x

McCarthy Amused as Lost 1991 Pop Single Resurfaces - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Mick McCarthy was amused to discover that his 1991 musical collaboration with Eurovision Song Contest winner Linda Martin had recently resurfaced on social media and on various Irish football websites.

Did You Ever?, a cover of the 1971 Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood hit, made number 15 in the Irish charts.

"I wondered when that would appear!” McCarthy laughed. "She went on to win Eurovision, I’ve helped all sorts of people become stars, me!”

When quizzed about his brief pop career the track itself, which can be heard below, was still to have been rediscovered but McCarthy knew just what to expect once it was: "I’ll have the piss ripped out of me good style! But it was for charity.

"It’s one of those things, when things are going well for you they come and ask you if you’ll do it and you wonder at the time. But let me tell you, they had to feed me red wine to get me to sing in the first place.”

He added: "I was involved in the 1990 World Cup one as well, playing the drums, that was perfect for me.

"And at junior school they used to give me a recorder. It was great. I thought they thought I was good with the recorder but it was because I couldn’t sing.”

Irish website Balls.ie caught up with Martin, winner of Eurovision a year later with Why Me?, who recalled how the single with McCarthy came about.

"Isn't it so funny that after 20-odd years a song pops back up? Around Italia 90 I worked with my band at a lot of corporate gigs which had frequent appearances by the Irish football team. So we got to know them.

"Louis Walsh was my manager at the time and he had the brainwave of recording with a footballer. Mick McCarthy was the chosen victim and he was up for a laugh.

"I'd no nerves about the project at all. Louis also found the song which had been a huge hit for Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood.

"Mick flew in on a Sunday, we went into Westland Row with Barry Grace as the producer. Literally recorded it within a few hours. We celebrated in the Trocadero afterwards.

"Mick was totally brilliant, professional and great craic and if truth be known he has a very good voice.

"Yes, it was a huge hit in Ireland and yes, we talked about a follow up, but I went off to do Eurovision etc and suddenly there was no time to record anything else. Yes, I saw a lot of Mick while he was in Ireland. He's a lovely man.

"The last time I heard the song was when I gave a copy to Jason McAteer so as he could play it on the tour bus for the Ireland team.

"I believe Mick was destroyed. When I find a copy, I'll get it burned onto a CD and send it to you. It was a great experience during a magical and much more innocent time.”

Told about the McAteer claims, McCarthy responded: "Let me just tell you, he never played it. It was probably just as well, his place was hanging by a thread as it was!”

What to read next:

Morsy: The Best Spell of My Career and Life
Departing Town captain Sam Morsy has issued a message to fans, teammates, manager Kieran McKenna and his staff following confirmation of his move to Kuwait SC, while the squad and ex-players have paid their own tributes to the Egyptian international.
Town Confirm Morsy Exit For Kuwait SC
Town skipper Sam Morsy’s move to Kuwait SC has been confirmed.
Town Announce Matchday Ticket Prices
Town have confirmed their matchday ticket prices for the Championship season ahead.
Luongo Close to Joining Millwall
Former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo is closing in on joining Millwall following his trial with the Lions.
Eze Nets Twice as U19s Draw Opener at Czech Tournament
Striker Nelson Eze scored twice as an U19 Town side drew 2-2 with hosts Banik Ostrava in their opening match at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Young: Working With McKenna Again Was a Massive Pull
New Blues signing Ashley Young says manager Kieran McKenna played a big part in his decision to join Town having left Everton at the end of last season.
Town Confirm Young Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Forward Roberts Joins Stevenage
Released Blues U21s forward Matty Roberts has joined League One Stevenage following a trial.
Young Close to Completing Town Move
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is close to completing a move to the Blues on a one-year deal.