New song by Elle León Gallagher a tribute to Jeremy Burke

A new song by Kilcullen-born singer-songwriter Elle León Gallagher is a tribute to her friend from childhood, Jeremy Burke, who died unexpectedly in 2023, writes Brian Byrne. Music & Memories was released on Spotify and other major music platforms this week. 

The song is a timeline of close friendship and inspiration — Elle has many times related how Jeremy's singing and songwriting were what encouraged her to get into the music that now underpins her own life path.

The lyrics trace memories from a nine-year-old girl writing a Guns N' Roses rhyme on a Valentine card ("You could have laughed straight in my face, but you didn't") through a storyboard of reconnections until the last time Elle saw Jeremy as he was about to do a set at Dublin music venue Fibber Magees ("If I'd known, I'd have stayed out longer, to catch up properly"). It's solid rock storytelling, with just the right level of sentiment that only comes from an appreciation of friendship moments even in a too-short lifetime ("You live on through music and memories.")

The production by Elle herself and fellow Barcelonian Guille Harrison makes the most of a deceptively simple narrative, providing several instrumental bridges that allow for reflection. Overall, it's four minutes of very replayable music.

When news of Jeremy Burke's passing came through in January 2023, Elle wrote a Twitter post saying "I really and truly wouldn't have got into music the way I did if it wasn't for him and I wish I could have told him."

She just did.

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