Paul Brady reflects on the inspirations for his writing and the themes he likes to explore through song.
In 1980 songwriter Paul Brady changed his musical direction from traditional to rock music. Since then, he has released two critically acclaimed solo albums and toured with acts such as Eric Clapton and Dire Straits.
To date, three of Paul Brady's songs have been covered by international artists: 'Busted Loose’ by Roger Chapman and Dave Edmonds, 'Night Hunting Time' by Santana, and 'Steel Claw' by Tina Turner.
'Steel Claw’ features on Tina Turner’s 1984 album 'Private Dancer'. The song highlights the difficulties faced by those without power and their inability to break free from the system. Paul Brady likes how Tina Turner played with the lyrics and the melody. She injected lightness into the song,
It had a kind of abandon to it that there wasn't in my version.
Others performing his work has made Paul Brady question if he is the right person to sing his own songs. Sometimes he would like to put down his guitar and act out his song like an actor. He gets this opportunity for his song ‘Hard Station’, which is filmed in the RTÉ television centre and Mount Errol house on the grounds of the RTÉ Donnybrook campus.
An unlimited and constant source of inspiration for Paul Brady’s songwriting is the difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
I want to see people writing songs about people who have made commitments to relationships as opposed to people who are still playing the field.
Songwriting is a therapeutic exercise for Paul Brady,
It forces me to clarify in my mind the actual emotion I'm feeling.
Despite his success, Paul Brady does not want to be a famous rock star.
I would like to be successful as a recording artist, as a performer and as a songwriter, I would like to be financially solvent enough so that I wouldn't have to think about money anymore at least that it wouldn't get in the way of what I wanted to do.
Paul Brady is happy to be able to go about his life unmolested. He does not want to reach a level of fame where he loses his anonymity and becomes public property.
This episode of 'Exhibit A’ was broadcast on 13 January 1986. The presenter is Eamonn McCann.
'Exhibit A: The Arts Show' was a magazine-style programme that looked at the arts in Ireland. Some episodes contained numerous features and reviews, while others focused on specific artists and art forms. There were three presenters: Eamonn McCann, Frances Ruane and Declan Kiberd. Producers included Tom McArdle, Aindreas Ó Gallchóir and Adrian Moynes. It was first broadcast on 1 November 1984 and ran for two series.
