‘NOW, THE SONG IS NEARLY OVER’

10 of Macgowan’s finest THE POGUES THE SICK BED OF CÚCHULAINN 1985, RUM SODOMY & THE LASH

THE NIPS KING OF THE BOP 1978, TAKEN FROM THE NIPS SINGLE “KING OF THE BOP”

One of four Nips 45s, this bouncy blend of Elvis, Bolan and north London punkabilly is early evidence of Macgowan’s wit, economy and melodic ear.

THE POGUES STREAMS OF WHISKEY 1984, RED ROSES FOR ME

Macgowan’s first masterpiece, a rallying cry to drinkers everywhere, bottles the irreverent spirit of The Pogues’ wild early shows.

THE POGUES THE OLD MAIN DRAG 1985, RUM SODOMY & THE LASH

A novel in song. The haunting drone frames Shane’s brutally brilliant lyric about the dark side of the immigrant experience, as a teenage Irish lad in London discovers streets paved with danger and degradation.

A dramatic, surreal, scabrous tale peopled by mythic Irish kings, rattling death trains, brawling travellers and tenors Richard Tauber and John Maccormack. The banshee sound of The Pogues at full pelt.

THE POGUES A PAIR OF BROWN EYES 1985, RUM SODOMY & THE LASH

A new delicacy and wistfulness enters Macgowan’s writing, in the tale of two damaged would-be lovers set to a tune that seems as old as time itself.

THE POGUES A RAINY NIGHT IN SOHO 1986, THE “POGUETRY IN MOTION” EP

The “Poguetry In Motion” EP contains another classic, “The Body Of An American”, but this cinematic, lightly orchestrated piano ballad is Shane’s most stirringly romantic London song.

THE POGUES THE BIRMINGHAM SIX 1988, IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE WITH GOD

Preceded by Terry Woods’ “Streets Of Sorrow”, Macgowan’s most disgusted and direct protest about “being Irish in the wrong place and at the wrong time” was banned by the BBC.

THE POGUES THE BROAD MAJESTIC SHANNON 1988, IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE WITH GOD

Windblown with melody and melancholy, a tender evocation of Tipperary, and a heartsick song of exile. “I couldn’t play it after he died,” says Spider Stacy. “I had to hold back until I felt strong enough.”

THE POGUES SUMMER IN SIAM 1990, HELL’S DITCH

This drifting, narcoticised, oddly compelling mantra reads as an exit note. A sick and tired Macgowan longs only for the transformative peace of Thailand.

THE POPES THE SONG WITH NO NAME 1994, THE SNAKE

One of Finer’s favourite Macgowan songs, a lovelorn lament struck through with self-recrimination and rousing Irish instrumentation. Solid proof that his muse outlasted The Pogues.