Dexys Midnight Runners

Released: July 11, 1980

Songwriter: Kevin Rowland

Producer: Pete Wingfield

Seen quite a bit in my twenty-three years
I've been manic depressive and I've spat a few tears

Spat on and shat on
(Tell me when my light's on)
Would you please tell me when my light turns green?

Spat on and shat on
(Tell me when my light's on)
Would you please tell me when my light turns green?

Rambling and gambling
Just hoping for more
I've been losing and boozing
But I don't know what for

Will anybody help?
(Tell me when my light's on)
Would you please tell me when my light turns green?

It's not that I don't believe in you
Oh, your work's all around for me to see

Won't you please help?
(Tell me when my light's on)
Would you please tell me when my light turns green?

Would you please tell me when my light turns green?
Would you please tell me when my light turns green?

Dexys Midnight Runners (currently officially Dexys, their common nickname; sometimes styled with and sometimes without an apostrophe) are an English pop band with soul influences, who achieved their major success in the early to mid-1980s. They are best known in the UK for their songs “Come On Eileen” and “Geno”, both of which peaked at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, as well as six other top-20 singles.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Dexys went through numerous personnel changes over the course of three albums and thirteen singles, with only singer/songwriter/co-founder Kevin Rowland remaining in the band through all of the transitions and only Rowland and “Big” Jim Paterson (trombone) appearing on all of the albums. By 1985, the band consisted only of Rowland and long-standing members Helen O'Hara (violin) and Billy Adams (guitar). The band broke up in 1987, with Rowland becoming a solo artist. After two failed restart attempts, Dexys was reformed by Rowland in 2003 with new members, as well as a few returning members from the band’s original lineup (known as Dexys Mark I). Dexys released their fourth album in 2012 and a fifth followed in 2016.

more tracks from the album

Searching for the Young Soul Rebels

From the album

Searching for the Young Soul Rebels (1980)

Dexys Midnight Runners popular songs

Tell Me When My Light Turns GreenDexys Midnight Runners

Dexys Midnight Runners

Searching for the Young Soul Rebels