The 10 most iconic Shane MacGowan songs
Sometimes, it’s difficult to decipher whether Irish singer-songwriter Shane MacGowan was more notorious than he was musically creative. While obviously, it’s the latter, there was a certain level of endearment regarding his more infamous characteristics. Perhaps it was because it all tied so heavily into his inherent relatability: MacGowan wasn’t perfect, not by a long shot, but there’s no denying that he helped an entire nation to feel a hell of a lot less alone.
The Irish-English singer, musician, and songwriter brought about a revolution in the realm of traditional Irish folk ballads and protest songs, unlike anyone before him. Moreover, drawing inspiration from his profound roots, he conjured a pre-Celtic rural Ireland rapidly fading within his compositions. MacGowan’s writing, much like his persona, was straightforward and edgy yet brimming with raw emotions.
As Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream once rightly said, “His songs, even though they are hard-edged, always have empathy for the characters in them. He has a brutal eye for detail, and he can tell a story in a concise but almost cinematic way using these amazing images that just hit you in the heart with their tenderness and emotion.”
As a person, MacGowan was intensely loved for his humour, charm, and ability to connect with others. When actor Johnny Depp first met the singer, he recalled the moment he instantly “fell in love” with him after watching him play pool with a pint and guitar in his hand. “There are moments in life,” Depp shared, “When you know this will happen one time and one time only, when you get the opportunity to spend time with greatness.”
A carefree soul, MacGowan spent most of his youth and adult life in a reckless way, which, though had consequences on his physical well-being later, couldn’t dampen his spirits. Whenever confronted on this matter, he would come up with creative arguments such as: “The most important thing to remember about drunks is that drunks are far more intelligent than non-drunks— they spend a lot of time talking in pubs, unlike workaholics who concentrate on their careers and ambitions.”
Being one of the early faces of the London Punk scene, he hopped from one band to another, creating some memorable music with The Pogues, The Nipple Erectors and The Popes, followed by a solo career in collaboration with talented artists such as Nick Cave, Kirsty MacColl, Ronnie Drew, and so on. With that, let’s take a look back at his thrilling musical journey.
10 iconic Shane MacGowan songs:
‘That Woman’s Got Me Drinking’
The debut studio album by MacGowan and the Popes, titled The Snake, featured collaborations with Depp along with members from notable bands such as The Dubliners, The Pogues, and Thin Lizzy.
Depp, who appeared in the music video for ‘That Woman’s Got Me Drinking’, once described MacGowan as “a special being and one of the most important poets of the 20th century”. The track itself is lively and upbeat, with a mood captured in a light-hearted and humourous video.
‘I Put A Spell On You’
After parting ways with The Popes in 2005 and briefly reuniting with The Pogues, MacGowan embarked on a solo venture, occasionally collaborating with friends from the industry. One noteworthy project was his rendition of ‘I Put a Spell on You’, originally a 1956 blues ballad by artist Jalacy Hawkins, also known as Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.
MacGowan and his wife, writer Victoria Mary Clarke, were deeply moved by the humanitarian crisis in Haiti following the devastating earthquake in 2010. In response, the couple reached out to their network of friends in the industry, initiating the recording of the track and donating the proceeds to Concern, a charity that supports some of the world’s most impoverished regions, including Haiti.
‘Fairytale Of New York’
Following a brief career setback, The Pogues experienced a resurgence with this particular festive classic. Penned by MacGowan and Jem Finer, the song took on a folkish Irish ballad style and was designed for a duet performance. The group enlisted Kirsty MacColl for the female lead to complement the male vocals.
Released in December 1987, the song swiftly climbed to the number two position in the UK Christmas Charts. Its enduring popularity has solidified its status as one of the band’s defining songs, especially during the festive season, making it a Christmas classic that remains a must-listen.
‘A Pair Of Brown Eyes’
After establishing The Pogues in 1982, MacGowan steered the band toward incorporating more traditional Irish sounds. Despite gaining attention in clubs, the group leveraged the platform provided by UK’s Channel 4 show The Tube to showcase their unique rendition of ‘Waxie’s Dargle’, a traditional Irish folk song, and capture mass attention.
Capitalising on their newfound popularity, the band released their second studio album, Rum, Sodomy & the Lash, in February 1985, featuring ‘A Pair of Brown Eyes’, a composition by MacGowan based on the tune of ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’. Upon its single release, the song marked the band’s first hit, reaching number 72 in the UK top 100.
‘A Rainy Night In Soho’
‘A Rainy Night In Soho’ graced the Poguetry In Motion EP, marking the band’s breakthrough into the UK top 40. However, the EP’s lead track, the unusually poppy ‘London Girl’, overshadowed the exposure of ‘A Rainy Night In Soho’ at the time. Despite this, the song has evolved into a fan favourite over the years.
It stands out as one of MacGowan’s most finely crafted ballads, characterised by piano-framed melodies and poignant, cinematic imagery. Lines such as “Now the song is nearly over /We may never find out what it means /Still there’s a light I hold before me /You’re the measure of my dreams” elevate it among the pinnacle of The Pogues’ repertoire.
‘If I Should Fall From Grace With God’
The title track of their third and arguably most exceptional album, If I Should Fall from Grace with God, is a thrilling illustration of the Pogues’ high-energy fusion of punk and traditional Irish music. MacGowan’s snarling vocals provide a captivating counterpart to Andrew Renkin and James Fearnley’s lively drums and accordion.
The song, revolving around a man’s grim yet matter-of-fact contemplation of disposing of his own corpse, took an unexpected turn when it featured in a Subaru Forester commercial. In this commercial, the song serves as the soundtrack for a hockey mom shuttling her children to and from the rink.
‘Streams of Whiskey’
From The Pogues’ inaugural album, Red Roses for Me, emerges the spirited anthem ‘Streams of Whiskey’, a vibrant homage to the uplifting influence of alcohol. The track initiates with a whirlwind of banjo, tin whistle, and accordion, setting the stage for MacGowan’s distinctive vocals.
In his lyrical narrative, MacGowan recounts a dream-like encounter with the legendary Irish writer Brendan Behan, who imparts a life philosophy centred on embracing the places “where streams of whiskey are flowing”. The lively instrumentation and MacGowan’s charismatic delivery combine to create a musical celebration of the joys and camaraderie associated with the consumption of whiskey.
‘Haunted’
In 1991, The Pogues disbanded as a majority decision ousted MacGowan from the group due to his recurrent inappropriate behaviour. Undeterred, MacGowan swiftly rebounded, forming Shane MacGowan and the Popes the following year. This collaboration endured for over a decade, yielding a remarkable collection of post-punk music.
Originally conceived as a Pogues composition in 1986, ‘Haunted’ is a song that underwent a transformative revival under the aegis of MacGowan and the Popes, who re-recorded it in 1995. Notable alterations included the adaptation into a duet featuring the vocal prowess of Sinéad O’Connor alongside MacGowan. This revamped version found its way into the soundtrack of the 1996 film Two if by Sea and swiftly ascended the UK charts, securing a position at number 30.
‘The Minstrel Boy’
Authored by Thomas Moore, ‘The Minstrel Boy’ stands as an Irish patriotic anthem. Reportedly penned in honour of friends from Trinity College in Dublin who partook in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and lost their lives, the melody carries a traditional essence reminiscent of various other songs.
Embraced by the Irish community, the song found interpretations by numerous artists, including MacGowan. His rendition, released in the waning days with The Popes in 2001, showcases MacGowan’s raw vocal delivery, effectively capturing the essence of Irish glory.
‘Dirty Old Town’
‘Dirty Old Town’ is a song originally written by the English folk singer Ewan MacColl in 1949. However, it gained widespread popularity and recognition when The Pogues released their version in 1985 on their album Rum, Sodomy & the Lash.
The Pogues’ rendition of ‘Dirty Old Town’ is a blend of folk, punk, and Irish traditional music, characteristic of the band’s unique sound. The track reflects on industrial urban life, with vivid and poetic imagery describing the cityscape. It captures a mix of nostalgia, love, and social commentary.
