History of Sorts

The sad news broke today that the Pogues frontman, Shane McGowan, died early this morning.

The news brought me back to my memories of 1988. My best friend Patrick, who sadly passed away earlier this year, asked me if I knew the title of the Pogues single, which was on the radio a lot. (back then, I was the equivalent of Google when it came to music, lol). I knew the song he meant. but I also knew I didn’t like it, in fact I hated it. I was a metalhead; I could never like something like that. So instead of being helpful I decided that if I hate it, all my friend should hate it too, Patrick though insisted, I told him the title was “Rambling boys of pleasure” when I knew the title was “Fiesta.” I figured he would not find the single.

It backfired on me. Because he couldn’t find the single(which I had predicted), he bought the latest Pogues album, “If I Should Fall From Grace With God.”

I put it on for myself. The first track was the title track, “If I Should from Grace with God.” The album also features “Fairytale of New York.” I mean, what sane person could hate that song? Of course, by then, Patrick had discovered the real title of “Rambling Boys of Pleasure.” Throughout the years, I have grown to love the song “Fiesta.”

In my heart, I hope that Patrick and Shane are up there in heaven now, having a Guinness and laughing at me.