When most people hear the name John Ireland they immediately think of the mega-hit I Like… from the eighties. This is hardly surprising, as such was the popularity of the song that it was voted into the 702 Solid Gold Top 100 Hits of All Time.
Private and reclusive, this composer and recording artist almost never does interviews or appearances. Much about him remains a mystery, but his career reveals a body of work far richer than his best remembered hit.
Early Career
In 1978, while completing his final year at medical school, Ireland released his debut album Thinking Aloud. It featured the single You’re Living Inside My Head, a haunting arrangement on a Greensleeves theme that reached number 8 on the South African charts. Released by Teal/RCA, the album was distributed in 18 countries worldwide — a remarkable achievement at a time when international markets were unreceptive to South African artists. The record company even concealed his nationality, as his sound was considered distinctly non-local.
Two years later came Revelation, produced by Julian Laxton. The title track performed well on the charts, and the album was again signed to Teal/RCA, recorded at the Videosound facility in Randburg.
Breakthrough
In 1982–83, Ireland self-financed the album John Ireland, which included the mega-hit I Like… and the widely aired I Still Hear You Breathe. I Like… was provocative, sensual, and controversial. Briefly banned on SABC stations, the censorship only heightened its appeal, propelling it to the top of numerous charts.
Later Albums
Freed from major label constraints, Ireland released two more albums in the eighties. She Speaks to Me, recorded in Sweden, reflected a distinctly European sound and produced a successful single of the same name. A mini-album followed, Just Desserts, which included The Apple Song.
Experimentation
In the nineties and early 2000s, Ireland explored instrumental-only work under the name Licky. f., showcasing his synthesising and sequencing skills. He also produced unconventional recordings collected on Exposed. Even he admitted the material was “pretty weird,” and the album was not released to the wider public.
I Like… later featured in the films Spud and Spud 2, starring John Cleese.
Perspective
In a rare interview, Ireland remarked: “I am primarily a composer, who performs and records my own work. If the public latches on to my music, I am frankly surprised. I generally don’t buy popular music and mainly listen to classical music, which is my background.”
Beyond Music
Away from the spotlight, Ireland is a passionate collector of antiques, with a particular interest in 18th-century art and architecture, especially the Georgian period. He has spent years building and detailing a Palladian-style home to house his collection. Alongside this, he has continued to practice medicine, balancing his professional and personal passions.