The Swarbriggs

Thomas „Tommy“ Swarbrigg and John James „Jimmy“ Swarbrigg are Irish music promoters and former pop musicians. As The Swarbriggs, they represented Ireland at the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest with „That’s What Friends Are For“. As The Swarbriggs Plus Two, with Nicola Kerr and Alma Carroll, they competed again in 1977 with „It’s Nice To Be In Love Again“. The brothers wrote both songs. They also scored numerous other top 20 chart hit singles in Ireland during the 1970s, including „Joanne“ (a No. 1 hit in 1976), „Looking Through The Eyes Of A Beautiful Girl“, „If Ma Could See Me Now“, „Funny“ and many more. They had over 20 top 20 Chart Entries through the 1970s, which were all self composed.

From 1962, Tommy played trumpet with Joe Dolan’s showband, The Drifters (not to be confused with the American group). In 1969 he and the other backing musicians left to form The Times Showband, with Jimmy added as lead vocalist. The brothers wrote their own compositions, which was unusual for a showband, and they scored numerous hit singles in Ireland. By 1973 they had their own television show on Raidió Teilifís Éireann and worked independently of the showband, leaving altogether in 1975. They retired in 1980 and In later years they had various business ventures, including promoting concerts in Ireland for various Irish and foreign artists, including Smokie, Leo Sayer, Meatloaf (3 tours) The (American) Drifters, Jack L, Albert Hammond, Dermot Morgan, and Richie Kavanagh. The brothers were attributed as the inspiration for the ‚My Lovely Horse‘ music video in the channel 4 television series Father Ted.

The re-written song of The Swarbriggs „If Ma Could See Me Now“ was later heard from the 2002–2008 Mrs Brown’s Boys direct-to-video film series in Ireland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGr11fRS_tM&t=31s

Order of presentation #02

Artist(s) : Tommy Swarbrigg, Jimmy Swarbrigg As The Swarbriggs

Language : English

Composer(s) : Tommy Swarbrigg, Jimmy Swarbrigg

Lyricist(s) : Tommy Swarbrigg, Jimmy Swarbrigg

Conductor : Colman Pearce


That’s what friends are for

When you’re lonely, when you’re blue
When you need someone to talk to
When you need a talkin‘ to
And when troubles full and plenty
Come pilin‘ at your door
That’s what friends are for

Ladies and gentlemen of the whole wide world
If every now and then a single voice was heard
Telling it like it should be, makin‘ it simple and plain
If that man needs a helpin‘ hand
Help him in from the rain

Now I know you, know you well
And I know that you’ve been worryin‘
It’s not hard for me to tell
But I’m standin‘ right beside you
Of that you can be sure
That’s what friends are for

Ladies and gentlemen of the whole wide world
If every now and then a single voice was heard
Telling it like it should be, makin‘ it simple and plain
If that man needs a helpin‘ hand
Help him in from the rain

So remember, take your time
Just be sure and let it harmonise
Yeah, be sure and let it rhyme
I might call on you to see me through
So open up your door
That’s what friends are for
That’s what friendѕ аre for

Final result : 9th / 19

Final points : 68