A Pretty Girl 19: Song is about a character starting out in life

“I’VE been writing poetry since Transition Year,” explains Terenure-based singer-songwriter Keith McLoughlin, whose new song ‘A Pretty Girl 19’ was released a couple of weeks ago, reports Ryan Butler.

The song is about a character who is starting out in life as she is working in a bar, doing some teaching, and going to college all at the same time.

The lyrics of the song have been published as a poem in The Sunflower Poetry Review and Digest.

Keith wrote the track with Rohan Healy and Al Quiff at Beardfire Studios. He had the lyrics plus the melody, and the boys made the music for it.

According to Keith, “I have been writing songs for a number of years with different musician friends, including Grace Day and Gillian Tuite, to name but a few. I released my debut album, ‘The Collaborations,’ in January 2023, which included songs I co-wrote with different artists and featured guest singers like Chris Short, Denise Brennan, James Daly, Olivia Burke, and some songs I sang myself.  We did a gig at The Workman’s Club for the album release last year.”

As mentioned above, Keith has been writing poetry since transition year, and “I always wanted to turn some of them into songs but don’t play any music. I sang in the primary school choir, but after my voice broke, I didn’t like the sound of my own voice, so I didn’t bother singing in public.”

He continues, “During COVID, some of my musician friends started working on my poems and lyrics to turn them into songs. I’ve learned so much from them in terms of how to try to make lyrics rhyme, come up with a melody, and sing.”

When asked about the processes he goes through when making these songs, Keith responds by stating that he occasionally co-writes with people and finds a singer to perform; other times he makes the lyrics and melody himself before going to Beardfire where he would provide the vocals and they would make the music and come back to him in a few days with a final mix.

Keith has some gigs planned for July, particularly the ‘Collaboration Showcase’ in the Cobblestone on Smithfield on July 13.

He also hopes to release a second album within the next year or two.

‘A Pretty Girl 19’ released May 19; it is currently available on all streaming services.