Description
The Pogues – The Best Of The Pogues – Vinyl Record
Released in April 1991 on Island Records, The Best of The Pogues is the first official compilation album by the Anglo-Irish folk-punk band The Pogues. By the time of its release, The Pogues had already carved out a singular identity in the 1980s music scene, blending the raw energy of punk with traditional Celtic instrumentation and storytelling. With frontman Shane MacGowan’s gravelly voice and unflinching lyrics at the helm, the band redefined folk music for a new generation, making it wild, political, and deeply human.
This compilation gathers highlights from their early albums—Red Roses for Me (1984), Rum, Sodomy & the Lash (1985), If I Should Fall from Grace with God (1988), and Peace and Love (1989)—into a 14-track snapshot of their most iconic songs. For many listeners, it served as both an accessible introduction to the band and a celebration of their greatest moments.
Key tracks include:
“Fairytale of New York” (feat. Kirsty MacColl) – Arguably the Pogues’ signature song and one of the most beloved Christmas singles of all time. Its mix of gritty realism and bittersweet romance epitomizes MacGowan’s songwriting genius.
“Dirty Old Town” – A moving rendition of Ewan MacColl’s folk standard, given new life through the Pogues’ impassioned performance.
“The Irish Rover” (with The Dubliners) – A joyous, raucous collaboration that bridges two generations of Irish folk rebels.
“If I Should Fall from Grace with God” – A furious, rollicking anthem that exemplifies the band’s punk-meets-trad brilliance.
“The Body of an American” – Later immortalized through its use in The Wire, this track balances raucous energy with a deep sense of loss and longing.
“A Pair of Brown Eyes” – A haunting ballad about memory and heartbreak, showcasing MacGowan’s gift for poetic storytelling.
“Streams of Whiskey” – A boisterous ode to Brendan Behan and hard living, fusing humor with defiance.
The instrumentation throughout—banjo, accordion, tin whistle, mandolin, fiddle, and driving rhythm section—demonstrates the Pogues’ ability to modernize traditional Irish music without diluting its raw spirit. Their sound was as comfortable in punk clubs as it was on folk stages, a duality that gave them unique cultural impact.
The Best of The Pogues was a success, reaching #18 on the UK Albums Chart and eventually going multi-platinum. It became a staple in households and pubs alike, particularly around the holiday season thanks to “Fairytale of New York.” More than just a greatest hits collection, the album helped cement The Pogues as folk-punk icons and ensured their music would continue reaching new generations long after their peak years.
The Best of The Pogues is more than a compilation—it’s a cultural document. It captures a band that reshaped Irish folk for the modern era, bringing grit, wit, and punk energy to timeless themes of love, loss, exile, and revelry. For newcomers, it’s the perfect entry point into The Pogues’ catalog. For longtime fans, it remains a distilled reminder of why Shane MacGowan and his bandmates are celebrated as one of the most original and enduring acts of the 1980s.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Fairytale Of New York
Sally MacLennane
Dirty Old Town
The Irish Rover
A Pair Of Brown Eyes
Streams Of Whiskey
A Rainy Night In Soho
Fiesta
Rain Street
Misty Morning, Albert Bridge
White City
Thousands Are Sailing
The Broad Majestic Shannon
The Body Of An American
