VIA PRESS RELEASE | Legendary singer-songwriter Chris Rea is marking the 40th anniversary of his acclaimed album Shamrock Diaries with a special reissue on 1LP green recycled vinyl set for release on 16th May 2025. Released in 1985, the album remains a fan favourite and a testament to Chris’ enduring musical legacy.
Shamrock Diaries was a deeply personal and introspective work, drawing inspiration from Chris’ Irish heritage and his own life experiences. The album’s raw honesty and emotional depth resonated with listeners, solidifying Rea’s reputation as a master storyteller.
Chris Rea’s time in Ireland inspired the material for Shamrock Diaries. In a recent interview included in the 2019 deluxe version, Rea noted the similarities between Dublin and his hometown of Middlesbrough, which had a significant Irish population. Further, Chris has familial connections to Ireland. Two of the album’s most popular songs, “Stainsby Girls” and “Josephine,” were written for his wife Joan and daughter Josephine, respectively.
After his mother passed away, Chris returned to his hometown of Middlesbrough. He told Q magazine that upon his return, he found his childhood home had been demolished. The experience of finding his childhood home missing, after three years of extensive touring in Europe, was so disorienting that it felt like a scene out of a science fiction movie, and inspired him to write “Steel River.”
“Chisel Hill,” another one of Chris’ songs, is named after a house he purchased near Roseberry Topping, a distinctive hill south of Middlesbrough. Chris revealed that “Chisel Hill” is an emotional song for him, as it was written during a happy time in his life, when he had a house, a child, and his career was doing well. He reflected that the person who wrote that song must have been content, and admitted that the song still makes him emotional.
The 40th anniversary of Shamrock Diaries is a testament to Chris Rea’s enduring impact on the music world. His ability to connect with listeners through his heartfelt lyrics and soulful melodies continues to inspire and resonate with fans of all ages.
