The Pogues

Just sitting here waiting for the new Cave album to drop while spinning the Best of... Pogues. Honestly, I can't help but wonder how the hell Shane is such a freaking genius...

Man, the guy writes lyrics that just blow your mind. I’ve always had a soft spot for those folk melodies, but sometimes you just get that sudden urge to grab a drink and head out to dance some jig, maybe even throw on a kilt, commando style.

You start thinking these tracks are just fuel for a bender, and then Fairytale of New York hits you right in the feels—damn that sentimental masterpiece—along with Waltzing Matilda, and that absolute gem Rainy Night in soha. In my opinion, it’s probably the best song ever written. I mean, the way they layered it with Pips and some postal worker who can't sleep? Total chaos, but brilliant. 😲 It’s wild what can come out of the mouth of a scruffy, drunken little guy like him... seriously, props to Shane. Sometimes it just makes you want to sit there and cry while the rain pours down outside. Life is messy like that.

Why is there zero discussion about the Pogues on this board? Let's change that. We could

well, damn, Summer in Siam just started playing...

gotta go...

For me, they were at their absolute peak when they started messing around on "Peace and Love." They really stepped outside the box—mixing in some jazz, classic rock, you name it. That record was just gorgeous... But obviously, the critics tore them apart and sales weren't exactly through the roof. It felt like they realized they’d been pigeonholed into that folk niche, and if they wanted to stay relevant, they couldn't stray too far from what people expected. They can flirt with different ethnic sounds here and there, sure, but they seemed terrified of touching anything "commercial." I don't know, looking back, everything after that feels a bit like they were selling out, even if there were some decent moments mixed in. It’s always a damn shame when it happens to a punk band, even one as much of a folk-punk outfit as this...
All in all, they're a great band, but I can't shake the feeling they never quite hit their full potential. They could have done so much more than they actually did.

stormyviper11 said:For me, they were at their peak when they started experimenting on "Peace and Love." They stepped away from the usual genre boundaries—mixing in jazz, classic rock, you name it. That record was beautiful... But people tore them apart and sales tanked. It felt like they realized if they didn't stick to that folk label, they'd lose their audience. They can flirt with world music, sure, but nothing too "mainstream." To be honest, everything after that feels a bit like selling out to me, though there were some good moments. It’s always a shame for a punk band, even a folk-punk one.
Overall, they're a great band, but I get the feeling they never quite hit their full potential. They could have done more...

That's definitely their worst album, but it holds their best track. "London You're a Lady" is an incredible song.

For me, Wake of Medusa is easily the best one out there 🙏 🙂

Peace and Love is hands down their best record. I'm totally with Dave on how critics and influencers handled this album. Personally, I loved it back in the day, and even looking back after 15 years, it hasn't lost its edge. If anything, that blend of styles feels way more convincing now than that forced folk sound they sometimes leaned into. They're essentially a straight-up rock band at heart, but everyone got so hung up on the ethnic vibes that they missed what the band was actually capable of. Not to say that style doesn't work for them, but again, I agree with Dave—they really could have leveled up genre-wise. I think the Pogues were one of the greatest bands of the eighties and early nineties, but if they had played around with different sounds, they could've been the next version of The Clash. Honestly, the singer's later choices just prove how much overlap there really was.

The best thing ever... USA

Dave said:For me, they were at their peak when they started messing around on "Peace and Love," trying to break out of those genre boxes. They were dipping into jazz, classic rock—you could hear just about everything. It’s a gorgeous record. But people tore them apart, sales tanked, and they realized they were being pigeonholed into that folk niche. To stay relevant, they felt they couldn't stray from the script. They can flirt with different ethnic sounds, sure, but they wouldn't touch "commercial" genres. I don't know, looking back, everything after that feels a bit like selling out, though there were some nice moments here and there. That’s always the tragedy of a punk band, even if it's folk-punk.
All in all, a great band, but I get the sense they never quite hit their ceiling. They could have done so much more.

Honestly, they went downhill fast. Once Shane left, they thought they could make it if they just cut ties with that drunken mess, but the thing is, that drunk was basically 80% of the engine driving those songs...

I just wish they had pushed those experiments further. You listen to those early tracks and you really feel like you're hearing a band just hitting its stride, like the best was still yet to come...

Dana Anderson4 said:What I mean is, by default, they were a much bigger rocker band, but everyone latched onto that folk vibe and they just couldn't escape it. I'm not saying it didn't suit them, but I agree with Dave—they absolutely could have leveled up genre-wise. I consider the Pogues one of the best bands from the eighties and early nineties, but if they had played around with more patterns, they could have become something like the new Clash.

tooo... 🙏

I'm with you on that. 👍

Ever heard their take on London Calling?

I think Strummer might have even produced most of those albums...

Jeremy Hayes59 said:I honestly think Strummer produced most of their albums...

Give me a break. Strummer only produced Hell's Ditch.

Jeremy Hayes59 said:Have you ever heard their take on London Calling?

I think Strummer might have even produced most of the album...

Haven't yet, but I'm definitely adding that to my must-listen list. Honestly, if you want proof of their heavy rock roots, just listen to how they handled Honky Tonky woman...
it's all there👍

Dana Anderson4 said:Peace and Love is easily their BEST record. I’m with Dave on how critics and influencers handled that album. Personally, I loved it back then, and even 15 years later, it hasn't lost its edge. In fact, that natural crossover sound feels much more convincing now than that often forced folk vibe. They were always fundamentally a much more rock-oriented band, but everyone got hung up on the ethnic stuff and they lost their momentum. I won't say it doesn't suit them, but again, I agree with Dave—they could have really elevated their genre style. I consider the Pogues one of the best bands from the eighties and early nineties, but if they had used more diverse musical patterns, they could have become something like a new version of The Clash. Besides, the singer's later choices prove just how many similarities there actually were.

The best thing...USA

Let's not be ridiculous. Peace and Love isn't their best album, period. Red Roses For Me and rum, Sodomy & The Lash are the standout albums where you can actually hear that heavy punk influence. Even Shane started his career in a punk band called Nipple Erectors. If I Shall Fall... is the most commercial album and the one critics love, but for me, those first two remain the best things they ever did.

Sean Lee7 said:Let’s be real here. Peace and Love isn't their best work, period. For me, Red Roses for Me and Sodomy & The Lash are the peak—that’s where you really hear that punk edge bleeding through. Even Shane started out in a punk outfit called Nipple Erectors. If I Should Fall... is definitely the commercial heavyweight and the critic's darling, but those first two still hold the top spots in my book.

Those first two are great, sure, but they leaned so hard into that folk sound, almost like they were afraid to stray too far from the roots. It felt safe. Once they finally decided to push the envelope and experiment with different textures, things got interesting. I’ve always respected a band that actually evolves instead of just running in circles playing the same three chords. That's why I don't bother with Mejdene anymore😛. I agree though, If I Should Fall... is probably the best

so far..

Dana Anderson4 said:Besides, if you want proof of their solid rock foundation, just look at their cover of Honky Tonky woman...

Totally slipped my mind... that was a killer cover... 👍

Jeremy Hayes59 said:The first two are great, though they felt a bit too heavily influenced by Irish folk for my taste. It’s like they didn't quite dare to push into rock yet. Later on, they decided to test their limits and try different sounds. I’ve always loved it when a band evolves instead of just repeating the same formula (which is why I don't listen to Mejdene anymore😛). For me, "If I Should Fall" is also the best one

so far...

I don't know, Cait O'Riordan leaving and Terry Woods joining made them soften up a bit, which you can really hear on Peace and Love. Just to be clear, all their albums are incredible and they're one of my favorite bands, but the original lineup was just better. They mellowed out after that. But like I said—the weakest album often has the strongest song. Like Sebadoh—their self-titled is their worst, but "Lov Is Stronger" is a killer track. imho. 🙂

I enjoy just about their whole catalog, though "Rum, Sodomy & the Lash" is likely my favorite—but those are really just fine distinctions. The one thing I absolutely cannot stand is that EP with those three dreadful tracks: "Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah," "Honky Tonk Women," and I think it was "London Girl."

Shane's Popes aren't half bad...

I find Peace and Love to be quite lovely as well. Personally, I’d place them among my top three, alongside rum, Sodomy & The Lash, and if I should fall...

though I suppose I enjoy all of them🙂... and Shane's Popes...

Shane's Popes are absolute legends. Did anyone catch them playing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival back in the day? That set was top tier...

Digging this topic up from the archives...
There was a time when I lived and breathed that Irish sound, and obviously, the Pogues were right at the center of it...
Shane is the man.🙂
Someone mentioned their "Best of" collection above... personally, I think "The Rest of the Best" is a much better compilation.
Check out this cool interview... while some people just pretend to be bohemians, for others, it’s a genuine way of life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sirut...eature=related
Either way, Pogues.👍

My absolute favorites are Hell's Ditch and Turkish Song.

Timothy Cox2 said:Here is a decent interview... while some people just pretend to be bohemians, for others, it’s actually how they live their lives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sirut...eature=related

Let me finish the thought with the rest of the interview. 🙏🙏🙏
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM9HcDJ4oMU

The only one I actually know is "Love you Till The end," and honestly? I'm absolutely obsessed with it.🙏

Did he finally get his teeth fixed?? 😬
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au30c9ZMIPg
Just a link here for two absolute legends..

Jeremy Hayes59 said:While I wait for the new Cave release, I've been spinning the Best of... Pogues, and I can't help but think—man, Shane was an absolute genius...

Honestly, the guy writes lyrics that just leave you stunned. I’ve always had a massive soft spot for those folk melodies; they make you want to grab a drink and find somewhere to dance a jig, preferably wearing a kilt, commando style.

You start out thinking the songs are just meant for getting drunk, and then suddenly, "Fairytale of New York" hits you—God, it's so sentimental—or "Waltzing Matilda," or that brilliant "Rainy Night in soha," which might actually be the best song ever written (it's got that bit where Pips and some postman who can't sleep get involved, WTF?? 😲 )... but it's incredible. It’s hard to believe what could come out of the mouth of that little, scrappy, drunken Irish guy... seriously, Shane, hats off to you. There are moments when you just want to sit there and cry while it's pouring rain outside... damn.

Since there haven't been any posts about the Pogues lately, let's break the silence. We

could, I guess, since Summer in Siam has started...

gotta run...

Kilt, commando style 👍 Shane 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙂

Honestly, Hell's Ditch is my absolute favorite. Everything they did after that was just... meh. But everything before it? Pure gold.😍