Dexys Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen (1982) - Music Video Filming Locations
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Historical Production & Location Reference
| Music Video: | Come On Eileen (1982) |
| Artist: | Dexys Midnight Runners |
| Album Origin: | Too-Rye-Ay (Mercury Records) |
| Director: | Julien Temple |
- 151 Brook Drive at the corner of Hayles Street and Brook Drive: The famous storefront used as the video's backdrop.
- Brook Drive & Austral Street: The corner where the band first encounters Eileen and her friend.
- Hayles Street & Lamlash Street: The corner in front of the vacant lot (now a community gardens space).
Production & Preservation Note: Shot entirely on location in the spring of 1982, this video directed by Julien Temple captures an invaluable visual slice of post-industrial, pre-gentrified South London. While popular perception occasionally associates the track's folk-infused style with Irish backdrops, the production leans heavily into the weathered urban realism of Lambeth's late-Victorian brick tenements. Unlike contemporary American inner-city locations from the same era, which often underwent radical urban redevelopment or demolition, Kennington’s architectural fabric has remained remarkably well-preserved, leaving these iconic street corners instantly identifiable today.
A 1980s Classic Music Video
As one of the most recognizable hits of the 1980s — and a perennial wedding favorite — Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners is as famous for its "dungaree-clad" aesthetic as it is for its catchy fiddle hook. But where was the iconic music video actually filmed?
Kennington, South London - The Real "Eileen" Backdrop
Many fans assume the video was filmed in Ireland, but it was actually shot on location in the Kennington neighborhood of South London, England. At the time of filming, the area had a rough, gritty look and feel to it, but today, walking down these same streets that served as the filming locations for Come On Eileen, the vibe is of a beautiful, spotless neighborhood and apartments / flats are selling for close to $1 million.
Discover the "Undisclosed" Locations
While the famous street corner in front of the local shop is a well-known pilgrimage site for fans, this Then and Now filming locations documentary video reveals several additional filming sites in the area that have not been widely disclosed. As you watch the video, you'll see how these London landmarks have stood the test of time since 1982.
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Dexys Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen - Complete Filming Locations Photo Gallery