Phil Coulter's most iconic song - and a favourite of US Presidents - showed him the people of Derry weren't "being forgotten".

The Irish musician and songwriter’s career spans over nearly 40 years, writing iconic songs such as ‘Congratulations’ and ‘Puppet on a String’. 

Recalling one of his most iconic songs, ‘The Town I Loved So Well’, Phil told The Anton Savage Show it’s a particular favourite due to its tie of his native Derry. 

“‘The Town I Loved So Well’ may not have sold a million records, but it’s a song that has kind of passed into the public domain,” he said. 

“It’s [also] a song which is, of all my songs, probably the most personal – it has a deeper resonance in my own heart and soul.” 

Phil and Bill

The song has also had deep resonance with other big names, such as former US President Bill Clinton, who Phil would now describe as a “pal”. 

He explained an advisor to Mr Clinton had made him aware of ‘The Town I Loved So Well’, who ended up playing it often to “calm his nerves”. 

“[Mr Clinton] invited me down to perform in the White House,” he said. “I’ve played in the White House three or four times. 

“Indeed, on his last visit to Derry, which was only a few years back, at his personal request, he asked for me to be there to perform. 

“Bear in mind, I grew up at a time when we believed in Derry that we had been forgotten, that nobody knew about us, let alone the President of the United States.” 

Phil also recalled receiving the Freedom of Derry last year and seeing the impact his music still has on his native community. 

“There are awards and then there are awards, but something like that from your own place and your own people was very fulfilling,” he said. 

“The following day, on the afternoon of the Saturday we adjourned to Edmonton Square... there were 3,000 people who turned up for a sing along of ‘The Town I Loved So Well’. 

“That, of all of the times that I've performed that song, whether it be in Carnegie Hall, whether it be the White House, whether it be the Noble Peace Awards, was deeply significant. 

“I'm looking down at generations that are their primary school kids, they’re in their uniforms, [with] their mums and dads, grandmothers and grandfathers - people who had lived through the Troubles. 

“Significantly, when we got to the kind of climax where it goes, ‘I can only pray for what's done is done and what's won is won and was lost is lost and gone forever’ - I'm looking down at grown man in tears in the audience.” 

Across his career, Phil has received a Grammy nomination, 23 platinum discs and five Ivor Novello Awards. 

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