RIP Shane McGowan a genius lyricist
Another Legend Dies
Every year that passes, more legends die. When it comes to song writing, Shane was among the best. The Tipperary blooded crooner was born to be a song writer and from an early age, he was well read. By age 13 he was already reading Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. Like many geniuses, he was flawed and his fatal flaw was the bottle. The smokes didn't help either, but certainly the alcohol consumed over decades drove him to his early grave.
Who am I to cast aspirations though?
What better way to remember Shane than sharing some of his best known songs with The Pogues and others.
Pull a chair and take a few minutes to remember Shane and listen to these few songs.
The Pogues - Sally Maclennane
This song from the 1985 album Rum Sodomy & the Lash (what a name for an album!) is based on a bar his uncle owned in Dagenham. It starts off "Well, Jimmy played harmonica in the pub where I was born
He played it from the night time to the peaceful early morn
He soothed the souls of psychos and the men who had the horn
And they all looked very happy in the morning"
As you can see Shane is a storyteller. Did I tell you he was Irish? 😊
The Pogues - A Pair of Brown Eyes
A classic Shane MacGowan song. Here he's saying that he doesn't need anyone else's hell, he's well able to find his own. There's a great sense of place and time here also with the mix of the old man not able to let go of the past and the young guy not able to cope with the present. Not everyone can get inside the picture that Shane can paint, but when you do, he's some man with the pen.
The Pogues - Fairytale of New York
Nothing says it's Christmas like The Pogues and Fairytale of New York. It is the definitive Christmas song for me and many other Irish people. Many's a great night was had at Christmas with this song blasting out and arms wrapped around friends and loved ones.
I knew Shane was sick and hoped that he'd live to see one more birthday which very fittingly was December 25th, yes the man who wrote the best Christmas song of all time was born on Christmas day.
Sinead O'Connor and The Pogues - Haunted
Shane not only sang beautiful and memorable songs with the Pogues, but sang others with other artists, my favourite being Haunted. It hauntes me that both Sinead and Shane both died recently, Shane today and Sinead on July 26th.
The Pogues - Rainy Night in Soho
I'll leave ye with this one. Released in 1986, two recordings and various mixes of the song were made in the studio.
MacGowan and producer Elvis Costello could not agree on the final cut, one namely Shane wanting the cornet version, and Costello preferring a version with an oboe. Shane won the battle as he often did I reckon.
That's all she wrote folks. I hope you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane.
Rest in Peace Shane and tell Sinead we said hello.
The image is not my own and was sourced here https://thecatholicirishman.wordpress.com/2015/01/03/shane-mcgowan-portrait-of-an-irish-man/
The YouTube videos shared are not owned by me and I am simply sharing great music with the community here on Hive and the video owner will benefit from additional plays
Thanks as always for stopping by everyone.
Peace Out
Shame as I enjoyed his music and shows we are all getting older I suppose.
Ya, you know it occurred to me lately that my Dad, who is alive and healthy must have been to so many funerals over the years and buried so many good friends and family. Tis mad life sometimes, all the ups, all the downs, but ultimately we all leave in a box regardless and everyone close to you will either see you in the box or you them... I guess the take away is to not sweat the small things and be one of the good guys who has time for everyone..
Absolutely right and cherish the things that matter most. I try and skip funerals as they are not my thing and pay my respects privately, but some you cannot skip.
Ok, fair enough, I reckon I must go to at least ten funerals a year. Sad and sombre occasions, though I must say I like to say goodbye to them in my own little way and do like to hear the eulogies.
Irish funerals are famous for their wakes apparently and is more of a celebration. Is that about right or am I wrong?
Ya pretty much, especially in rural locations where the wake is at the family home. It's still terribly sad of course, but food is put on and a drink for anyone who wants one and stories are exchanged about the person who passed away.
A very sad passing. Pity he had to share the limelight with Henry Kissinger on the day of his death. His songs will live on especially A Fairytale of New York which is the Christmas classic.
I hadn't realised Kissinger had died..
He has lots of classics that will live on long after him as you say
It's such a shame man, he was a very talented writer, and to be fair, they say that the most creative people are usually a bit mad.
I've always like The Pogues and you're right, with each year that passes, another legend leaves.
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Yep, he really was, more depth to his lyrics that sometimes meets the eye..
Defo..
I only know a couple of their songs. None of these though I think.
Hopefully you enjoyed some of these ones that I shared so man.
Ehyaaa
I feel for him.
The same feeling I had when we lost one of our musicians too.
I can totally relate.
Thanks for the kind words my friend.
You're welcome 😊
So that's why they played The Pogues in a radio today...
Yep, most probably. There is just something about Shane's voice and lyrics that have always intrigued me. He has a certainly depth, honesty and couldn't give a shit attitude that resonates with me..
Listening to the Christmas song makes me feel more emotional, I love the scene they created in the song but such is life. If Shane would be remembered he will will be remembered for the awesome music he created also... May his soul rest in peace🕊️🕊️
Nice words @ovey10 Thanks for taking the time to stop by with a meaningful comment.
He was the opposite of what any music industry focus group would come up with, but that punk ethos he embodied had so much soul. He gave us so much great music. RIP.
You can say that again, the polar opposite. Authentic and could not give one single shit, I guess that is what was so endearing about him.
My favorite version of Haunted:
Ah yes, a great version, no doubt about it.
As long as there are pubs, people will be singing his songs.
Ya, well said Fergus, cheers man. That sounds like an Irish name to me, are you Irish?