The Saints Are Coming

Album: Scared To Dance (1978)
Charted: 48
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Skids were a Scottish Punk Band, led by Richard Jobson, who wrote this song with guitarist Stuart Adamson. In the Sunday Post November 12, 2006, Jobson said that he wrote the lyrics about a friend who had recently joined the British Army and was killed in Northern Ireland.
  • In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, U2 and Green Day recorded a new version of this song in 2006 to raise money for victims of the hurricane. The images of weather-related disaster made the song an appropriate choice, and The Saints are the name of the New Orleans professional football team. It was a big deal when The Saints played again in their home stadium, The Superdome, after it was used to shelter victims of the hurricane and nearly destroyed. On September 25, 2006, U2 and Green Day performed the song when The Saints played there for their season opener on Monday Night Football, which was a nationally televised event and symbolic of the resurgence of the city. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Matt - Salisbury, MD
  • U2 and Green Day's version peaked at #2 in the UK and #51 in the US. It also topped the Canadian chart.

Comments: 1

  • Phil from Neenah, , WiThe first few lines of the song 'House Of The Rising Sun' By The Animals is used for the U2/Green Day Cover.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

Def Leppard Quiz

Def Leppard QuizMusic Quiz

Can you name Def Leppard's only #1 hit in America? Get rocked with this adrenalized quiz.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.