10 Essential Shane MacGowan Songs You Need to Hear
There was nobody quite like Shane MacGowan. As the frontman of The Pogues, he took traditional Irish music, threw in a healthy dose of punk rock and created songs that could have you dancing one minute and reaching for the tissues the next. His lyrics were full of drink, heartbreak, humour and characters who had seen better days. Here are 10 essential Shane MacGowan songs that show just how good a songwriter he really was.
Fairytale of New York
Probably the most famous Pogues song of them all, Fairytale of New York
is a Christmas classic that sounds nothing like your typical festive tune. Featuring Kirsty MacColl, it tells the story of a couple whose dreams of a better life in New York have turned sour. The mix of Irish folk, piano and orchestral touches works brilliantly, while the back-and-forth vocals make it feel like you're listening to a real argument between two people who still love each other.
A Rainy Night in Soho
If you want proof that Shane MacGowan could write a beautiful love song, A Rainy Night in Soho
is a good place to start. Released in 1986, it's a much gentler affair than the rowdy Pogues songs most people associate with the band. With its slow pace, warm brass and reflective lyrics, the song looks back on a relationship that has survived plenty of ups and downs. It's romantic without being overly sentimental, which is no easy trick to pull off.
A Pair of Brown Eyes
One of MacGowan's finest early songs, A Pair of Brown Eyes
appeared on The Pogues' 1985 album Rum Sodomy & the Lash
. The lyrics move between a conversation with an older man haunted by war and the narrator's own memories of lost love. It's a clever piece of storytelling that reveals more with every listen. Musically, the accordion and traditional Irish folk influences give it a familiar pub-song feel, even though the subject matter is much darker.
Sally MacLennane
After a few slower songs, it's time for something a bit more lively. Sally MacLennane
is The Pogues doing what they did best, mixing Irish folk music with the speed and attitude of punk rock. Released in 1985, the song is packed with accordion, whistles and a chorus made for shouting along to after a few pints. Beneath the fun, though, there's a story about leaving home, returning years later and finding that life has moved on without you.
Dirty Old Town
Although many people associate Dirty Old Town
with Shane MacGowan, it was actually written by Ewan MacColl in 1949 about Salford in England. The Pogues gave it a new lease of life on Rum Sodomy & the Lash
, with Shane's rough-edged vocals bringing out the grit in the lyrics. It's a song about an industrial town, with its factories, canals and working-class life. The band's stripped-back folk arrangement gives it a timeless quality that still sounds great today.
If I Should Fall from Grace with God
The title track from The Pogues' brilliant 1988 album is one of their most explosive recordings. If I Should Fall from Grace with God
combines frantic Irish folk rhythms with punk energy, driven by banjo, accordion and pounding drums. Lyrically, it deals with death, identity and the idea of being laid to rest far from home. It's a serious subject wrapped up in a song that practically demands you get out of your chair and start jumping around.
The Broad Majestic Shannon
Another standout from If I Should Fall from Grace with God
, The Broad Majestic Shannon
shows MacGowan's gift for writing songs that sound as though they've been around for generations. Named after Ireland's River Shannon, it's a nostalgic tale of love, memories and places that stay with you long after you've left them behind. The gentle waltz rhythm, accordion and traditional instrumentation make it feel like an old Irish ballad, with Shane's distinctive voice giving it plenty of character.
The Body of an American
Featured on The Pogues' 1986 album Poguetry in Motion
, The Body of an American
tells the story of an Irish-American boxer whose death brings people together for a proper send-off. There's sadness in the lyrics, but also plenty of drinking, singing and celebrating a life well lived. Musically, it's a lively mix of traditional Irish folk and punk, with a rousing chorus that makes it sound more like a party than a funeral. Fans of The Wire will also recognise it from the series.
Haunted
Originally recorded by The Pogues for the 1986 film Sid and Nancy, Haunted
later became better known through Shane MacGowan's 1995 duet with Sinéad O'Connor. It's a wonderfully catchy love song about being completely taken over by thoughts of someone. Compared with his more traditional folk material, there's a stronger pop influence here, with a bright melody and a slightly dreamy feel. Shane and Sinéad's contrasting voices work surprisingly well together, making it one of his most memorable collaborations.
Streams of Whiskey
We'll finish with a song that captures the wild spirit of the early Pogues. Opening their 1984 debut album Red Roses for Me
, Streams of Whiskey
is a fast, boisterous tribute to Irish writer Brendan Behan, with MacGowan imagining a meeting with him in a dream. It's full of drinking references, humour and a determination to enjoy life regardless of what comes next. The rapid-fire folk instrumentation and punk attitude helped establish the sound that would make The Pogues famous.
Final Verdict
Picking just 10 essential Shane MacGowan songs is never going to be easy, and there are plenty more that could have made the list. What makes these tracks special is the way he could tell a story, whether it was about love, loss, drinking or the people you'd meet in a pub. He could be funny, heartbreaking and completely outrageous, sometimes all in the same song. Few songwriters managed to capture the messiness of life quite like Shane MacGowan, and these songs are a great reminder of why his music will be played for generations to come.
Photo Credit: Marnie Ann Joyce (marniejoyce)
