Fisherman's Blues (song)

Last updated
"Fisherman's Blues"
The Waterboys Fisherman's Blues 1988 Single Cover.jpg
Single by The Waterboys
from the album Fisherman's Blues
B-side "Lost Highway"
ReleasedDecember 1988 (US)
January 1989 (UK) [1]
Length4:23
Label Ensign, Chrysalis
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Mike Scott
The Waterboys singles chronology
"Medicine Bow"
(1986)		"Fisherman's Blues"
(1988)		"And a Bang on the Ear"
(1989)

"Fisherman's Blues" is a song from folk rock band The Waterboys, which was released in 1988 as the lead single from their fourth studio album of the same name. It was written by Mike Scott and Steve Wickham, and produced by Scott. The song reached number 3 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, [2] number 13 in Ireland and number 32 in the UK. [3] [4]

Contents

The single was reissued in the UK on 27 May 1991 to promote the compilation album The Best of The Waterboys 81–90 . [5] The reissue reached number 17 in Ireland and number 75 in the UK. [3] [4]

Background

Scott began writing the song on a plane flight from New York to London, at the end of the Waterboys' North American tour in November 1985. During his time in New York, Scott had a meeting with the band's manager, Gary Kurfirst, however their relationship had become strained by this time. In his autobiography, Scott revealed: "I knew that the relationship [with Kurfirst] was in terminal decline. I wanted out. Squeezed into seat 31F, I wrote down my feelings in verse on the back of my boarding pass, the beginnings of a new song called "Fisherman's Blues"." [6] Some of the lyrics were also inspired by the W. H. Auden poem "The Night Mail". [7]

The song was recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, Ireland, on 23 January 1986 as part of the first session for the album of the same name. [8] [9] Speaking of the song's recording to Songfacts in 2013, Scott recalled: "I wrote the third verse in the studio. The music got written that day in the studio as well. I had the chords, but the tone of the song came from Steve Wickham's fiddle accompaniment." [7]

Critical reception

On its release as a single, Music & Media considered the song to be a "spirited recording of Dylanesque folk", with "effective use of mandolin and fiddle" and "straightforward production". [10] Jerry Smith of Music Week praised it as "rousing anthem" and added, "With its duelling fiddles and mandolins it should lead everyone frantically jigging into the New Year." [11]

In a review of the 1991 reissue, Terry Staunton of New Musical Express considered the song to be superior to the "most overrated" "The Whole of the Moon" and praised it for "show[ing] just what Scott is capable of with a bit of effort and intelligence". He added that the band's recent "renewed interest could well catapult this raggle-taggle charmer into the top ten". [12] Ian Gittins of Melody Maker described it as a "rapt declaration" with Scott "hooting with glee as he leads us through his gypsy ramble". He added it was "a welcome chance" to hear the song again, but with "more reservations" than with the recently re-released "The Whole of the Moon", as "Fisherman's Blues" "appeared at the time when Scott was relocating to Galway, switching his view from the stars to the soil, lowering his sights from 'You saw Brigadoon' to 'I wish I was a fisherman'." Gittins also noted the "mighty version" of "Medicine Bow" on the single. [13]

In a review of Fisherman's Blues, Spin commented on the song: "Scott strums his acoustic guitar as if every chord's a mile, while bandmates Steve Wickham and Anthony Thistlethwaite hasten his speed." [14] Ian Abrahams of Record Collector described the song as "thrillingly evocative", adding: "Nailed in just two run-throughs, it's perfect, definitive and timeless." [15]

Formats

7", 12" and CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Fisherman's Blues"4:23
2."Lost Highway"4:18
Cassette single
No.TitleLength
1."Fisherman's Blues"4:23
2."Medicine Bow"5:18
3."Lost Highway"4:18

Charts

Chart (1989)Peak
position
Irish Singles Chart [3] 13
New Zealand Singles Chart [16] 20
UK Singles (OCC) [17] 32
US Alternative Airplay ( Billboard ) [18] 3
Chart (1991)Peak
position
Irish Singles Chart [3] 17
UK Singles Chart [4] 75

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [19] Silver200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

The Waterboys

Additional personnel

Production

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Waterboys</span> Irish and Scottish folk rock band

The Waterboys are a rock band formed in 1983 by Scottish musician and songwriter Mike Scott. The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England. Mike Scott has remained the only constant member throughout the band's career. They have explored a number of different styles, but their music is mainly a mix of folk music with rock and roll. They dissolved in 1993 when Scott departed to pursue a solo career. The group reformed in 2000, and continue to release albums and to tour worldwide. Scott emphasises a continuity between the Waterboys and his solo work, saying that "To me there's no difference between Mike Scott and the Waterboys; they both mean the same thing. They mean myself and whoever are my current travelling musical companions."

<i>This Is the Sea</i> 1985 studio album by the Waterboys

This Is the Sea is the third studio album by the Waterboys, released on 16 September 1985 by Ensign Records. The last of their "Big Music" albums, it is considered by critics to be the finest album of the Waterboys' early rock-oriented sound, described as "epic" and "a defining moment". It peaked at number 37 in the UK Albums Chart. Steve Wickham makes his Waterboys recording debut playing violin on "The Pan Within" and subsequently joined the band. This Is the Sea is the last Waterboys album with contributions from Karl Wallinger, who left the group to form his own band, World Party.

<i>Fishermans Blues</i> 1988 studio album by the Waterboys

Fisherman's Blues is the fourth studio album by the Waterboys, released by Ensign Records in October 1988. The album marked a change in the band's sound, with them abandoning their earlier grandiose rock sound for a mixture of traditional Irish music, traditional Scottish music, country music, and rock and roll. Critics were divided on its release with some disappointed at the change of direction and others ranking it among the Waterboys' best work. The album was the Waterboys' best selling album, reaching a number 13 placing on the U.K. charts on release, and 76 on the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Scott (Scottish musician)</span> Scottish songwriter and musician (born 1958)

Michael Scott is a Scottish singer, songwriter, and musician. He is the founding member, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter of rock band The Waterboys. He has also produced two solo albums, Bring 'Em All In and Still Burning. Scott is a vocalist, guitarist and pianist, and has played a large range of other instruments, including the bouzouki, drums, and Hammond organ on his albums. Scott is also a published writer, having released his autobiography, Adventures of a Waterboy, in 2012.

<i>Room to Roam</i> 1990 studio album by the Waterboys

Room to Roam is the fifth studio album by the Waterboys, released by Ensign Records on 2 October 1990. It continued the folk rock sound of 1988's Fisherman's Blues, but was less of a commercial success, reaching #180 on the Billboard Top 200 after its release in October 1990. Critical response continues to be mixed. AllMusic describes it both as "not quite as [musically] successful" as Fisherman's Blues, but also as a "Celtic rock classic". The front and back covers were designed by Simon Fowler based upon photography by Stefano Giovannini and Sean Jackson.

<i>Too Close to Heaven</i> 2001 compilation album by The Waterboys

Too Close to Heaven is a collection of outtakes, alternative versions, and unreleased tracks from The Waterboys' Fisherman's Blues period, released September 2001. The album was released as Fisherman's Blues, Part 2 in the United States with five additional tracks in July of that year.

<i>Universal Hall</i> 2003 studio album by the Waterboys

Universal Hall is the eighth studio album by the Waterboys, released in 2003. It is named after the theatre and performance hall at the Findhorn Foundation, which is pictured on the album cover. The album shows much more influence from folk music than its predecessor, A Rock in the Weary Land. It is the first Waterboys album to feature Steve Wickham since Room to Roam, and therefore the first Waterboys album with all three core members of the post-reunion band.

<i>The Live Adventures of the Waterboys</i> 1998 live album by The Waterboys

The Live Adventures of the Waterboys is a concert recording, released by The Waterboys in 1998. Mike Scott refers to this album as an "unofficial release" or bootleg recording, but praises the recording period as a "classic" period for the Waterboys. Most of the live songs on The Live Adventures... had already appeared on the bootlegs A Golden Day (1991) and Born To Be Together (1992). It is the only Waterboys album on which member Guy Chambers appears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Wickham</span> Irish musician

Steve Wickham is an Irish musician. Originally from Marino, Dublin, but calling Sligo home, Wickham was a founding member of In Tua Nua and played violin on the classic U2 song "Sunday Bloody Sunday", as well as recordings by Elvis Costello, the Hothouse Flowers, Sinéad O'Connor, and World Party. He is a long-standing member of The Waterboys. Wickham plays both rock and roll and traditional Irish music, and has developed a rock music technique for violin he calls the "fuzz fiddle".

<i>Karma to Burn</i> (The Waterboys album) 2005 live album by The Waterboys

Karma to Burn is the first official live album from The Waterboys. It also contains tracks from Mike Scott's solo career: "Bring 'em All In," "Long Way to the Light," "My Dark Side," and "Open."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">And a Bang on the Ear</span> 1989 single by the Waterboys

"And a Bang on the Ear" is a song from Scottish-Irish folk rock band the Waterboys, released on 19 June 1989 as the second single from their fourth studio album, Fisherman's Blues. It was written by Mike Scott, and produced by John Dunford and Scott. The song reached No. 1 in Ireland and No. 51 in the United Kingdom.

<i>Book of Lightning</i> 2007 studio album by the Waterboys

Book of Lightning is the ninth studio album by the Waterboys, released on 2 April 2007 through W14/Universal Records. The album contains ten tracks, produced by Mike Scott and Philip Tennant, with musical contributions from Steve Wickham (fiddle), Richard Naiff (keyboards), Brady Blade (drums), Mark Smith (bass), Leo Abrahams, Jeremy Stacey (drums) plus long-time Waterboys alumni Roddy Lorimer (trumpet), Chris Bruce and Thighpaulsandra (keyboards). Book of Lightning was recorded in London with the exceptions of one song recorded in Vancouver with members of Canadian art-pop band Great Aunt Ida, and another in Scott's home studio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everybody Takes a Tumble</span> 2007 single by The Waterboys

"Everybody Takes a Tumble" is a song from Scottish-Irish folk rock band The Waterboys, released as the only single from their ninth studio album Book of Lightning. It was written by Mike Scott and Anthony Thistlethwaite, and produced by Scott and Phil Tennant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Whole of the Moon</span> 1985 single by the Waterboys

"The Whole of the Moon" is a song by Scottish band the Waterboys, released as a single from their album This Is the Sea in October 1985. It is a classic of the band's repertoire and has been consistently played at live shows ever since its release. Written and produced by Mike Scott, the subject of the song has inspired some speculation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Long Will I Love You?</span> 1990 single by the Waterboys

"How Long Will I Love You?" is a song by folk rock band the Waterboys from their fifth studio album, Room to Roam (1990). Written by Mike Scott, it was released as the album's lead single. The song was subsequently covered by English singer Ellie Goulding and released as the second single from her album Halcyon Days (2013). Goulding's version is included on the soundtrack to the 2013 film About Time, which also features a different cover by Jon Boden, Sam Sweeney and Ben Coleman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vinnie Kilduff</span> Musical artist

Vinnie Kilduff is an Irish multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, primarily known for his work with U2, The Waterboys, Clannad and Sinéad O'Connor. He plays whistle, uilleann pipes, guitar, mandolin, piano, harmonica, bodhrán and flute. He is described as one of Ireland's best known contemporary whistle players.

"A Life of Sundays" is a song by the Scottish-Irish folk rock band The Waterboys, which was released in 1990 as a track on their fifth studio album Room to Roam. It was written by Mike Scott and produced by Barry Beckett and Scott. In the United States, the song reached No. 15 on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and remained on the chart for nine weeks.

"World Party" is a song by the Scottish-Irish folk rock band The Waterboys, released in 1988 as a track on their fourth studio album Fisherman's Blues. It was written by Mike Scott, Trevor Hutchinson and Karl Wallinger, and produced by Scott. In the United States, the song reached No. 19 on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and remained on the chart for six weeks. It also peaked at No. 48 on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">December (The Waterboys song)</span> 1983 single by The Waterboys

"December" is a song by British band the Waterboys, released on 14 October 1983 as the second and final single from their debut studio album The Waterboys. The song was written and produced by Mike Scott, with additional production by Rupert Hine. A music video was filmed to promote the single.

References

  1. ↑ "The Waterboys". Mike Scott Waterboys. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  2. ↑ "The Waterboys Fisherman's Blues Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". The Irish Charts. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  4. 1 2 3 "WATERBOYS | full Official Chart History". Official Charts. 30 April 1983. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  5. ↑ "News: Waterboys re-release 'Fisherman's Blues'". Melody Maker . 25 May 1991. p. 3.
  6. ↑ Scott, Mike (2017). Adventures of a Waterboy. Jawbone. p. 74. ISBN   978-1911036357.
  7. 1 2 "Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues": They're Playing My Song". Songfacts. 2013-01-03. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  8. ↑ "The Waterboys". Mike Scott Waterboys.com. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  9. ↑ "Images for The Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues". Discogs. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  10. ↑ "Previews: Singles". Music & Media Magazine. 1 January 1989.
  11. ↑ Smith, Jerry (14 January 1989). "A&R: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . p. 21. Retrieved 2 June 2022– via World Radio History.
  12. ↑ Staunton, Terry (25 May 1991). "Singles". New Musical Express . pp. 14–15.
  13. ↑ Gittins, Ian (8 June 1991). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 31.
  14. ↑ "SPIN". SPIN. March 1989. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  15. ↑ "Fisherman's Box". Record Collector. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  16. ↑ Charts.nz
  17. ↑ "The Waterboys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  18. ↑ "The Waterboys Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  19. ↑ "British single certifications – Waterboys – Fisherman's Blues". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 4 August 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.