I remember hearing ā Sally MacLennaneā on a late-night āimportā show on the new wave station back in 1985. I was blown away - it was traditional Irish and it was punk, a match made in heaven. I went to New York City so I could buy the album (āRum, Sodomy and the Lashā ) and I think I still know every song by heart.
Some people are afraid to croak, but Jimmy drank until he choked
That was such a beautiful requiem. There are voices you hear and, immediately, feel alive and know to remember that instant - cause you heard something totally unexpected. He infected me with that wildness, you describe. I was a weird, gangly, immigrant kid in Southeastern Appalachia and my cool new friend with the giant mohawk (it was 1988) brought over If I Should Fall from Grace with God. I made her play it until she got mad at me and left. I scraped the funds to buy the tape and, with headphones and Walkman, hid out by the creek, smoking and singing along to Shane, and wildness and freedom, just me and the snapping turtles.
Jenny, this is a beautiful tribute. I have very dear memories of listening to the Pogues in my college years. My best friend and I had many a drunken evening with their music; my friend later died by suicide, so the death of Shane MacGowen evokes for me the earlier loss of my friend. I LOVE your writing; so evocative and unique.
Ok now Iām tearing up again š„¹
Oh the words that he spoke
Seemed the wisest of philosophies
There's nothing ever gained
By a wet thing called a tear
When the world is too dark
And I need the light inside of me
I'll walk into a bar
And drink fifteen pints of beer
I am going, I am going
Any which way the wind may be blowing
I am going, I am going
Where streams of whiskey are flowing
RIP, matey.
I remember hearing ā Sally MacLennaneā on a late-night āimportā show on the new wave station back in 1985. I was blown away - it was traditional Irish and it was punk, a match made in heaven. I went to New York City so I could buy the album (āRum, Sodomy and the Lashā ) and I think I still know every song by heart.
Some people are afraid to croak, but Jimmy drank until he choked
And took the road for heaven in the morning.
We walked him to the station in the rain
And we kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again.
RIP Shane.
That was such a beautiful requiem. There are voices you hear and, immediately, feel alive and know to remember that instant - cause you heard something totally unexpected. He infected me with that wildness, you describe. I was a weird, gangly, immigrant kid in Southeastern Appalachia and my cool new friend with the giant mohawk (it was 1988) brought over If I Should Fall from Grace with God. I made her play it until she got mad at me and left. I scraped the funds to buy the tape and, with headphones and Walkman, hid out by the creek, smoking and singing along to Shane, and wildness and freedom, just me and the snapping turtles.
Canāt read this without tearing up. And yes, that scene from The Wire is gold.
Jenny, this is a beautiful tribute. I have very dear memories of listening to the Pogues in my college years. My best friend and I had many a drunken evening with their music; my friend later died by suicide, so the death of Shane MacGowen evokes for me the earlier loss of my friend. I LOVE your writing; so evocative and unique.
Right about the Wire usage ...
And A Pair of Brown Eyes is not only stop you in your tracks beautiful but deeper than plenty of stories you could come across any god given day.
The Pogues are first rate. Who will ever forget The Body of an American? An eternal favorite.
Thanks for sharing this tribute. It is touching and has certainly peaked my interest in learning more about the artist and the band's music.
Wow, you write so well ... You just have it with words ...
Thanks for this. Real and raw like Shane McGowan
No no no. The link between McGowan and the stabbed is utterly wrong
Fairytale of New York. A classic.
Another interesting commentary. He wasn't too much on my radar screen, but he is now. RIP.
Beautiful.
I was at that show!
Was the backing band the Rogues or the Popes?
Also, he nearly knocked himself out at the end by hitting himself repeatedly in the head with the mic...
Will never forget it.