Belfast

Album: Love For Sale (1977)
Charted: 8
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Songfacts®:

  • This is certainly the most danceable song you'll ever hear about Belfast, the politically charged capital of Northern Ireland. The lyric is vague, but it seems hopeful:

    Got to have a believin'

    Marcia Barrett, who handled lead vocals on the track, explained to Blues & Soul: "It is strictly non-political and is certainly not provocative in any way. And if you listen to it, you'll know it's not a protest song.

    Yes, people in Britain could have gone against it but happily people have given us the benefit of the doubt and first listened to the words and then decided that the song is valid. Over in Germany, we've even had soldiers come up to us and, because of their experiences in Belfast, thanked us for giving them the song."
  • This was written by the German singer-songwriter Drafi Deutscher and his collaborators James Bilsbury and Joe Menke. Intended for Marcia Barrett solo, it went unrecorded for years until Boney M producer Frank Farian decided to do it with the group. The song continued their run of European hits, giving them their fourth #1 in Germany.
  • This was originally called "Londonderry," but don't even think of trying to squeeze four syllables into that hook.
  • It is doubtful if this song's writers really understood the background to what became known euphemistically as "The Troubles," but if music really is the food of love, it probably did as much to stop the violence as any behind the scenes machinations by the British Government; the IRA agreed to a ceasefire in 1994.
  • Released on the Atlantic label, produced by Frank Farian, and backed by "Plantation Boy," the single runs to 3 minutes 27 seconds. In the USA and Canada, it was not released as a single, nor did it appear on the album, likely because of its political overtones. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 4

Comments: 2

  • Premnath D from KeralaThis song I have been searching .. it resonates subtly with the events that unfolded following British atrocities on the catholic minority of Northern Ireland following its partition from the Protestant England. The hypocrisy of the BBC in creating and airing the video on Indian Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi thus stands exposed.
  • Zabadak from London, EnglandThe non-British nature of the writers was shown up by the lyrics referring to Belfast as a "country", as it is merely a city.
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