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The Pogues — The Sunny Side Of the Street
Album: Hells' Ditch
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1129








Released: 1990
Length: 2:33
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Seen the carnival at rome
Had the women I had the booze
All I can remember now
Is little kids without no shoes
So I saw that train
And I got on it
With a heartful of hate
And a lust for vomit
Now I'm walking on the sunnyside of the street

Stepped over bodies in bombay
Tried to make it to the u.s.a.
Ended up in nepal
Up on the roof with nothing at all
And I knew that day
I was going to stay
Right where I am, on the sunnyside of the street

Been in a palace, been in a jail
I just don't want to be reborn a snail
Just want to spend eternity
Right where I am, on the sunnyside of the street

As my mother wept it was then I swore
To take my life as I would a whore
I know I'm better than before
I will not be reconstructed
Just wanna stay right here
On the sunnyside of the street
Comments (130)add comment
 ZenAce wrote:

This world needs more happy songs like this one.



Ever digged into the lyrics?
RIP Shane - thanks for the excellent songs
🖤

this one is not one my favourites from The Pogues, but this man, his tunes and his lyrics will always be in my life. Such a great talent. 
He'll be up there now with all our dearly departed Paddys, having one hell of a hooley.  God bless ye all.
Rest in power, Shane.
RIP Shane MacGowan. Pogue Mahon indeed!
This world needs more happy songs like this one.
 itsme_bygolly wrote:

So much hate for the Pogues. Relax. Have a beer. Then listen.



Make it a Guiness, from the tap 
 itsme_bygolly wrote:

So much hate for the Pogues. Relax. Have a beer. Then listen.


or a whole sixpack:)
I saw the Pogues in Detroit when they were supporting this album (or maybe it was the Peace and Love tour). Anyway, Shane got so wasted early in the gig he spilled a drink all over an amp, causing a small electrical issue. He then stumbled off stage never to return that night. Spider Stacy finished up with the vocal duties that night. A great show regardless of Shane's antics.
So much hate for the Pogues. Relax. Have a beer. Then listen.
 Stingray wrote:

DISLIKE THEM - very much so!

"White ass crackers!"



Póg mo thóin! 
 Stingray wrote:
DISLIKE THEM - very much so!

"White ass crackers!"


 
I sure don't miss this guy. 
 Stingray wrote:

DISLIKE THEM - very much so!

"White ass crackers!"



 
Take heart, Stingy. Like most of the folks on this site, they probably don't like you either.
 railroadwail wrote:
I used to own all the Pogues records.  The wife got them in the divorce.  Sure do miss those records.

 
Bitch
this makes Dylan and Neil at their worst,  sound great.
Not my favorite Pogues song, but still a solid entry.

DISLIKE THEM - very much so!

"White ass crackers!"


Pogues classic!  Back in the day we listened to much Pogues, beach trips, etc. Sunny Side of the Street one of the great ballads.
 
LOVE The Pogues!
I used to own all the Pogues records.  The wife got them in the divorce.  Sure do miss those records.
Do we hear this elsewhere?  NO     Kudos go to Bill AND Rebecca !   You both rock
 
I really have a thing for the Pogues. . . a large hammer to destroy anything they have ever produced if I had my way.

I have even seen them live - they played at a festival I was at and I endured at least 1/3rd of their set before I found the beer tent.

More then horrible. 

 

me -I mean - this sounds kind of sexy

More Pogues any time...
 beeblebrocks40 wrote:
This is a great song  but you should play the Louis Armstrong or Dizzy Gillespie version.
 
That jazz standard is a different song than this oneI guess you know that.

This is a great song  but you should play the Louis Armstrong or Dizzy Gillespie version.
 calypsus_1 wrote:


Shane MacGowan III by *GRhoades
Greg Rhoades  ©2009-2010 *GRhoades

VooDoo 2009

 

Exactly how is it that Shane hasn't terminally pickled his liver by now?


Shane MacGowan III by *GRhoades
Greg Rhoades  ©2009-2010 *GRhoades

VooDoo 2009


 Rotterdam wrote:


Mr. McGowan is... what he is. I love the contrasts in The Pogues music. They can do no wrong for me.
 
Nothing to add, except one should see them live if possible. 

 audiolizard wrote:
Catchy music, horrible voice.
 

Mr. McGowan is... what he is. I love the contrasts in The Pogues music. They can do no wrong for me.
Been in a palace, been in a jail / I just don't want to be reborn a snail...

{#Cool}
yes, it is Polka -Punk but it is not very good... well good is a strong word?
 mirland wrote:

Oh believe me. It's very easy.

 
penny whistles == fingernails on chalkboard

Best band ever!  Sir Shane MacGowan   {#Crown}
Catchy music, horrible voice.
Phlegmaticman wrote:
Is it Guinness time yet?

Always

 TexasAggies wrote:
How can you not like this?
 
Oh believe me. It's very easy.

Yeah, one of my favourie songs!! Great!
 wally42 wrote:
I do have to say, though I like this song there are many better Pogues songs.
 

I agree
 whtahtefcuk wrote:
Pogues Rock!
 
Fixed that for ya. Yer welcome!
 whtahtefcuk wrote:
Pogues Suck!
 
Póg mo thóinín! {#Moon}
Pogues Suck!
Love me some Pogues! Erin go bragh! {#Cheers} {#Drunk}  {#Puke}{#Wink}

also

This guy is on to something! {#Arrowd}



UP THE IRISH
 sunny_day wrote:

Rhetorical question?

 
Until you answered.

When my mother wept it was then I swore I would take my life like I would a whore - - can it get more goosebumping?

Way underplayed: The Pogues.


 Phlegmaticman wrote:
Is it Guinness time yet?
 
Rhetorical question?

 islander wrote:
Observation:  Anywhere else this drunken sluring of a good song would be called karaoke.  But Here it works.  Long live the Pogues!
 
Oh, by Shane's standards, this isn't drunken slurring at all!!!
Is it Guinness time yet?
Observation:  Anywhere else this drunken sluring of a good song would be called karaoke.  But Here it works.  Long live the Pogues!
I like this song, except for the usual Irish Pub voice, sort of growling, scratchy, beery, throaty sort of stuff. But then again, what would Irish music be without such?
Wahoooooo! How can you not like this? Songs like this make life more interesting, IMO. Love it.
wally42 wrote:
I do have to say, though I like this song there are many better Pogues songs.
Definitely agree!
Love this. Hearing The Pogues sing 'The Sunny Side Of the Street' is possibly the single most incongruous activity one can perform. c.
What a great song (especially on a gloomy, rainy day)! Thanks Bill!!!!
Me too!
I love The Pogues!
You're kidding right! rjb4 wrote:
Like the Pogues, but for my money Flogging Molly is a better listen.
rjb4 wrote:
Like the Pogues, but for my money Flogging Molly is a better listen.
SACRILEGE!!
Like the Pogues, but for my money Flogging Molly is a better listen.
I don't know how many times I've thought, "I don't like the Pogues" and then I hear a song and say, hey that's pretty good, later to find its a Pogues tune.... I might have to re-think my dislike of the Pogues.
as much as i like this, im going to admit serious sacrilege. i like the Face to Face cover better.
More Pogues, Paradise, please! The drunker and rowdier the better!
Just heard this song on some SUV commercial... *sigh*
This song has the same melody as part of a a k.d. Lang song released in the late 80s, "I'm Down to my Last Cigarette." It's just done in a country style there.
fredriley wrote:
Pòg mo thòn! :o)
Back at ya!!! Pougues Rule. They so many much better songs. Not to say I do not like this one. Play More
Two thumbs up and toes also!
I do have to say, though I like this song there are many better Pogues songs.
Pòg mo thòn! :o)
Lizard62 wrote:
The boys are doing a few shows in the U.K. this winter, following shows in Japan, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. saw them in SF and LV - absolutely brilliant!!
This song just ups my cheer factor--every single time!
The boys are doing a few shows in the U.K. this winter, following shows in Japan, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. saw them in SF and LV - absolutely brilliant!!
One of the best concerts ever! Run about and buy Rum Sodomy and the Lash. Newly remastered!!.
More of the Pogues please!!!! *hick* and another round!!
-relayer- wrote:
Maybe this would make more sense if I were drunk like the singer.
It does to me!
mysteryplane wrote:
ethajn wrote wrote:
Their vocalist needs to sober up and practice his diction. Their stringed instrument players need to learn a new chord progression. And those penny whistles are mocking me - I just know it. That's 4 annoying songs in a row, right out of the gate. Come on, RP. I expect better from you.
go back to your cube and drink your starbucks, moron.
Haha... well said mysteryplane.
rascal420 wrote:
Reminds me of a slurring Joe Strummer
Strummer produced this one.
ethajn wrote:
Their vocalist needs to sober up and practice his diction. Their stringed instrument players need to learn a new chord progression. And those penny whistles are mocking me - I just know it. That's 4 annoying songs in a row, right out of the gate. Come on, RP. I expect better from you.
Are you kidding? You're kidding, right? Or are you from another planet? Are you sure you should be listening to Rock at all? Maybe you should be listening to elevator muzak.
Maybe this would make more sense if I were drunk like the singer.
ethajn wrote:
Their vocalist needs to sober up and practice his diction. Their stringed instrument players need to learn a new chord progression. And those penny whistles are mocking me - I just know it. That's 4 annoying songs in a row, right out of the gate. Come on, RP. I expect better from you.
go back to your cube and drink your starbucks, moron.
Yayyyyyy!!!! Skokiaan, now Pogues?!?! Wow, life IS good.
ethajn wrote:
Their vocalist needs to sober up and practice his diction. Their stringed instrument players need to learn a new chord progression. And those penny whistles are mocking me - I just know it. That's 4 annoying songs in a row, right out of the gate. Come on, RP. I expect better from you.
When I read your post, I was surprised to see it wasn't by physicsgenius... nice to hear some pogues on RP. And I gotta say, they haven't been the same since sean got booted.
Their vocalist needs to sober up and practice his diction. Their stringed instrument players need to learn a new chord progression. And those penny whistles are mocking me - I just know it. That's 4 annoying songs in a row, right out of the gate. Come on, RP. I expect better from you.
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Somebody close the barn doors and barricade the pub so that these guys don't escape. I'd hate for them to catch up with me when they sober up. Now spin us another Van Morrison tune so that we can really hear the sunnny side of the emerald isle.
pegona wrote:
Does anyone know that song he sings with Sinead O'Connor, "Haunted by the ghost"? I LOVE IT. I can't remember what collection it's on.
It's called "Haunted" and it's on an album called "The Snake" he did with his band, The Popes. That was a typically ballsy move on Shane's behalf fronting a band called the Popes. "You kicked me out of the Pogues? Fine. Meet my new band, The Popes." I think he got the last laugh in the end because he was better without the Pogues than they were without him, although the combination of Shane and the Pogues was magical so it's nice to see them together again. You're right, "Haunted" is a great song. I love the beauty and the beast dynamic of hearing those two voices together.
Shane, we love ya, man "been in a palace, and I've been in jail, just don't wanna be reborn a snail" awesome!
The Pogues are touring. Coming to Boston in March. Google it up.
jacobus wrote:
You are right! MORE POGUES!!!
Amen!
Does anyone know that song he sings with Sinead O'Connor, "Haunted by the ghost"? I LOVE IT. I can't remember what collection it's on.
Gregorama wrote:
He's an Irish James Brown. Rich in feeling, low in diction. Ya gotta love it. Can anybody upload the one about kissing his girl by the gasworks wall, Dirty Old Town?
Very well said. Nice.
jacobus wrote:
You are right! MORE POGUES!!!
Ugh! You're kidding, right?
rascal420 wrote:
Reminds me of a slurring Joe Strummer
well, joe did stand in for shane after the rest of the band dropped him. one of the best shows i ever saw was joe strummer fronting the pogues and the chieftains all on one very tiny stage...
Good stuff
One of the better cuts on an otherwise mediocre Pogues album. Mediocre for the Pogues anyway, meaning it's still pretty decent.
bluedot wrote:
the pogues are a weird mix of the clash and steeleye span.
I kinda like the clash and like steeleye span, but I've never been able to get into these guys
That's a heavy cut. Louis Armstrong and then the Pogues But I like it :-)
SquashSoup wrote:
More Pogues! Pogues every day!!!
You are right! MORE POGUES!!!
Yeah, that's what I call real Irish music ;) The Pogues tastes the best with beer... :D
More Pogues! Pogues every day!!!
Can't get hurt listening to the Pogues. I've seen Shane a couple of times with the Popes and they are a blast - that is when I'm not getting run over in the pit and Shane is actually coherent.
More Pogues!
Bouncy! Just like my cousin, Pogue O'stick.
He's an Irish James Brown. Rich in feeling, low in diction. Ya gotta love it. Can anybody upload the one about kissing his girl by the gasworks wall, Dirty Old Town?
:sunny.gif: :D
Reminds me of a slurring Joe Strummer
rah wrote:
that and the fact he was completely piss-drunk most of the time. :D
It's true! But I LOVE 'em! They rocked in concert.
rah wrote:
more pogues! woo! makes me thirsty for a pint...
Yes, more and more..this great folk rock Irish drinkind tune..Never been in Ireland it just transport me there, better that those young dubliners
the pogues are a weird mix of the clash and steeleye span. hey bill! how about some steeleye span? maddy prior RULES!
rah wrote:
that and the fact he was completely piss-drunk most of the time. :D
Yes, that is a fact. Kate Riordan, Elvis Costello's partner at the time, had to quit the band because she could not keep up/deal with the drinking. I saw some great Pogues shows, but you never knew if Shane would be too drunk to perform.
shari wrote:
It's a miracle that Shane MacGowen could say anything at all, considering his, shall we say, dentally-challenged make-up.--Shari
that and the fact he was completely piss-drunk most of the time. :D
More Pogues! How about Whiskey in the Jar?... which makes me think some Thin Lizzy would be nice too.
Many better songs than this one by the Pogues... but beggars can't be choosers. Fans of the band owe it to themselves to check out the Shane Macgowan Story, a film that's been airing on the Sundance channel.
BigCalm wrote:
It's his careful enunciation of the lyrics that keeps me spellbound ;)
It's a miracle that Shane MacGowen could say anything at all, considering his, shall we say, dentally-challenged make-up. I LOVE this band -- when I speak of them today, most people don't know who they are -- and I still hear their influence in many modern (and some not so modern) bands. Yea! More Pogues! --Shari
more pogues! woo! makes me thirsty for a pint...
Patti_M. wrote:
the Pogues! Probably in the early 70's! :D Patti M. 8^)
Must have been the Pogues avant le lettre :) However, glad you play it :)
It's his careful enunciation of the lyrics that keeps me spellbound ;)
this is why i love RP. from skokiaan to the sunny side of the street. rock on, RP.
Instead of the death penalty we should sentence people to listen to this 24 hrs a day. :roll: