Phil Coulter is one of Ireland’s most successful songwriters and music producers. He grew up in Derry and now lives in Bray, Co Wicklow. He studied music at Queen’s University in Belfast, where he started his own band within weeks of beginning his first term. Coulter has had an illustrious career since — writing powerful songs such as Scorn Not His Simplicity and The Town I Loved So Well. He co-wrote a number of entries for the Eurovision Song Contest, including Puppet On A String, which was a winner for the UK in 1967. His album Sea Of Tranquility was one of the best-selling Irish albums of all time. His Irish tour, which kicked off last month, runs until New Year’s Day and includes venues such as Harvey’s Point Hotel in Donegal this Wednesday and Cork’s Radisson Blu Hotel on December 3. Visit www.philcoulter.com for more details.

 

What’s the most important lesson about money which your career as a musician has taught you?

Music and songwriting is not a 9-5 job. There are no guarantees and no security. You’re only as good as your last creation.

 

What has the coronavirus crisis taught you about money?

I did my first gig, to limited numbers, last month — 645 days since my last gig. That’s a big gap between lodgements.

 

What was the best thing financially about growing up in Derry?

Growing up in a bleak post-war Derry, which had one of the worst unemployment rates in the UK, I realised that the only way was up. 

 

Do you still carry cash?

I never found it as easy to spend money with contactless cards. I’m old school – so I still need the security of feeling a few notes in my pocket!

 

What’s the most you’d pay for a bottle of wine?

Wine happens to be my drink of choice. In my time, I’ve spent hundreds on a rare bottle for a special celebration. Nowadays I’d go for something in the middle of the wine list – or the house wine if it’s decent. 

 

What’s your favourite coin?

The old silver sixpence with the wolfhound on it. As a kid, we’d go on holiday to Donegal – which was so different and felt like the promised land. The silver sixpence was my weekly pocket money – to be spent in Buncrana, but not all in the one shop!

 

If you could design your own euro note, what image would you put on it?

A Celtic harp – as a nod to our musical heritage.

 

What’s the most expensive country you have every visited?

Some years ago, I did an orchestral concert in Helsinki. After the gig, I bought a round of beers for the musicians. It cost nearly as much as my fee.

 

Your biggest financial mistake?

Trusting my pension fund to a previous investment broker.

 

Are you a spender or a saver?

These days, I am probably more of a spender – it’s a bit late in the day for me to start saving now!

 

Would you buy property now?

Definitely not. I’ve moved house as often as I ever wanted to. Having downsized a few years back, I’m perfectly content where I am now.

 

If you won the Lottery, what would you do with the money?

Help those of my kids who don’t own a house to buy one and then split the rest among them.

 

Do you ever haggle?

I’m useless. At the market in Spain, I’m probably the only guy who pays exactly what the man asks.

 

Your favourite song about money?

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime — a brilliant song about the Great Depression.

 

What three things would you not be able to do without if you were tightening your belt ?

Central heating. My TV subscription. A decent bottle of wine with Sunday lunch.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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