"The Great Defector" is the lead single from Bell X1's fourth studio album ''

Blue Lights on the Runway ''Blue Lights On The Runway'' is the fourth studio album by Irish band Bell X1. It was released in Ireland on 20 February 2009, and on March 3, 2009, in North America. It is a Choice Music Prize nominated album for Best Irish Album in 2009. ...

''. The single was released in Ireland on 30 January 2009 and internationally on 3 February 2009. It was selected as Tony's Daily Download by Today FM presenter Tony Fenton on 16 January 2009 before its release. Upon its release it reached number three in the

Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is the Republic of Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) and compiled on their behalf by the Official Charts Company. Chart rankings are bas ...

. It reached number one in the airplay charts and the band went on to feature on the cover of '' Hot Press'' the following month. It was Bell X1's most successful single at the time of its release.

Composition and recording

Vocalist Paul Noonan has compared the song's style to that of Talking Heads. The song was recorded in November 2008 in Ballycumber House, "a big, draughty, stately home... ...under the beady gaze of musty portraits of the Lords and Ladies of the estate from the 15th century". Jim Farber of the ''

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'' has praised Noonan's "flair for dialogue and his keen way with a metaphor", claiming "his cruel writing will make you swoon". "The Great Defector" was given its debut live performance on 11 July 2008 during Oxegen 2008 .

Reception

The song has been widely praised in the Irish media; amongst its fans are Today FM presenter Tony Fenton and

RTÉ (RTÉ) (; Irish language, Irish for "Radio & Television of Ireland") is the Public broadcaster, national broadcaster of Republic of Ireland, Ireland headquartered in Dublin. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on RTÉ Television, telev ...

's radio presenter and television chat show host Ryan Tubridy, who has described it as his "favourite hit of the year". A US disc jockey said it reminded him of "late period Talking Heads". ''

Irish Independent The ''Irish Independent'' is an Irish daily newspaper and online publication which is owned by Independent News & Media (INM), a subsidiary of Mediahuis. The newspaper version often includes glossy magazines. Traditionally a broadsheet new ...

'' journalist Eamon Sweeney described it as "an extremely Talking Headish song, but also happens to the best thing on the airwaves at the moment". The song was credited with a renewed surge in demand for tickets to the band's live shows.

Television performances

Following its release, Bell X1 performed "The Great Defector" on '' Tubridy Tonight'' on 21 February 2009. They performed the song on the ''

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'' on 17 March 2009.

Charts

References

External links

Live performance
on '' Tubridy Tonight'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Great Defector, The 2009 singles Bell X1 (band) songs 2009 songs Songs written by Paul Noonan Songs written by David Geraghty