When “Peaky Blinders” first premiered in 2013, it quickly became a cult classic among fans for its gritty portrayal of 1920s Birmingham and its notorious gang, the Shelby family. Central to the show’s appeal is the charismatic and enigmatic Thomas Shelby, played brilliantly by Irish actor Cillian Murphy. As the show prepares for its upcoming sixth season, fans were delighted to hear that Murphy and Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten collaborated on a new song for the show’s upcoming video game, “Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man”. In a recent interview with NME, the two artists discussed the process of creating the song and how they wanted it to sound “inherently Peaky”.
For those unfamiliar, Fontaines D.C. is a Dublin-based post-punk band known for their raw and energetic sound. When asked to create a song for the “Peaky Blinders” video game, Chatten reveals that they were given complete creative freedom, as long as the song fit within the world of the show. He explains, “We wanted to do something that sounded inherently Peaky, and to be given that freedom was really exciting.”
The result of this freedom is “Puppet”, a haunting and atmospheric track that perfectly captures the dark and brooding essence of “Peaky Blinders”. With lyrics like “I’m hanging on the wire, I’m a puppet in the fire”, the song reflects the inner struggle and turmoil of the show’s characters, particularly Thomas Shelby. Murphy himself has described the song as “dark and menacing”, perfectly encapsulating the tone of the show.
In the interview, Murphy and Chatten discuss the process of creating “Puppet” and how they collaborated to bring their own unique styles together. Murphy, who has a background in music before becoming an actor, explains that he contributed to the song by “speaking a couple of lines and doing some backing vocals”. Chatten, on the other hand, brought his distinct vocals and poetic lyrics to the table, creating a perfect blend of their talents.
One of the most interesting aspects of the song is how it mixes traditional Irish music with a contemporary post-punk sound. Chatten elaborates, “The song has a traditional Irish feel to it, but it’s also got that contemporary edge”. This blend of old and new perfectly reflects the spirit of “Peaky Blinders”, a show that is set in the past but has a timeless appeal.
The collaboration between Murphy and Chatten is a testament to the success and impact of “Peaky Blinders”. The show has not only captured the hearts of viewers but has also inspired artists from different mediums to come together and create something truly special. Chatten admits that he was a fan of the show before working on the song and was excited to be a part of it. “It’s a massive honour to be asked to do something that’s related to ‘Peaky Blinders’,” he says.
As the “Peaky Blinders” franchise continues to expand with the upcoming video game, it’s clear that the show’s influence and popularity are only growing. The collaboration between Murphy and Chatten for “Puppet” is just one example of how the show has become a cultural phenomenon. Fans can look forward to experiencing the world of the Shelby family in a whole new way with the video game, and “Puppet” will undoubtedly add to the immersive experience.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Cillian Murphy and Grian Chatten for “Puppet” is a perfect example of how “Peaky Blinders” continues to push boundaries and captivate audiences. The song’s dark and haunting lyrics, along with its traditional yet contemporary sound, perfectly reflect the show’s themes and atmosphere. With the upcoming release of the video game, fans can expect to see more creative collaborations and exciting projects from the world of “Peaky Blinders”. As Thomas Shelby himself would say, “By order of the Peaky Blinders, this is just the beginning.”

