The Irish-Sierra Leonean singer-songwriter and actor Loah has released a cover of the Thin Lizzy song to mark the 40th anniversary of Phil Lynott’s passing.
All proceeds from the cover, an engaged,and emotionally-drenched version in Loah’s typically tender style of the song ‘ Dancing In The Moonlight ‘ will go towards the Simon Community.
The song can be purchased on Bandcamp to raise funds for the charity.
“This beautiful song has lived in my heart and my mind since I was a young ‘un, whether blaring from a speaker on late nights in the endless Dublin summer with friends or in headphones on the bus home from town. It is so romantic and such a sweet homage to the spirit of Dublin, nostalgic and hopeful all at the same time. My mum grew up around the corner from Phil Lynott in Crumlin and his songs always feel like home. He was not just a great rock star and performer but also an incredible songwriter. I love doing Dancing in the Moonlight with Johnny in our own quiet way – the tenderness of the song shines through, his big and beautiful Irish heart.”
Loah is accompanied on the cover by longtime collaborator Johnny Taylor on piano, and the cover was first recorded for a Today FM radio session in 2018, and performed on the The Late Late Show in 2020, as well as on The Heart Of Saturday Night which she co-presented for RTÉ the following year.
Loah has has been performing at the National Theatre’s production of The Playboy of the Western World for the past month.
Loah’s debut album Materia Medica is set to be released in Spring 2026, with tours in Ireland, UK and Europe to follow.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
