Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Now, I could always talk about Ireland, Irish traditions, my Irish heritage, being green… but instead, I’m going to tell you about my St. Patrick’s Day regret.
Once upon a time, back when I lived in Toronto, The Pogues were playing on St. Patrick’s Day. I couldn’t find anyone to go with me and I should have just gone on my own. The stars have yet to align to put me in the same place as them doing a show on St. Patrick’s Day, and boy, do I regret not going when I had the chance.
Now, in case you’re unfamiliar with The Pogues, their Irish-based folky, punky Celtic music is absolutely perfect for the season, and I can’t think of a better way I’d like to spend March 17… sometime!
The band name was inspired by the Gaelic term for “kiss my ass” (or so says Wikipedia) and their music, especially the earlier stuff that’s all Shane McGowan, has a great edge to it, lives up to that motto and is so damn catchy. There’s even a Subaru commercial that uses one of my favourite songs, and it makes me want to run right out and buy a Subaru, while listening to The Pogues.
They’ve got a *fantastic* Christmas song, Fairytale of New York, but that’s no good for St. Patrick’s Day. Take a listen to a couple of my favourites (some are NSFW) and see if you aren’t ready to go out and quaff a green beer or a Guinness, maybe dance a little jig…
The Haunting
The Wake of the Medusa
Hell's Ditch
If I Should Fall From Grace With God -- this is an early version, not the kick-ass one on the Subaru commercial :(
