Here we have a documentary featuring the late Shane MacGowan. It takes a look at the life and the works of the controversial artist, musician , singer and song writer. The Documentary is quite an old one from the late Nineties.

The documentary film features Interviews from Shane himself as well as Interviews with his family and some of the well known artists who knew and worked beside him including Christy Moore, Nick Cave, Ronnie Drew, Sean O’Hagan Sinead O’Connor, Bono, and Billy Bragg.

The Life and Songs of Shane McGowan

Who was Shane MacGowan?

Shane MacGowan is a Punk, Folk and Country singer who was famous for his lead role in the London Irish Punk-Folk group The Pogues. However, after his departure from the group in 1990, Shane embarked on a Solo career and has written many wonderful songs. Initially scorned by many for his drinking, Shane eventually was recognised for his lyrical ingenuity and was given a state burial when he died on the 30th of November 2023 after a long period of trouble with his health.

Growing Up

Born Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan, Shane was born in Kent on Christmas Day (25th of December) 1957. His parents Theresa and Maurice moved over to England from Ireland as they moved over to London in search for work. He grew up in England a lot, moving from place to place. His father Maurice worked for the department store Chain C&A’s, so the family moved around a lot. However, he spent good part of his childhood growing up in the family home just outside Nenagh, West Tipperary, Ireland.

He recalls some fond memories of his time in Ireland although was still able to define the countries social problems that needed change. The Family home was very musical and his family members would all take a turn at playing an instrument. Shane was No exception. He recalls that he did his First Gig when he was 3, getting up and singing a song to the entire room. However, this became commonplace for Shane and he grew up with Music being a close companion.

Teenage Years

Shane spent a big part of his later childhood in North London’s White City area in an Irish community. With his father working away a lot, Shane was left to look after his mother who was suffering a mental breakdown at the time. He learned to make money doing all sorts including working in a record shop, doing Bar work and running alsorts of earners down on ‘The Dilly’ where he hung around in his teens taking in the differences between the city life he’d grown accustomed to and Life bacck in Ireland which he was still very much accustomed to.

Shane the Punk

In 1976, when the Punk Rock phenomenon erupted, Shane was right in the middle of it. With everyone getting onboard the DIY punk ethic and starting their own bands, Shane was no different. Along with Shanne Bradley, he formed his own Punk rock group The Nipple Erectors.

Getting Traditional

By the time the 1980s come around, the Post-Punk music scene had became pretty dreadful for those who’d been used to something much better. All they were getting was the cringeful Synth-Pop which was now dominating the charts. For punks like Shane, they needed something better.

In 1982, Shane teamed up with friends and fellow London-Irish musicians Jem Finer, Andrew Rankin, James Fearnley and Cait O’Roirdan. They formed a new band that they named Pogue Mahone, an Irish Gaelic Insult which translates ‘Kiss my Arse’. Mixing the Traditional Irish ballads they’d all grown up with and knew well, with their own Punk style.

Influenced by the Folk Revival groups of a previous generation like The Dubliners, they sung songs about life in London for the Irish. However, unlike the Dubliners and the Behan’s, who romanticised the life with songs of the Irish Heroes digging the roads whilst Building up and tearing England down. They sung songs about the realities of life for the Irish living in 1970s London. Songs about Drinking, Pill-Popping and prostitution. The topics that everyone was aware of yet nobody dared speak of let alone sing about.

The Pogues

This new sound they were delivering appealed to many followers of Punk music and they pulled off some amazing performances. The early group would play working men’s clubs and Irish centres around the United Kingdom, selling out wherever they went. They were soon spotted by young artist, producer and fellow Irishman Declan McManus. McManus, better Known by his stage name Elvis Costello took the band on. Shortening the groups name to The Pogues, they released their First album Red Roses for Me in 1984.

In 1985, they released their Second Album Rum, Sodomy and the Lash which was in my own opinion, their best album.

The Popes

In 1994, Shane MacGowan and The Popes released their debut album The Snake.

Solo Career

After his stint with The Popes, Shane MacGowan reformed his own band and started playing simply as Shane MacGowan.

Shane’s Health

Over the years, Shane has been most commonly known to many just for his health. This is something that the Media have always focused on and played up. However, this is a Shame because he had so much more to offer than the drunken lout image the media always so keenly portrayed.

A National Bard

Despite the original apprehensions and disgust of many Irish people back in the 1980s, Shane grew to be loved by a nation and became a household name in Ireland. When he died in November 2003, he was given a state funeral that paraded through Dublin and brought a bigger turnout than anything Ireland has ever seen.

What did you think?

So, I thought that was quite a good little documentary film to watch even though it’s quite an old one. Although I guess I would say that as I’ve always been a lover of the Pogues and Shane’s music. How about you? What did you think of the film? Did you enjoy it? Or was it not for you? Whatever your thoughts or opinions on the video are, we’d love too read them in the comments below.

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