The 4 of Us
Encyclopedia
The 4 Of Us are a rock
band
from Newry
, County Down
, Northern Ireland
, best known outside Ireland for their output in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Of the four founding members, only brothers Brendan and Declan Murphy have remained continuously part of the group; the occupants of the other positions have varied.
, Songs for the Tempted, with CBS Records
in 1989, with the single
"Mary" * Official Mary video
,becoming one of the most played songs on Irish radio that year. Consequently, the album went double platinum
in Ireland and won Best Album of the Year at the Irish Music Awards, defeating the internationally-known act U2
.
The album Man Alive followed on Sony/Columbia Records
in 1992, and saw the group enter the UK charts for the first time, with the album entering the chart at #64, and the single, "She Hits Me" spending four weeks on the chart peaking at #35.
The band then lost momentum scrapping the release of Amplifier, their proposed third long player but released 2 singles "Change (Amplifier Version)" and "Someone's Got To Lose" Video, in 1997.
They did not separate however, and eventually returned to recording albums, releasing the largely acoustic-based Classified Personal on the FUTURE INC. label in 1999.
in 2000 and included the previously unreleased songs "The Girl Next Door" and "She's So Real" MP3.
In 2003 the single "Sunlight"* Sunlight Live on The Dunphy Show
, which would appear on the 2004 album Heaven and Earth, began to receive airplay and was voted fourth in a poll to find the 'best Irish single ever', conducted by the national radio station
, Today FM
.
In November 2006 the band released their most recent studio album, Fingerprints and followed this with a live album Live At Vicar Street in 2009.
Throughout 2010 / 2011 via * The 4 Of Us Facebook page the band have previewed exclusive content including previously un-released tracks "The Way The River Flows" MP3 and, "I Guess I Wasn't Made For These Times" MP3 which was made available as a FREE DOWNLOAD single for a limited period.
All studio albums have reached the Top 20 in the Ireland.
As of Friday 21st October 2011 Brendan confirmed, via the Gerry Anderson Show on BBC Radio Ulster, that a brand new band studio album is in progress and scheduled for release in 2012. He also mentioned the possibility of a 'Best Of...' compilation in the very near future.
Also via the * Brendan Murphy Facebook page 2 demos "Shadow On The Sun" MP3 , and "Raise The Dead Man" co-written with string arranger Kevin Malpass were previewed.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
from Newry
Newry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, best known outside Ireland for their output in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Of the four founding members, only brothers Brendan and Declan Murphy have remained continuously part of the group; the occupants of the other positions have varied.
History
The 4 Of Us released their first albumAlbum
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Songs for the Tempted, with CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
in 1989, with the single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Mary" * Official Mary video
,becoming one of the most played songs on Irish radio that year. Consequently, the album went double platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
in Ireland and won Best Album of the Year at the Irish Music Awards, defeating the internationally-known act U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
.
The album Man Alive followed on Sony/Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in 1992, and saw the group enter the UK charts for the first time, with the album entering the chart at #64, and the single, "She Hits Me" spending four weeks on the chart peaking at #35.
The band then lost momentum scrapping the release of Amplifier, their proposed third long player but released 2 singles "Change (Amplifier Version)" and "Someone's Got To Lose" Video, in 1997.
They did not separate however, and eventually returned to recording albums, releasing the largely acoustic-based Classified Personal on the FUTURE INC. label in 1999.
2000s
Off the Record, an album of re-recordings of the band's best known songs appeared on EMIEMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
in 2000 and included the previously unreleased songs "The Girl Next Door" and "She's So Real" MP3.
In 2003 the single "Sunlight"* Sunlight Live on The Dunphy Show
, which would appear on the 2004 album Heaven and Earth, began to receive airplay and was voted fourth in a poll to find the 'best Irish single ever', conducted by the national radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
, Today FM
Today FM
Radio Ireland Ltd, trading as 100-102 Today FM is an Irish commercial FM radio station which is available nationally. The station, which commenced broadcasting on Saint Patrick's Day in 1997, can be received nationally and carries a mix of music and talk...
.
In November 2006 the band released their most recent studio album, Fingerprints and followed this with a live album Live At Vicar Street in 2009.
Throughout 2010 / 2011 via * The 4 Of Us Facebook page the band have previewed exclusive content including previously un-released tracks "The Way The River Flows" MP3 and, "I Guess I Wasn't Made For These Times" MP3 which was made available as a FREE DOWNLOAD single for a limited period.
All studio albums have reached the Top 20 in the Ireland.
As of Friday 21st October 2011 Brendan confirmed, via the Gerry Anderson Show on BBC Radio Ulster, that a brand new band studio album is in progress and scheduled for release in 2012. He also mentioned the possibility of a 'Best Of...' compilation in the very near future.
Solo work
In 2010 Brendan Murphy released his first solo album 'Walk With Me'* Live video + short interview , with brother Declan playing on several tracks. Via Brendan's Facebook the non-album song 'She Comes At Night' Video , was made available as a limited FREE DOWNLOAD single in May 2011.Also via the * Brendan Murphy Facebook page 2 demos "Shadow On The Sun" MP3 , and "Raise The Dead Man" co-written with string arranger Kevin Malpass were previewed.
Recognition
- Man Alive was listed at one of QQ (magazine)Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology...
magazine's Top 50 albums of 1992. - In 2009 they were voted No.7 in the Top Irish Bands Ever category along with U2U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
and Thin LizzyThin LizzyThin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
on Irish television's TV3.
Albums discography
- Songs for the Tempted CBS RecordsCBS RecordsCBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
(1989) - Man Alive Sony/Columbia RecordsColumbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
(1992 re-released Feb 1993) - UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#64 - Classified Personal Future Inc (1999)
- Off the Record EMIEMIThe EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
(2000) - Heaven and Earth Future Inc. (2004)
- Fingerprints Future Inc./EMIEMIThe EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
(2006) - Live At Vicar Street Future Inc (2009)
- Walk With Me | Brendan Murphy Solo | Future Inc (2010)
- New The 4 Of Us Studio Album (TBC 2012)
Singles discography
- "I Just Can't Get Enough" (January 1989, IRE #18)Video
- "Drag My Bad Name Down" (March 1989)
- "Mary" (June 1989, IRE #9)
- "Washington Down" / "Possessed" (November 1989, IRE #9)
- "Drag My Bad Name Down (remix)" (March 1990, IRE #6)
- "Mary (Remix)" (May 1990, IRE #9)
- "Baby Jesus" (October 1991, IRE #3)
- "Man Alive" (September 1992)
- "She Hits Me" (February 1993, IRE #16, UK #35)
- "I Miss You" (March 1993, UK #62)
- "Change (Amplifier Version)" Video ,(March 1997, IRE #23)
- "Turn On" (Unreleased Amplifier single 1997) Video
- "Someone's Got To Lose" (September 1997)
- "Maybe It's You" Video ,(April 1999, IRE #12)
- "Change (Classified Personal Version)" (July 1999)
- "Volatile" (February 2000)
- "Mary (Super AD Remix)" (August 2000, IRE #29)
- "Sunlight" (October 2002)
- "Voice On The Radio" (April 2003)
- "U Make Me Feel" (July 2003)
- "What's To Come" (September 2006)
- "Blue" (November 2006)
- "Wildflower" (January 2007)
- "Sound of the UndergroundSound of the Underground (song)"Sound of the Underground" is the debut single by British all-female pop group Girls Aloud, later featured on their debut album of the same name. The song was written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, and Niara Scarlett, and produced by Higgins and his production team Xenomania...
" cover version Video, available on Even Better than the Real Thing Vol. 1Even Better Than the Real Thing Vol. 1Even Better Than the Real Thing Vol. 1 is an Irish charity album featuring a variety of artists performing acoustic cover versions of popular songs. It was released in 2003 by RMG Chart Entertainment Ltd. The songs on the album were recorded live and acoustic on The Ray D'Arcy Show on Today FM.The...
(2007) - "I Guess I Wasn't Made For These Times" (Limited Edition Free Download single May 2011)
- "She Comes At Night" | Brendan Murphy Solo | (Limited non-album Free Download May 2011)*
External links
- The 4 Of Us Official website
- The 4 Of Us Facebook
- Brendan Murphy Official website
- Brendan Murphy Facebook
- The4OfUsTV YouTube
- [ Biography] from Allmusic
- Review of Fingerprints from Hot PressHot PressHot Press is a fortnightly music and political magazine based in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it had a circulation of 19,215 during 2007...
- Review of Fingerprints from The Mail on SundayDaily MailThe Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...