Sombody's Child - 'Irish Goodbye'
Somebody’s Child is offering a fresh perspective on the expression ‘Irish Goodbye’—the habit of leaving a social event without being noticed.
The Irish rock band, led by Cian Godfrey, is anything but unnoticed. Since their debut album was released in 2023, they have performed alongside The War on Drugs, Bloc Party, and Kings of Leon. In the Irish music scene, they have sold out concerts at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre and played the Main Stage at Electric Picnic.
Their new single, ‘Irish Goodbye’, follows ‘Time of My Life’ and is taken from their highly anticipated album When Youth Fades Away, set for release on 28th March. Uncut Magazine has already described the album as “a reimagining of the Irish coming-of-age story,” adding, “Godfrey extols the redemptive power of romance.”
‘Irish Goodbye’ explores the title’s concept from a more mature perspective. “Is a breath of fresh air within the album itself, and exemplifies the tone and theme of the album best, in my opinion, from a lyrical standpoint. It highlights the transient nature of time, and on some level, it perhaps describes the parting of youth, without notice, at some point, unbeknownst to us,” says Godfrey.
The lyrics take the form of a conversation between an adult and their younger self, reflecting on youth with both nostalgia and regret. “Your heart beats like the ocean / You left the party late / You never were as Irish with goodbyes.” The song captures the bittersweet nature of growing up, as hinted in the album’s title. “Your heart’s still on the fence / But everything I do is for your love.”
Before becoming one of the most exciting new names in the Irish music scene, Godfrey never sought mainstream recognition. “I don’t like the superficial side of things. At the start, I covered my face—I didn’t want to be associated with the music. I do it for myself, and it’s a bonus that people are willing to listen,” he said in an interview with God Is in the TV. Inspired by names like Paolo Nutini, Arctic Monkeys and a variety of artists, Somebody’s Child is building their own path in the Irish rock scene. The new tracks have influences from Kraftwerk and features additional keyboard instrumentation by The Gloaming member Thomas Bartlett (Doveman).
‘When Youth Fades’ Away was recorded in the US with Grammy Award-winning producer Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Frightened Rabbit). “If our first album was about running away, this one is about staying put and reflecting,” says Godfrey. “It’s about letting people in and letting ourselves out.” Following the album’s release, Somebody’s Child will embark on a record store tour across the UK, with a one-off show in Ireland and a tour of Germany in April.
Words by Gabriela Simionato
