@hotpress: Hi Billy. Glad to be back in Ireland?
@MrWongo: Yeah man, always nice to come here.
@hotpress: Your latest album Here You Are pays tribute to the songs you grew up with…
@MrWongo: I wanted to bring melodies and lyrics back to the public. Music is different now. It’s nice to bring back some of those old classics.
@hotpress: There is a resurgence in the classics. Leonard Cohen was in town again recently…
@MrWongo: That’s what we’re here for! Bring the music to the public and let them know that there’s more than what’s just on the radio.
@hotpress: Who do you like in modern pop music?
@MrWongo: I listen to everything. Whatever is good, you know? I must admit, I don’t buy records like when I was younger. That’s something of the past.
@hotpress: Are you a fan of Frank Ocean? He did pocket your surname, after all…
@MrWongo: The world is big enough for both of us! I don’t even know who he is!
@hotpress: Really?
@MrWongo: My kids told me about him. I don’t know what he looks like! I don’t know who my kids are anymore. I’ve got a lot of explaining to do to my wife…
@hotpress: When the going gets tough, what does Billy Ocean do?
@MrWongo: I do like what I tell everybody to do – the tough gets going!
@hotpress: Have you heard Boyzone’s version?
@MrWongo: Yes! I met them, nice bunch of guys. It was for charitable cause and gave me another three weeks at #1 so it’s all good!
@hotpress: Do you check out all the covers of your own songs?
@MrWongo. Yeah… some of them are terrible, really! How people interpret your work isn’t always how you expect it. Boyzone’s was one of the best.
@hotpress: You were fired from your job as a tailor the same day your first song was played on radio…
@MrWongo: I was! It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I wasn’t a company man, I suppose. I wanted to pursue my music so they did me a favour.

Here You Are is out now