Hard to beleive someone who could write such beautiful words could screw himself up so badly. Very sad. 
Indeed. That's also why, when i am listening to "It's getting dangerous", "Got to give it up" or "Reneagade", i'm teary eyed!...so many songs seem to relate to Phil Lynott's life...so many touching and beautifully written lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW_pDKKgJ4Y"The man finds himself alone for the first time in his life
He's always got a problem, he's got to work it out wrong or right
He's got to work it out, he's so lonely in the night
He's got to work it all alone"
...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmg52aTlXDA"I've got to give it up I've got to give it up
That stuff
Tell my mama and tell my pa
That their fine young son didn't get far
He made it to the end of a bottle
Sitting in a sleazy bar
He tried hard but his spirit broke
He tried until he nearly choked
In the end he lost his
Bottle drinking alcohol
Tell my brother I tried to write and
Put pen to paper but I was frightened
I couldn't seem to get the words out right
Right quite right
Tell my sister I'm sinking slow
Now and again I powder my nose
In the end I lost my bottle
It smashed in a casbah
I've been messing with the heavy stuff
For a time I couldn't get enough
But I'm waking up and it's wearing off
Junk don't take you far
Tell my Mama I'm coming home
In my youth I'm getting older
And I think it's lost control
Mama I'm coming home"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIM0YfywWDE"He's just a boy that his lost his way
He's a rebel that has fallen down
He's a man that doesn't fit
He's a king but not in this town
To you and me he's a renegade
He's just a boy who has lost his sights
He's a stranger, prowls the night
Check it out, check his face
Look at his eyes, they're so sly
I wonder why he cries from the inside
I wonder why he's a renegade
He's just a boy that has lost his way
He's just a boy, that's all"
Yeah Renegade is a great LP - not a bad song on it - and Snowy White's guitar playing is beautiful - Phil Lynott gave Snowy White some hard times for his lack of image and sure he did have bad taste in clothing - Looked like he went shopping with Dennis Waterman but he played a real subtle and strong guitar style. And sure yeah Tony S I agree Darren Whartons contribution to Angel of Death really upped that song - as did his cocktail jazz piano riffing really make Fats...all good stuff -
I agree with all of this...
If there's one single album that sums up TL... what would that be?
I have to revisit the 70's albums but i would say "Renegade" (not a favourite among Thin Lizzy's fans but probably my favourite) or "Johnny the fox" or "Bad reputation".
The "Live Life" is highly recommended too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1b5_98lY7Y
