Deuce)

“These lyrics feel like a reminder that even in the brightest moments, we can’t escape the occasional dark cloud. It’s as if Rory is acknowledging that life is full of ups and downs, but there’s something comforting in knowing that, even when the grey clouds come, the light will return. It’s a bittersweet yet hopeful perspective” (Anon)

23

Why I’ve always gotta see           What’s on the other side  So I pack my bag   Get on my way        And catch my train and ride (Livin’ Like a Trucker, Tattoo)

“I remember watching an interview with Rory’s brother Dónal, where he said how so many of Rory’s lyrics were about moving forward, never staying still, and that this reflected his restlessness and sense of unease when not on stage. I think these lines from Livin’ Like a Trucker really do a great job of capturing that feeling. Even with his fear of flying, Rory always wanted to ‘see what’s on the other side’ and kept going, often to his own detriment. RIP, great man” (James)

22

Well you can ride on the crest of a wave        If that’s where you want to be    But does the look on your face mean  You’re really feeling happy?       Or do you feel like you’re standing on a wooden leg          A poor man much too proud to beg     Or a page from a book     That can’t be read at all? (Crest of a Wave, Deuce)

“These lyrics really hit like a punch to the gut whenever I hear them. They seem to describe Rory to a tee. He was such an enigma, definitely ‘a page from a book that can’t be read at all’. Here, you can almost see how he’s comparing his onstage and offstage personas: to the public, he appeared to be riding high, but underneath that, he was vulnerable and insecure. It’s a powerful reflection of the man behind the guitar” (Anon)

“Rory telling us that you can strive to be on top, reach for that brass ring, but will it really bring you happiness? Or leave you empty?  Rather Ecclesiastic of Rory to restate in his own style the thought of ‘what does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul. His lyrical exposition of his whole way of embracing his career in music even?” (Dave Mangin)

21

Caught in tides friends of no-one         Winds which lie drove me straight on Who knows where but I was spared (Lost at Sea, Against the Grain)

“As I often do when listening to Rory’s lyrics, I can’t help but wonder what happened to this dear, sensitive man to make him feel the way he did. How I wish I could have been a friend to him and to show him how deeply loved he was (and still is!) by so many. The sense of being ‘spared’ in these lyrics is haunting – like he somehow made it through despite all the turmoil (I presume he’s referring to the break-up of Taste?), but at what cost to his wellbeing?” (HD)

20

I should spend time thinking of new ways     Cause blue days have taken quite a toll… (I’ll Admit You’re Gone, Calling Card)

“Rory’s father passed away not long before this song was recorded, so I’ve often wondered if it was written with him in mind. There’s a sense of weariness and longing here, as if Rory is caught between wanting to move forward and being weighed down by the sadness of lost time. The way he captures the toll that ‘blue days’ have taken on him is so relatable, yet deeply personal. It’s as though he’s admitting the struggle while still finding the strength to face it” (Anthony)

19

My heart is heavy, as a sky full of rain             Mind full of notions that I just can’t explain   The reasons why, just can’t be supplied (Overnight Bag, Photo-Finish)

“I’ve got a drawing of Rory by Jim Fitzpatrick that has these lines written around it – probably my favourite lyrics Rory ever wrote. Jim chose these words for the piece because he felt that people didn’t pay enough attention to Rory’s lyrics and wanted to capture him as he remembered him through their personal meetings. There’s an interview with Jim that really sums up what I’m trying to express, so I’ll cite it here: “He was so shy. He was very troubled. It felt like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. You’d nearly want to wrap your arm around him and say, ‘Rory, you’re a genius’.” So, these lyrics really reflect what Jim felt when he met Rory” (Barry)

18

I don’t mind waiting for your love         For of time I’ve got plenty of       Rain or shine please bring out your love        Make it shine like the stars above (I Fall Apart, Rory Gallagher)

“People often think that I Fall Apart is a love song, but it was actually written about the emotional fallout from the break-up of Taste. It really captures the pain of losing something that meant so much to Rory and the hope that, one day, he’ll be able to come to terms with it and perhaps be reconciled with the former members” (Anon)

“This is the first song I ever heard from Rory and it is the song that I feel I connect to him most. Kinda spiritual, it is like godhead herself reaching out to me with these lyrics alone. Man, this song should have been on the charts, a gem of a song” (Ailise)

17

Well, the rain ain’t fussy ‘bout where it lands                        It’ll find you hiding no matter where you stand        It’s gonna rain brother and it’s gonna rain hard       When the blues come calling with his calling card (Calling Card, Calling Card)

“No matter how much we try to escape life’s hardships, they’ll find us eventually – just like the rain. It’s a reminder that we all have our battles and sometimes they’ll hit us hard. This theme harks back to classic blues songs about pain and struggles, all part of the human experience” (Amanda)

16

Sorrow is my middle name         And I’ll tell you something else Since you’ve been gone, I’m broken down    I cannot trust myself         Been hangin’ round this lonesome town        Feelin’ less and less          What is gonna happen here        Is anybody’s guess (Middle Name, Fresh Evidence)

“These [lyrics] are perfect descriptors of the turmoil I felt when my grandmother’s death upturned my life and absolutely devastated nine-year-old me. I had been, in effect, raised by my grandmother and when she died, I was brought back into the main fold of the family unit with my parents and step-siblings. I went from one extreme to the other: from spending all of my time with my Granny being cherished and taught things to being dismissed as an old soul gifted child by parents who never explained what grieving was or how to process the loss. I loved her more than anyone else on Earth. The first quoted verse of ‘Middle Name’ evokes the unmoored feeling that hung so heavy in the first years after her death and still returns from time to time. It reminds me of the decade following her passing where I couldn’t speak about her without crying because the loss of her was like having lost a part of myself. In the next verse, Rory’s “lonesome town” is what our house was without her. The family balance was askew for years afterwards and you never knew when a badly timed comment would make someone fly off the handle. I grew distant and, in retrospect, began the transition from nervous to depressed […] ‘Middle Name’ may evoke images of sugar cane and lone men staring at the sky for some, but for me, it will always bring to mind the grief caused by losing the person you love the most in the entire world” (Kelly Munro)

15

The journey we were on – can’t believe it’s over       I can feel the storm, but I can’t run for cover Where do I belong, I just keep on searching I want to see the dawn of the day when I stop hurting (I’ll Admit You’re Gone, Calling Card)

“This song just kills me. Whatever it is Rory was thinking of when he wrote it, I don’t know. It just hits me like a brick” (Margery Miller)

“Rory somehow had the ability to reflect my own feelings in so many of his songs, and here he does so with the feeling of loss, uncontrollable grief and the inability to deal with it. It’s something I can deeply relate to, having Iost someone very close to me a few years ago and still feeling that same emptiness” (RM)

14

In the flinty night, it’s midnight  And stars collide    Shadows run in full flight To run, seek and hide       I’m still not sure what part I play,          In this shadow play, this shadow play…. (Shadow Play, Photo-Finish)

“Without the music, it still stands to my way of thinking as great poetry! And as with most of his songs, takes us on a journey. I picture myself in the deep woods on a moonless night, open sky above and seeing things around that may or may not be there. Wondering where do I fit in?” (Dave Mangin)

“Take the music out of the equation and just read these words on a page, and they read so much like Romantic poetry. I mean, ‘flinty’ is straight out of Wordsworth or Keats! There’s something so vivid and ethereal about these lyrics, as though they belong to a world where nature and the human soul are intertwined, both mysterious and full of wonder” (Steve)

13

There’s a song on the lips of everybody         There’s a smile all around the room     There’s conversation overflowing         But I sit here with the blues (A Million Miles Away, Tattoo)

“These lyrics remind me the most of Rory: I remember vividly sitting with him in the hotel bar of the American hotel in Amsterdam both drinking a Ricard pastis… eventually the hotel bar lost all its people and it closed, much to Rory’s dislike. Reading over the lyrics now, it confirms my initial impression (as mentioned in the interview with you a few years ago): Rory (in 1995) being a very lonely man far away from home” (Toine von Berlo)

“A dreamy on the edge of nightmare tune. I especially love the images he paints, and the loneliness and sorrow the character experiences as he’s the last man standing – nowhere to go, no one to see” (Steve Smith)

12

If you keep on walkin’       You’ll walk right outta sight        And if you keep your eyes closed         You will not see the light  Just give me a chance,    To put it right. (Wheels Within Wheels, Wheels Within Wheels)

“I’m torn with this track. I love, adore, the song, but it equally leaves me totally bereft. The words chosen show a completely torn and anguished soul. A voice crying out in the dark, but there is no one there to hear it. I have the utmost admiration for Rory writing this song, as I think he really does leave his soul exposed and does nothing to hide how he is feeling. No backing vocals, no big sweeping musical statements. The anguish in his voice has only allowed me to listen to it a handful of times. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful. A masterclass of songwriting” (Jane Lahr)

“I can totally understand why Rory chose not to release this song in his lifetime. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him lay his soul so bare and perhaps it scared him to show that level of vulnerability on record. It never fails to reduce me to tears. It’s like he’s singing to himself – much like in Easy Come Easy Go – urging himself to stop being so stubborn, be more trustful of people, come out of his shell a bit, yet there’s an undeniable sense of helplessness, as though he knows he just can’t do it” (Anon)

11

Sounds come crashing    And I hear laughing           All those lights just blaze away I feel a little strange inside          A little bit of Jekyll, a little Mr Hyde (Shadow Play, Photo-Finish)

“It’s often said that Rory had a Jekyll-Hyde personality, and he acknowledges that himself in Shadow Play. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for him to summon that larger-than-life stage persona only to revert back to his more reserved self afterwards. I remember reading how he’d sometimes stand alone in the empty venue after a performance looking at the stage, almost longing to remain the person he was when he was up there in front of an audience. It’s like he wished he could stay in that confident, fearless space rather than return to the person he felt he was offstage. That feeling of internal conflict – the battle between two very different sides of himself – really resonates in these lyrics. It’s a poignant reminder of the emotional weight that came with being both Rory the musician and Rory the individual” (Julie)

10

You’re feeling haunted     See those shadows on the shades?    You’re stalking ‘round the room                        Your name is on the blade          The darkness ‘round your neck             Is like a metal claw             Who is gonna save you?             Who will hear you call? (Heaven’s Gate, Fresh Evidence)

“This song describes perfectly the feeling of being half alive, half dead. Every time I listen to it, I can see crystal clear a man, lying on his bed, scared, knowing there is no way out. The feeling it evokes through the lyrics is really overwhelming and accurate” (Erika)

“In less than two dozen words, Rory has set the scene of a brooding man with deep-set worries and an upcoming (even if only imagined) date with death. Heaven’s Gate presents us with the questions we all begin to ask ourselves when confronted by our own mortality, our own weaknesses, and the failings of our bodies. Heaven’s Gate is also one of the best examples of Rory’s fantastic storytelling. He was able to create a whole story in a song of 126 words. It is as vibrant and intriguing as some of today’s ‘flash fiction’ (though lyrics could be closer repurposed to poetry) and I can effortlessly close my eyes and lose myself in the vivid story that he’s created here” (Kelly Munro)

9

Tattoo’d lady           Bearded baby          They’re my family   When I was lonely  Someone told me   Where I could always be (Tattoo’d Lady, Tattoo)

“It takes me back to those old fairground memories of my childhood when the fair came to town every May Day weekend […] It also reflects his down to earth nature and his vulnerability as an ordinary man” (David Caldwell)

“I think Rory felt a certain affinity with the fairground as it was a place where outsiders found a sense of acceptance, no questions asked. It’s as if he saw himself fitting in with the tattoo’d ladies, bearded babies and other misfits, a place where no one was judged and everyone had a story to tell” (GG)

8

Just the smile that is spreading all over her face     Could warm up the room and set fire to the place   Yes, it could, you know it could (Just the Smile, Rory Gallagher)

“A beautiful tribute to Rory’s mother, Monica. He was such a devoted son, always taking the time to call her every night, no matter where he was in the world. I heard Monica would often sing this song around the house, and I’m sure it meant a lot to her” (Anon)

“We think Rory wrote this for his mother, Monica. Such simple lyrics but such a wonderful simile of the smile warming up the room. Just beautiful” (Ann O’Kelly)

7

You put me down   For the very last time        I hit the floor            But I got up on the count of nine          Goodbye, don’t cry            When I’m gone (For the Last Time, Rory Gallagher)

“For the obvious reason of it being something so realistic yet encouraging, especially when struggling with your mental health” (Amelie Scheidt)

“My husband Gary has been battling cancer since 2019 when he was told he had 9 months to live. We have compared the fight to boxing. Last July, he had a brain tumor removed, then in August 12% of his lung, then 3 months of chemotherapy. Yesterday, we had the first CT scan showed all lung tumors have disappeared. This lyric inspired us to keep up the fight with cancer” (Wanda Hicker)

6

I’m a million miles away   I’m a million miles away   But I’m sailing like a driftwood   On a windy bay       On a windy bay (A Million Miles Away, Tattoo)

“I know most people are going to use this song, but it does resonate with me a lot. So many have felt all alone in a crowd of people, you know. Rory hits the nail on the head…” (Lori Murphy)

“There was something incredible in Rory Gallagher that allowed him to connect with so many people, and it’s the sorrow in ‘A Million Miles Away’ that first connected me to him” (Kelly Munro)

“These lyrics speak so strongly to me. I’ve always felt like an outsider, like I don’t belong, and it somehow gives me a strange comfort to know that Rory felt that way too” (Anon)

5

Why ask how I feel,            Well, how does it look to you?   I fell hook, line and sinker           Lost my captain and my crew (A Million Miles Away, Tattoo)

“A Million Miles Away was one of the first dozen songs by Rory I’d ever heard, and even though I was busy with housework when it began to play, something about the pain in the words he sang grabbed at my heart. I just had to sit down to listen carefully, to give the song all of my attention. By the next verse, I was crying. By the end of the chorus? Sobbing. This song could have been written about so many days, about so many nights of my life where I felt like a deep sea creature brought to the surface, only to be ignored because no one seemed to realize I was aching with despair and suffering. I knew then that Rory was someone who had known sadness just like I had. That he’d known the cloying loneliness and melancholy that I’d lived with for so many years. Ever since that first listen, it was like Rory had sat down beside me to hold my hand, providing me comfort and someone to relate to. A Million Miles Away” hasn’t just touched my heart and eased the bruises on my soul, it’s done the same for dozens of people. Hundreds, I’d bet. And as time goes on, who can say how many more this song will soothe?” (Kelly Munro)

“These lyrics hit me hard because they speak to that feeling of being completely taken in, only to be left alone when things fall apart. I can really relate to the idea of being vulnerable, trusting someone or something fully, and then realizing it was all a lie. The line “I fell hook, line and sinker” feels like how it feels when you’re all in, with no second thoughts, and then suddenly find yourself abandoned, unsure of where to go next. It’s that gut-wrenching realization that you’ve lost not just the thing you believed in, but also the support you thought you had. Rory’s words really capture that deep sense of betrayal and isolation—something we’ve all felt at some point, I think” (Anon)

4

Well I walk on hot coals, sleep on a bed of nails      Walk on thin ice, skate on razor blades           Got my little girl beside me no matter what else fails (Walk on Hot Coals, Blueprint)

“A terrific tale of the guy who keeps on losing, probably his own fault, but as long as he’s got his woman it’s all OK. Of course, if she leaves… The lyrics have a timeless feel” (Steve Smith)

“It is very relatable of how hard life must have been for those living on a knife edge as a working-class youngster of that era” (David Caldwell)

“I’ve always interpreted these lyrics in a slightly different way. To me, that ‘little girl’ represents Rory’s Strat – his constant companion, the one thing he could always rely on, ‘no matter what else fails’. The Strat was often described as Rory’s ‘wife’ and they had such a deep connection. It was more than just an instrument to him; it was an extension of himself, his voice when words couldn’t express what he was feeling” (Anon)

“It’s hard to imagine a stronger, more potent image. It says something about the creative process or how life might be lived. Urgent and restless” (Denyse Anger)

3

Like a cat that’s playing with a ball of twine   That you call my heart      Oh, but, baby, is it so hard          To tell the two apart?        And so slowly you unwind me   Till I fall apart (I Fall Apart, Rory Gallagher)

“Just amazing writing from Rory when he was still so young. Comparing the ball of twine to his heart and being unwound. Absolutely gorgeous” (Ann O’Kelly)

“What a vivid picture Rory paints here, made all the more powerful when you realise this song was about the break-up of Taste. You can almost feel the emotional unravelling as Rory compares his heart to the ball of twine being slowly unwound. The song captures the inner turmoil he was experiencing at the time – torn between love and bitterness. The later line ‘till the end of time, you’ll be on my mind’ also sounds almost sinister in this context – it’s not about undying love for a sweetheart but rather a reflection of unresolved pain and regret, a kind of haunting memory that stays with him, whether he wants it to or not” (James)

2

I’m easy come and easy go, Don’t paint it all so sadly. Before you know the light will shine, Don’t burn out completely Locked inside yourself, You’ve gotta break out soon. Come on and try again, And hear a different tune (Easy Come Easy Go, Jinx)

“It is like a friend being there when no one else is to be around trying to cheer you up… that is what I feel from these lyrics, and Rory being an empathic Pisces (this I feel from reading interviews from those who knew him), this makes sense. These lyrics get me every time” (Ailise)

“The lyrics hurt me every time. To me, he sings this song to himself. So full of pain and yet trying to see the bright side. Heavy, heavy… seems as he is fighting hard” (Christina Waldensjö)

“I really feel that Rory is singing these lyrics to himself, almost like a self-talk, urging himself to break free from his depression and find the strength to look on the brighter side of life. The way he delivers the lyrics with so much raw emotion makes me cry every time. You can tell he truly felt every single word. And then, there’s what feels like a shift of voice in the middle of the song with ‘Please don’t lock me out’, which always strikes me as Rory embodying his brother and what Dónal might say to him. It’s like he’s trying to reach out to Rory, asking to be let in, yet Rory’s stubbornness doesn’t allow it. Heartbreaking yet so honest and poignant” (Anon)

“This song leads me through a deep feeling of being low and depressed, but at the same time, it rises me up with hope and faith, letting me know that things can change if I try” (Erika)

“These lines feel like Rory himself reaching out to me just when I need it most. I turn to this song whenever anxiety and sadness creep in. It feels like an answered prayer, pulling me back from the edge, reminding me that no feeling—no struggle—lasts forever. These words tell me to hold on, to not let anxiety, pain and sadness consume me, to remember that shutting people out only makes it worse. And then there’s Rory’s voice—raw, heartfelt, utterly human. He’s not just singing; he means it. That’s what makes this song so powerful. It doesn’t deny the darkness, but it promises the light will return. And sometimes, that’s all you need to hear to keep going” (Nova)

1

I want to plant the star in the sky One you can find at the end of the night I want to climb a ladder to space Leave without trace, ‘cause now is the time Things are gonna be so clear When I’m light years from here in some other space Let me take the tear from your eye And leave it behind, stay by my side (Follow Me, Top Priority)

“What is there to say? Already in ’79, these thoughts and feelings! There is this connection to something “beyond” that he apparently felt and experienced. This is a beauty (as well) and it hits me hard to realize that he drifted in this direction yet trying to sound “cheerful” – almost a bit “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde-ish” (Christina Waldensjö)

“Yes, Rory we follow you and one day be with you in that magical place” (Ailise)

“Is there anything more meaningful than this song considering how far the love for Rory has got so many of the Rory fans? We would’ve never met, I probably wouldn’t have done my gap year [in Ireland]…” (Amelie Scheidt)

“A bittersweet song for me. It’s almost as if Rory always knew that his time on earth would be short and that he is moving on to bigger things, yet is reassuring people not to be sad and that it is all ‘part of the plan’ and that he will always remain present here with his beautiful musical legacy” (Sara)

“I think this song captures Rory’s deep sense of searching, an eternal wanderer who felt a connection to something beyond this world. The lyrics convey a longing for something greater, but also a desire to comfort and reassure others. He was almost prophetic in his way of accepting that he was on a journey, yet still wanted to ease the pain of those who cared about him. It’s bittersweet to think that he might’ve known his time would be short, but he found a way to transcend that with his music, leaving behind a legacy that would carry his spirit forward” (Anon)

“What strikes me about this song is how hopeful it feels, despite the sadness lurking underneath. Rory seems to be telling us that his journey isn’t an end, but a transformation. And in a way, it’s comforting to think that we’re all part of this greater adventure with him, in whatever form he’s taken on since” (Samantha)

“This song is a real love letter from Rory to his fans, one that transcends time. It’s like he is quietly acknowledging that his time on earth is limited and he’s preparing us for his departure, but also giving us hope that his essence will live on through his music. And indeed it has, almost 30 years on. I love you, Rory” (Anon)

So, there you have it – the top 40 favourite Rory lyrics, as voted by you! A huge thank you once again for all your contributions. Let me know your thoughts on the results below.

If I can end on a personal note, I’m so delighted to see two of my all-time favourite Rory lyrics in the top two spots. I share the sentiments expressed above about the deeper significance of ‘Follow Me’, as well as the comfort ‘Easy Come Easy Go’ has given me at times when I’ve felt hopeless. As I look over all these lyrics compiled together, it strikes me how many of them reveal such a raw and intimate side of Rory — many are tinged with sadness, yet they’re always laced with a sense of hope and positivity that he never lost. I also love the number of hard-boiled inspired lyrics that made the final list, and it’s also nice to see lyrics from the Jinx, Defender, and Fresh Evidence eras so well represented.

If you’re a spreadsheet nerd like me and want to see a full breakdown of the lyrics and frequencies, you can do so here.

All that’s left for me to say is a big, heartfelt happy heavenly birthday to Rory. You music continues to speak to us, inspire us and remind us of the power of resilience, hope and the timeless beauty of your artistry. Thank you for everything – your legacy will forever shine.

❤️