Song Solstice - Summer 2024 - Day 02: Junkster

 

Day 02 - Junkster

The next track of the premiere of the Song Solstice series is a lovely track from a little known Irish band from the 90s called Junkster.

Read on to learn about this gem of a song.

It's not uncommon for bands to be virtually unknown—or underknown—in their own countries but have minor to major success in places outside their home borders. Such was the case for Junkster, an alternative Irish rock band from the mid to late 90s. Junkster found some minor success in areas of the United States with their first and only album, Junkster. Their single, “Slide” was the first song I ever heard from them, seeing the video on a channel called something like The Jukebox or The Box. [There was a list of available videos and you would call the number and enter the code for the video you wanted to see, the charges going to your phone bill.] I found the track cool and interesting and searched out the album, finding it used at a media reseller I frequented when I was a teen living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Upon listening to the album, one track stood out and took me at first listen. That track, and today's feature, was/is “The Only One”.

Cover of one of the US label promotional discs, which is the only way besides 

the European Maxi single to get the Dublin Mix of the song.

Upon doing research for writing this, this wonderful song did crack the Top 40 in Ireland, which I am pleased to know. However, as was for yesterday's track, it pains me so much that this song didn't become a bigger song across the board. This song is a melodic piece of heaven laced with emotion and feels inside the waves of lovely acoustic-based sound. It's honestly a perfect pop track in my eyes, with the ability to pull you in, making you sway with each note. My favorite version of the song is the 'Dublin Mix', which I personally find to be the superior mix to the original. Unfortunately, I cannot include it here for you as I cannot find it on YouTube, so the single/video mix will have to suffice for now.

Beyond the music and lyrics, I really love the vocal melody and the way Deirdre (then O'Neil) sings it. It's brimming with emotion but doesn't fall into the trap of the ballad Power Vocal, allowing the underlying feels to float it along. This is what makes this song so perfect to me: understated vocal filled with emotion carried by a perfectly crafted vehicle of sound. I hope you love it as much as I do.

Lyrics

Don't leave me here

I'm outta control

Keep falling down

Did you have to do that?

Because I'm easy to tease

I'm all locked up, I can't find the keys

I always told you that you'd go far

I'm lying underneath you catching stars

People say you'll never take me with you - will you - will you

If you have to go

Won't you tell me

If you still believe

That I am the only one, the only one

I needed time

I just took too long

I'm falling down

Did you have to do that?

All I needed was everything

I'm all locked up, I can't find the keys

I always told you that you'd go far

I'm lying underneath you catching stars

People say you'll never take me with you, will you, will you

If you have to go

Won't you tell me

If you still believe

That I am the only one, the only one

I never thought you'd be that strong, but I was wrong

I never thought you'd be that strong, but I was wrong

If you have to go

Won't you tell me

If you still believe

That I am the only one, the only one

Don't leave

The only one

Unavailable on streaming services; no website or wikipedia entry. :-(

Discogs | It's also on the soundtrack to 'Urban Legend'

Irish Times: 1997 Piece | 2004 Piece (scroll down to Deirdre McGoldrick)
Blurb about The Joys (pre-Junkster incarnation)

Disclaimer: All photo, music, lyrics, video, and artwork copyrights belong to their respective owners.
Photos, videos, and lyrics used for reference and informational purposes.

I'm not being paid by them to write this. I just love music.

(Posted 23rd June 2024, backdated to 2nd June 2024)