Irish American punk band Dropkick Murphys released their album, “For the People,” on November 7, 2025. The album consists of 17 songs, and although the YouTube playlist of the album labels the extra tracks as bonus songs, the track list on the band’s merch site has them as a part of the album without any additional labels.
The album is a nod to traditional Celtic sounds and storytelling while putting a modern punk twist on the music. It also deals with a lot of modern issues going on in the world, especially in politics. The band has a clear opinion, and they are voicing it through their music.
“School Days Over” is an Irish song written by Ewan McColl and performed originally by the Dubliners. Since then, it has been covered by a variety of Celtic musicians, now including the Dropkick Murphys. The song talks about a boy going to work in the coal mines after he finishes school. This version does a great job of staying true to the original song while performing it in the voice and style of the Dropkick Murphys.
Fans of Celtic music, from traditional to more modern classics, will love and appreciate “One Last Goodbye.” This song is a tribute to Shane McGowan. He was the lead singer of the Celtic punk band, the Pogues, and he co-wrote the hit single, “Fairytale of New York.” This song has a section that features “Mo Ghile Mear,” a traditional Irish song which is partially based on a Jacobite poem.
“A Hero Among Many” was inspired by the story of Welles Crowther. Crowther was a 24-year-old Boston College alumnus who was working at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He is credited with saving at least 18 lives after Flight 175 struck the 78th floor of the South Tower. Crowther died while helping others.
Overall, this album is a great example of a punk album. It harkens to the true style of punk in terms of having the band’s opinions be heard, especially with everything going on politically. The album is very clearly for one political persuasion, though people on all sides of the political spectrum can relate. None of the songs are labeled as explicit.
Track list:
1. Who’ll Stand With Us?2. Longshot (feat. The Scratch)
3. The Big Man
4. Chesterfields and Aftershave
5. Bury the Bones (feat. The Mary Wallopers)
6. Kids Games
7. Sooner Kill ‘Em First
8. Fiending for the Lies
9. Streetlights
10. School Days Over (feat. Billy Bragg)
11. The Vultures Circle High (feat. Al Barr)
12. One Last Goodbye (Tribute to Shane) (feat. The Scratch)
13. Dropped On My Head
14. Take Your Bow
15. Straight Edge (I Liked You Better)
16. A Hero Among Many
17. Sirens
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