Ignored             Obscured              Restored

Formed in 1985, the Irish rockers—whose sound carried a heavy dose of gospel and soulful uplift — burst onto the scene after years spent busking on the streets of Dublin. Their rise was accelerated by the enthusiastic support of fellow countrymen U2, who championed the band early on.

Their first single, “Don’t Go,” became an instant favorite at home, climbing to #2 on the Irish Singles Chart in consecutive years (1987 and 1988). While it failed to make an impact on the Billboard Hot 100, the song found an American foothold on the Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it reached a respectable #7.

“Don’t Go” is a celebration of life’s simple joys — love, companionship, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments. Its lyrics evoke a serene, sun-dappled world filled with fresh-cut grass, blossoms in bloom, children playing on the beach, and drivers smiling as they pass by. At its heart is a plea to linger in these fleeting moments with the people who matter most, underscored by the recurring, gently urgent refrain: “Don’t go.”

Musically, the track rides a strong, infectious groove, propelled by earnest energy and lifted by a cool, melodic saxophone break that gives it its distinctive character.

The band’s short ‘80s popularity was so pervasive that they were featured on numerous charity compilation albums (Greenpeace Rainbow Warriors) and CD samplers (Details Music Matters series).

Earlier this year, Cherry Red Records released Hothouse Flowers – The Older We Get – The London Years, an expansive overview of the band’s seminal recordings. It’s a welcome opportunity to revisit a group whose early work remains vibrant, soulful, and unjustly overlooked.

Enjoy… until next week.