The Kelly Family – Who Will Come With Me (1980): A Timeless Folk‑Pop Classic
Released at the dawn of the 1980s, “Who Will Come With Me”, better known in many regions as “Who’ll Come With Me (David’s Song)”, marked a turning point in the career of the European folk‑pop phenomenon The Kelly Family. Although originally recorded in the late 1970s, the single became one of the group’s first major chart successes in 1980, especially across continental Europe.
This song, with its soulful vocals, warm harmonies and ethnic pop‑folk feel, introduced wider audiences to the family’s unique blend of acoustic tradition and accessible melodies. In many ways, Who Will Come With Me became the song that put The Kelly Family on the map.
🎶 About the Album / Compilation
Although Who’ll Come With Me is primarily known as a single and standout track, it appears on various early collections and LP editions tied to The Kelly Family’s folk catalog around 1979–1980. In particular, compilations such as Lieder der Welt and Songs of the World include the song alongside traditional tunes and covers, showcasing the family’s broad musical interests.
📀 Notable Release Info
-
Primary Label: Polydor (also Kel‑Life on later editions)
-
Genre: Folk / Pop / World Music
-
Era: 1979/1980
-
The single became a Top 20 hit in Germany and hit #1 in the Netherlands and Belgium.
📋 Tracklist (from early LP / Compilations)
The Kelly Family didn’t release a dedicated studio album titled “Who Will Come With Me” in 1980, but the song features on multiple early collections. Below is the tracklist from the LP Lieder der Welt (1979/1980) where this hit appeared.
-
Who’ll Come With Me (David’s Song)
-
Join The Parade (Scotland The Brave)
-
Knick‑Knack‑Song (This Old Man)
-
Old Black Joe
-
The Last Rose Of Summer
-
Mull Of Kintyre
-
The Wearing Of The Green
-
Lord Of The Dance
-
Auld Lang Syne
-
Double‑Decker‑Bus
-
Eagle On The Breeze (Island By The Sea)
-
La Montanara
(Track order varies on some regional editions.)
👏 Album & Single Credits
Performers
-
The Kelly Family (various members contributing vocals and instruments)
Songwriting & Production
-
Composer: Vladimir Cosma (melody)
-
Lyrics: Dan “Papa” Kelly / family arrangements
-
Producer: Jürgen Kramer (on early Polydor releases)
This blend of established melody writing and the Kellys’ own lyrics helped ground the song in tradition while giving it a fresh feel for pop audiences.
🔥 Most Popular Tracks From This Era
While Who’ll Come With Me stands out as the defining track of this period, other fan favorites from early Kelly Family releases include:
-
Knick‑Knack‑Song (This Old Man)
-
Mull Of Kintyre (cover)
-
Old Black Joe
-
Lord Of The Dance
These selections reflect the group’s mix of traditional folk, covers, and original tunes during the late 1970s / early 1980s.
💡 Fun Facts & Trivia
🧒 Youngest Lead
-
The lead vocal on Who’ll Come With Me was sung by John Kelly at around age 12, a remarkable feat for a chart‑topping pop hit.
📺 TV Roots
-
The melody is tied to the soundtrack of the German‑aired adaptation of The Adventures of David Balfour (based on Kidnapped), explaining its alternate title David’s Song.
🌍 International Appeal
-
The song gave The Kelly Family their first international chart success, especially in the Netherlands and Belgium — a huge leap beyond their busking and European touring roots.
❓ Did You Know?
-
The Kelly Family has sold 20+ million records worldwide across decades of releases — a success story that started with early folk‑pop hits like Who’ll Come With Me.
-
Many early tracks were recorded live or in informal studio settings, preserving a raw, authentic sound that endeared them to European audiences.
📊 Album / Single Grossing & Legacy
Official sales figures for Who’ll Come With Me or its LP appearances aren’t widely documented (especially given multiple regional releases and compilation formats). However:
-
The song reached #1 in the Netherlands and Belgium, and Top 20 in Germany — indicating strong European sales and airplay.
-
It became a staple in the Kelly Family’s live performances and a fan favorite long before their later global success in the 1990s.
While not certified with a specific “million copies sold” plaque on its own, its contribution to the family’s cumulative 20 million+ career record sales and 50+ gold/platinum awards underscores its importance.
📌 Summary
Who Will Come With Me (Who’ll Come With Me / David’s Song) remains a key early highlight in The Kelly Family’s long career — a folk‑pop gem that introduced them to mainstream audiences and set the stage for later successes. With its heartfelt performance, international chart impact, and enduring charm, it still resonates with fans old and new more than four decades later.
The Kelly Family — A Unique Music Dynasty
The Kelly Family is one of the most unusual and enduring acts in modern European pop music — a multi‑generational family band whose blend of folk, pop and rock captivated millions across Europe, especially in the 1990s. Despite their global reach and millions of albums sold, they remain relatively unknown in the United States, yet were ranked the 6th most popular music act in Germany in the 1990s.
Origins and Rise
<span style="font-weight:bold">Birth of the Band:</span> The Kelly Family story began long before worldwide fame, rooted in the unconventional — and deeply musical — life of the Kelly clan. Originally from the United States, patriarch Daniel “Papa Dan” Kelly Sr. moved his family to Spain in 1966, where music became both livelihood and passion.
In 1974, the four oldest siblings — Caroline, Danny, Kathy and Paul — formed a group called The Kelly Kids, performing at parties, street corners and local events. They appeared on Spanish television in 1975, and as younger siblings joined, the group evolved into The Kelly Family.
Their early years were nomadic: touring Europe in a double‑decker bus, living on a houseboat, performing on streets and smaller venues, and rising slowly through sheer musical charm and strong family harmonies.
Their first major hit — “Who’ll Come With Me (David’s Song)” — came in 1980, featuring young John Kelly as lead vocalist. The tune reached #1 in the Netherlands and Belgium and entered the German charts.
Musical Style and Appeal
The Kelly Family’s music blends folk, pop, rock, and traditional influences, often with lyrics inspired by personal experiences, family life and spirituality. They sang in English, Spanish, German and Basque, and the band’s image — long hair, barefoot performances, and eclectic, self‑made outfits — became as iconic as their sound.
Their songs frequently addressed themes of love, faith, family, and personal growth, and they became known for heartfelt ballads and joyful group harmonies.
Member Biographies
While many siblings joined at different times and some pursued solo careers or left the band, these are the key figures who defined The Kelly Family:
Daniel “Papa Dan” Kelly Sr. (1930–2002)
Father and guiding force behind the family band, Dan taught his children to sing and play instruments, and managed their early career. Born in Pennsylvania, he initially studied for the priesthood before settling into music and family life.
Barbara Ann Kelly (1946–1982)
“Mama” of the family, Barbara was not only mother to the children but also performed with them until her death from cancer in 1982. Her influence remained strong in later songs like “Mama.”
Kathy Kelly (b. 1963)
Often seen as one of the principal voices, Kathleen Ann “Kathy” Kelly handled vocals, keyboards, violin, accordion and much of the band’s arrangements. She later pursued a solo career, releasing several solo records.
Patricia Kelly (b. 1969)
Maria Patricia Kelly is known for her vocals and guitar work. She also released solo material and remains a key ambassador of the Kelly legacy.
Jimmy Kelly (b. 1971)
Victor James “Jimmy” Kelly contributed vocals and percussion and is known for his creativity in live performances. He has also pursued solo work outside the family band.
Joey Kelly (b. 1972)
Joseph Maria “Joey” Kelly is the band’s primary guitarist and a charismatic performer. He’s also known for his endurance sports endeavours outside of music.
Paddy Kelly (b. 1977)
Michael Patrick “Paddy” Kelly was a standout songwriter and multi‑instrumentalist. He wrote many hits and even left the band briefly to study theology in a monastery before returning to music.
Maite Kelly (b. 1979)
Maite Star Kelly brought energetic vocals and rhythm to the group. She has pursued solo projects and TV appearances and remains one of the most popular family members.
Angelo Kelly (b. 1981)
As the youngest, Angelo grew up in the spotlight, known for his energetic presence and playful personality. He has released solo material and remains active in music.
Barby Kelly (b. 1975)
Known for her soft vocal style and shy stage presence, Barby was part of the group through much of its peak era. She stepped back from performance due to health issues in the early 2000s.
John Kelly (b. 1967)
John played guitar and percussion and served as an early vocal lead on key tracks. He married Spanish opera singer Maite Itoiz and later pursued independent artistic projects.
Discography Highlights
The full official discography includes 22 studio albums, 5 live albums, 7 compilations, and 57 singles.
Key Studio Albums
-
The Kelly Family (1978) – Early recordings with traditional and folk tracks.
-
Wonderful World! (1981) – A mix of folk and pop standards.
-
Over the Hump (1994) – Breakthrough success that sold millions across Europe.
-
Almost Heaven (1996) – Second major hit with soaring pop ballads.
-
Growin’ Up (1997) – Continued the band’s evolution.
-
We Got Love (2017) – Comeback album blending renewed energy and nostalgia.
Popular Tracks
-
“An Angel” – Signature 1994 ballad that remains one of their most recognized songs.
-
“Fell in Love With an Alien” – A quirky, catchy 1997 hit.
-
“I Can’t Help Myself (I Love You, I Want You)” – Another staple from Almost Heaven.
-
“Who’ll Come With Me (David’s Song)” – Their early chart‑topper in Europe.
Notable Concerts & Tours
The Kelly Family became known for not just their recordings but their live performances and tours:
-
1995 Vienna Concert: Performed for an audience of an estimated 250,000 people, one of their biggest appearances.
-
Westfalenhalle Dortmund: Sold out the arena nine consecutive times in 1995 — a feat unique in European concert history.
-
1996 Stadium Tour: Headlined major European venues, cementing their live reputation.
Fun Facts & Trivia
🎵 Multi‑lingual Repertoire: The Kellys didn’t just stick to English — they recorded in Spanish, Basque and German, creating a truly European sound.
👨👩👧👦 Family First: At peak, up to nine siblings performed together, plus occasional appearances by parents.
🚍 Nomadic Origins: The band’s early years were spent touring Europe in a double‑decker bus and living on a houseboat.
🎤 Bohemian Image: Their eclectic style and long hair became emblematic of their outsider, folk ethos.
📀 Impressive Sales: The family has sold over 20 million records worldwide.
Did You Know?
-
“An Angel” was written by Paddy Kelly for his mother Barbara, who passed away from cancer.
-
The Kelly Family once lived on a houseboat in Cologne and performed on streets before signing a record deal.
-
Despite huge success in Europe, they never broke through significantly in the U.S. — largely unknown to American audiences.
The Kelly Family Full Discography
Download The Kelly Familly Albums from Amazon Music
More Albums:
The Kelly Family - Over The Hump (1994)
The Kelly Family - Christmas For All (1994)
The Kelly Family - Almost Heaven (1996)
The Kelly Family - Growin' Up (1997)
