What makes Tired and Emotional by Mary Coughlan notable?

'Tired and Emotional' received critical acclaim and established Coughlan as a significant voice in Irish music, influencing subsequent artists in the jazz and blues scenes. The album's authentic representation of personal struggles resonated with listeners, contributing to a renewed interest in jazz-influenced styles in Ireland during the mid-1980s. Released in 1985, 'Tired and Emotional' was Mary Coughlan's debut album, marking her entry into the music scene after establishing herself as a notable performer in Irish cabaret. At this point, she was transitioning from local stages to a broader audience, setting the stage for her subsequent success in the jazz genre.

How many songs are on Tired and Emotional?

Tired and Emotional has 10 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Tired and Emotional

Mary Coughlan · 1985

34 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A soulful blend of jazz-infused ballads and bluesy storytelling that showcases raw emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Meet Me Where They Play the Blues — This track encapsulates the album’s emotional core, combining Coughlan's powerful vocals with poignant lyrics that reflect longing and nostalgia.
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Delaney's Gone Back on the Wine — Here, Coughlan's delivery captures a sense of vulnerability and sorrow, showcasing her ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet evocative storytelling.
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Mamma Just Wants to Barrelhouse All Night Long — The lively arrangement contrasts with the album’s more somber tracks, illustrating Coughlan’s versatility and ability to blend joy with melancholy.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album combines jazz and blues with personal storytelling, showcasing Coughlan's unique vocal style.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features slower ballads that build emotional intensity, while the second half introduces more upbeat tracks.
Coughlan's vocal delivery often includes spoken word elements, blending storytelling with traditional jazz phrasing.
Several tracks incorporate instrumental solos that extend beyond typical verse-chorus structures, allowing for improvisation.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Double Cross

The narrative shifts from betrayal to acceptance conveys a journey from pain to resilience.

This transformation not only emphasizes personal growth but also deepens the listener's connection to the emotional landscape of the song.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Double Cross 3:51
2 The Beach 3:24
3 Meet Me Where They Play the Blues 4:03
4 Delaney's Gone Back on the Wine 3:42
5 Sense of Silence 3:27
6 Nobody's Business 3:47
7 Mamma Just Wants to Barrelhouse All Night Long 3:38
8 Country Fair Dance 3:26
9 Lady in Green 2:14
10 Seduced 2:25

What to play next

Listen next

Under the Influence

1987

Go back to

Love for Sale

Full Mary Coughlan discography Artists like Mary Coughlan

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata