It will soon be the tenth anniversary of the first paramilitary ceasefires in Northern Ireland (NI). A whole decade of (relative) peace in our wee Ulster - who would have thought it, eh? Of course, many things have changed in the past ten years. Back in 1994, I had a pseudo-Afro, now I'm receding. Recently I got to thinking about the music of the last ten years, the songs which for me encapsulate this period of history.
So here it is, my soundtrack to the peace process:
Days Like This by Van Morrison
An obvious first choice. A great song from Van the Man. Forever associated with the peace process because of the NIO's ads which started about 1995. Little Protestant boy and little Catholic boy play together, Van sings, tagline "Wouldn't it be great if it was like this all the time?" Or put another way, "Stop killing each other you dumb Paddy bastards". Nice idea, might have worked in the US but not somewhere as cynical as NI.
Things Can Only Get Better by D:Ream
Labour's campaign song of 1997. A bit of an olive branch to Tony Blair, who you may have noticed, I don't like much. Plus D:Ream were from Derry (and they were shite).
Here Comes the Summer by the Undertones
Also from Derry but definitely not shite. A fine song, I included it as a reference to those years in the mid to late 90s when the whole of NI would start thinking "only X weeks till Drumcree" from the moment the Easter eggs were scoffed.
Simply The Best by Tina Turner
As sung by the Orangemen at Drumcree. Unclear what "best" refers to in this context. Best at bigotry? Best at walking into traps?
I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty
There was an "Insight" programme about Billy Wright at the time that he was threatened by the UVF in 1996. They played this at the start of the show. The sentiment seemed to fit King Rat like a glove. Of course, Billy's gone to a better place now (not even Hell is as bad as Portadown).
Beautiful Day by U2
Reminds me of election day 2001 in Omagh. And it was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, the reception on the doorsteps was good all day. The day after though was considerably less than beautiful.
Walk On by U2
Hugely over-used theme tune at the SDLP conference of 2001. Adaptable to other parties as well. "March On" for the Ulster Unionists, "Walk Out" for the DUP, "Whinge On" for Sinn Fein.
Danny Boy by John Hume
As sung at 3 a.m. in the Slieve Donard Hotel, on the day before he gave up the leadership. Big emotional moment for the couple dozen of us still up at that hour. As usual with the great man's singing, enthusiasm far outstripped abilty.