Suzanne Rhatigan
SUZANNE RHATIGAN singer songwriter
suzannerhatigan.com
Suzanne Rhatigan writes and performs her unique music enhanced by wide experience in every area of contemporary music.
Suzanne has never been afraid to take chances, sonically, lyrically and performance, bending folk songwriting in a range of genres; alternative, jazz, r&b and electronica, but it is the song and her unmistakeable voice which remains at its heart
A brief history
Starting her singing career in Dublin as a guest singer with showband legends Daddy Cool and the Lolipops in the early 80’s, teenager Suzanne Rhatigan was spotted by producer Deke ‘Brien and began a recording career which has taken her to London, New York, Sydney and points between in a career as a singer and songwriter spanning 40 years.
A brief history
Starting her singing career in Dublin as a guest singer with showband legends Daddy Cool and the Lolipops in the early 80’s, teenager Suzanne Rhatigan was spotted by producer Deke O'Brien and began a recording career which has taken her to London, New York, Sydney and points between in a career as a singer and songwriter spanning 40 years. Scroll down for more detailed history ….
"Rhatigan's sharp, intense little vignettes will swoop and growl their way into your bones."
TIME OUT
“Suzanne Rhatigan will put goosebumps on your goosebumps”
HOT PRESS
‘Suzanne's songs delve into the politics, pleasures and terrors of domestic life. They are as beautiful as they are funny, as tender as they are brutally honest and her voice is a thing of wonder’ Michael J Sheehy
Today…
Suzanne has recently been playing live in the UK and Ireland performing new material and songs from her 50 Greatest Misses blog a chronicle of her adventures and misadventures in music featuring recordings not available elsewhere. https://www.suzannerhatigan.com/blog
Her live set also includes a range of covers adapted to her unique alt blues, folk style. She accompanies herself on guitar, piano and harmonica.
News
Following the launch in October 2025, of Pat Ingoldsby’s posthumous poetry collection Out Of The Blue Pink, where Suzanne performed songs she wrote adapted from two of Pat’s poems, she has begun recording a selection of Pat’s poems, beginning with ‘Beautiful Cracked Eyes’, you can hear the track now… suzannerhatigan.com/blog/songs-from-out-of-the-blue-pink/
Scroll down for more background to this project…
After a long hiatus, Suzanne and songwriting partner John Morrison have reconnected and are working on new music.
In 2025 Suzanne collaborated, writing and performing a musical with producer David Barratt. COVID THE MUSICAL. The work is in development for the stage, but meanwhile can be downloaded as an audio book from Apple and Google books
songs are available to stream on Spotify
Music
Suzanne has been uploading some new recordings to Spotify and she also has music available at suzannerhatigan.bandcamp.com including albums, ‘Late Developer’ Organ Records, along with ‘Big Stick’ and ‘DIY’ EPs Cushy Productions
Following the launch last October, of Pat Ingoldsby’s posthumous poetry collection Out Of The Blue Pink, where Suzanne performed songs she wrote adapted from two of Pat’s poems, she has begun recording a selection of Pat’s poems, beginning with ‘Beautiful Cracked Eyes’, which is available to listen to here… suzannerhatigan.com/blog/songs-from-out-of-the-blue-pink/
Songs from Out Of The Blue Pink.
Poetry Pat Ingoldsby Music and Voice Suzanne Rhatigan
My relationship with Pat started when my husband and I moved in next door to Pat back at the tail end of the last century. I was commuting to Dublin from my home in London for the last years of my dad’s life and it was a difficult time.
I often turned to Pat for company, occasionally helping him out with some of the practicalities of life which wasn’t always easy as he was a fiercely independent and singular individual. Pat was very empathetic. I would tell him about the setbacks I was enduring with my music and the toll it was taking on me creatively.
For years after we moved from next door but were still living in the neighbourhood and we had started our family, my career firmly on the back burner, Pat would ask me if I was writing, usually when we bumped into each other at the supermarket. When I told him I wasn’t doing much he would say that’s ok you will. This was huge for me, it was sometimes all I had to keeping me going. Surely if Pat Ingoldsby thought I would write again then I should. When I was at Iast able to tell him I was writing and performing live, he was delighted.
I often thought about writing songs with Pat’s poetry, but it wasn’t till another friend, producer David Barratt, without knowing my relationship to Pat asked if I would recite a poem of Pat’s for his POCORE Substack series 15. Our Exercise For Today by Pat Ingoldsby that the idea of working on songs with Pat’s words started kicking round my head again.
By then Pat’s health was in decline and I decided against asking him if he would be ok with the idea, I kind of bottled it really. Tragically it wasn’t till after Pat died and his partner Vivienne collated a new collection of his poetry, ‘Out Of The Blue Pink’ that I asked if I could work on a couple of poems for the launch last October. I composed music and melody for two pieces, Beautiful Cracked Eyes and See Liz she Spins.
You can listen and download Beautiful Cracked Eyes on my suzannerhatigan.com/blog/songs-from-out-of-the-blue-pink/
I am working on more recordings for this project so watch this space…
My only regret is not getting to play them to Pat.
History…
Having cut her musical teeth in the early 80s doing guest spots for showband legends Daddy Cool and the Lolipops, Suzanne was spotted by music producer Deke O’Brien and given the chance to hone her singing skills in recording studios in Dublin
Suzanne emigrated to London in ’85. After answering an advert in Stage and Television, she became regular session singer for producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman on hits such as 'I should be so lucky' ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ and 'I'd rather Jack than Fleetwood Mac' among a catalogue of others. She went on to forge a successful career as a professional vocalist while finding her feet as a songwriter. suzannerhatigan.com/blog/singing
In the early 90s and Suzanne signed her first publishing deal with Peer Music and then signed as an artist to NY based Imago Records. Suzanne moved to NY to record and her debut album ‘To Hell With Love’ produced by Fred Maher. During the promotion of the album she toured extensively throughout the US, Europe, New Zealand and Australia, Suzanne played live with Jeff Buckley, Mark Ribot, Berni Worrell, Leo Nocentelli and Buddy Miles, John Martyn, Go West, Beverly Craven and Albert King, Saw Doctors, Frames, Spin Doctors and Amy Mann.
During her time in NY, Suzanne’s songwriting shifted from the pop mainstream as she became immersed in the US Alt rock sound of bands like Sonic Youth, Guided By Voices, Breeders and Pavement. Upon returning to London she was introduced to bassist John Morrison (Hefner LCage) and an enduring songwriting partnership was formed. Joined by drummer Bryn Burrows, ‘Rhatigan’ as they became known, quickly attracted the attention of underground godfather Sean (Org Records /Organ Fanzine) Worrall, who released the band’s first recordings, album 'Late Developer'.
Rhatigan the band evolved over the following period, Paul Murphy replaced Bryn on drums and with the addition of other guest musicians on horns and strings, the sound moved on. The songs are at once intimate and epic, as the title track of their mini album released on Cushy Productions 'Big Stick' evinces, through to the fury and whimsy of ep 'DIY'. All of these albums can be downloaded from suzannerhatigan.bandcamp.com
Suzanne hosted live music nights while living in New York, and she was keen to start a similar club in London on her return. She began a monthly live music night ‘Cushy Productions’ at the 12 Bar Club in the West End which ran for 8 years promoting gigs with artists like Hefner, White Hotel, Gina Birch and The Hangovers, Ant, Woodbine, Kurt Wagner (Lamb Chop), Turin Brakes, Rhatigan and more.
In the early 2000s Suzanne returned to Dublin with her young family and between nappies and school runs, has continued to write and record hers and others music in her studio. She has also resumed session singing and voice over work along with audio and video editing services.suzannerhatigan.com/blog/recording-studio
Artist Discography
2026
Beautiful Cracked Eyes Album: Songs from Out Of The Blue Pink
2025
That's Me Album: Covid The Musical) 2025
Reset Rewind Album: Covid The Musical) 2025
Roger and Becky Album: Covid The Musical) 2025
Two Married Beggars Album Bring Your Own Hammer Presents with Michael J Sheehy featuring
Suzanne Rhatigan
2024
D.I.Y’ EP: Rhatigan Cushy 2000 Remastered 2024
2021
Phoenix Island Album Crooked Carty Sings Michael J Sheehy featuring Suzanne Rhatigan
2020
Mystify Album Cooling FX FXU2
featuring Suzanne Rhatigan
Obligations Album Cooling FX FXU2
featuring Suzanne Rhatigan
All Nite Album Cooling FX FXU2
featuring Suzanne Rhatigan
2018
The Arandora Star Album Abbey Wood Jack Hayter Featuring Suzanne Rhatigan
Bigger Than The Storm Album Abbey Wood Jack Hayter Featuring Suzanne Rhatigan
2010
Big Stick Album Cushy 1998 Remastered 2010
2002
Wild West (series 1) Theme Song BBC comedy series with Dawn French and Catherine Tate Co-written and performed by Suzanne Rhatigan
2000
Cures For Broken Hearts Album Antony Harding released on Fortune and Glory Records., Recorded, mixed and featuring Suzanne Rhatigan
1996
Late Developer Album Org Records 1996
Happy Split Single Rhatigan/Dream City Film Club. Org Records
1993
To Hell With Love Album Imago/BMG 1993,
'Unhappy Soul' Rhatigan/Electroscope single Lissy's Records
'B-side' Jack Hayter featuring Suzanne Rhatigan. Audio Antihero
Session Singer...
Regular session singer at PWL for producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman and Phil Harding and Ian Curnow, appearing on records by artists such as;
Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Rick Astley, Bananarama, Sinnitta, Samantha Fox,
Sonia, Reynolds Girls, Roland Rat, Mandy Smith, Pat and Mick, Sabrina, Kakko, Big Fun among others!
Backing vocals for other artists such as;
Roger Waters album Radio Kaos,
Beverly Craven's three solo albums (Sony),
Matt Sharp from US band Weezer,solo album (Maverick Records),
Susannah Hoffs, Buffy The Vampire Slayer movie soundtrack,
Hugh Cornwell ex Stranglers, album,
Ultra Violet 'Kites',
S Express Album,
Betty Boo Album,
Baby Ford Album,
Sunscreem,
Eric Idle,
Hefner,
Ant,
Jack Hayter,
Michael J Sheehy
Session Singer Adverts.....
Lead vocals McDonalds (jingle for French Canada).
Lead vocals and voice over 'Breakfast at McDonalds' (Ireland).
Radio ID jingles for RTE Radio 2 (Ireland).
Lead Vocals for award winning Anchor Butter world wide 'Football and Lawnmowers' singing cows campaign.
Lead vocals for Marks and Spencer (Christmas advert) and Burger King (Christmas).
Vocals Loreal European campaign for 'Ambre Solaire'
Lead vocals Kia promo Ireland
