235. Falling Slowly - Inside The Song
19 August 2026
About This Episode
In the first Inside the Song, Fender Jackson takes apart “Falling Slowly”, the song written by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová that became the emotional centrepiece of Once. Using the original recording alongside demonstrations on guitar and piano, Fender explores how the song is constructed — from its deceptively simple opening to its unusual chord voicings, melody, vocal harmony and gradual emotional build. Along the way, he looks at Hansard and Irglová’s contrasting performances and the musical choices that allow two voices and two very different musical personalities to come together. This is not simply the story of a famous Irish song, but a musician’s attempt to understand why “Falling Slowly” works so beautifully.
Fender Jackson
Fender Jackson is a musician, composer, arranger, teacher and broadcaster with more than 35 years’ experience in music, beginning in the late 1980s. After eight years living and working in China, including six years teaching music and performing arts, he is now based in Galway and hosts The Ireland Podcast.
Simon Communities of Ireland is a national network of local Simon Communities working to end homelessness across Ireland. Its member communities provide homelessness and housing services around the country, while the national organisation works on research, policy and advocacy. Simon believes everyone has the right to a secure and affordable home and campaigns for an Ireland where homelessness is rare, short-term and met with a holistic response for people in crisis.