Irene Wilde

Album: All American Alien Boy (1976)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by an event that happened when Hunter was 16. At this tender age he was rejected by a girl at Barker Street bus station in his hometown of Shrewsbury. He said his rise to stardom was inspired by this rejection. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander - London, England

Comments: 6

  • Rob from The CotswoldsIrene Wilde as a historical figure didn’t exist but represented someone else who rejected Ian Hunter at the bus station at that time.
  • Rosario from ItalyStunning song!!!
    Also the guitar of Mick Ronson!
  • Johnnyg from IrelandIan Hunter would have been 16 in 1955. Song released in 1976. So Irene Wilde would be 85 or so if she is still with us
  • Ms from Shrewsbury, UkHad a few good times with girls in Barker Street Bus Station myself in the 80's. Never knew this song until today. I also know an irene wilde who would of been 16/17 in 1980..... I will get around to asking her when I see her. not a common name in Shrewsbury so has to be the same one.
  • Jim from Long Beach, CaI loved this song from the live disc, Welcome To The Club. THe funny thing is I was 16 in 1980 and this song reminds me of my first rejection from a chick,It was so tramatic..LOL!!!I got ove it eventually, and have always loved this song..Thanks
  • Paul from Rothesay, Nb, CanadaI have often wondered what Irene Wilde thought of this song when she first heard it.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Michael Bolton

Michael BoltonSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for this talk with Bolton from the '80s when he was a focused on writing songs for other artists.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Concert Disasters

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

Bible Lyrics

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.

Jon Anderson

Jon AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Jon Anderson breaks down the Yes classic "Seen All Good People" and talks about his 1000 Hands album, which features Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Ian Anderson, and many other luminaries.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.