Chris De Burgh
Still High on Emotion
 More of this Feature
• Chris De Burgh: Part One
• Chris De Burgh: Part Two
• Chris De Burgh: Part Three
• Chris De Burgh: Part Four
• Chris De Burgh: Part Five
• Chris De Burgh: Part Six
 
  Related Resources
• Ireland
• Latin America
 
 Elsewhere on the Web
• Chris De Burgh (official site)
 
 

Chris De Burgh - cover of The Road to Freedom I was still in elementary school when I turned on the radio one afternoon to hear this incredible voice, with range, power, and emotion. It was Chris De Burgh singing "High On Emotion." I have been hooked ever since.

De Burgh is best known for his love song "Lady In Red" from 1986, which still gets substantial airplay. He is also the writer and performer of folk ballads that tell stories and discuss social issues, rocking ballads and energetic numbers, and, yes, soulful love songs.

After selling more than 45 million albums, performing 3000 live shows, and receiving 200 gold and platinum discs over his almost-30 year career, De Burgh has launched out with his own label, Ferryman Records, and released his 17th studio album The Road To Freedom. It features 11 new songs penned by De Burgh, and will have many long-term fans nodding in recognition of those heartfelt, acoustic sounds which De Burgh treated us to in his earlier work. He tackles some diverse topics, include the late Eva Cassidy ("Songbird") and Queen Elizabeth the First ("Rose of England"). And, for the hopelessly romantic, "Five Past Dreams" is a sequel to "Lady in Red."

Born in Argentina and living in Ireland since the age of 12, De Burgh (born Davison -- De Burgh is his mother's maiden name which he began using in his 20's) has toured the world, has fans in every part of the globe, and sometimes draws upon those international sensibilities in his songwriting. It is almost fitting in that way, that his first-born child Rosanna Davison would be crowned Miss World in 2003.

I spoke with Chris on the phone from Ireland, where he discussed his approach to songwriting and performing.

Next page > Chris De Burgh: Part Two >