The Pogues - The Old Main Drag

BBC radio session 1985
When I first came to London I was
only sixteen
With a fiver in my pocket and my ole dancing bag
I went down to the dilly to check out the scene
But I soon ended up upon the old main drag
There the he-males and the she-males paraded in style
And the old man with the money would flash you a smile
In the dark of an alley you'd work for a fiver
For a swift one off the wrist down on the old main drag
In the cold winter nights the old town it was chill
But there were boys in the cafes who'd give you cheap pills
If you didn't have the money you'd cajole and you'd beg
There was always lots of tuinol on the old main drag
One evening as I was lying down by Leicester Square
I was picked up by the coppers and kicked in the balls
Between the metal doors at Vine Street I was beaten and mauled
And they ruined my good looks for the old main drag
In the tube station the old ones who were on the way out
Would dribble and vomit and grovel and shout
And the coppers would come along and push them about
And I wished I could escape from the old main drag
And now I'm lying here I've had too much booze
I've been shat on and spat on and raped and abused
I know that I am dying and I wish I could beg
For some money to take me from the old main drag

[@martavarela757]

That was pure McGowan. He could mix the most sordid with the most tender. No other song moves me like this one does.

[@starlodear2987]

This road will never end. It probably goes all around the world.

[@globalhumanism]

It does.

[@boneytony5041]

the world goes round, so I'll go round

[@davidmclintock7581]

The Pogues would be proud of that line

[@patricklink8527]

A road like a f*****-up face . Indeed, you are correct. There is no better song for that movie. Nice job of scoring it. Gus Van Zandt is a genius. He is to film what The Pogues R2 music.

[@makavelli187dy]

Yeah I've been on it for last six months and still never made it 50 yards in any direction.Still trying tho.

[@GubbGaming]

This is the absolute essence of Shanes writing. How to capture the soul and spirit of the era, the people, well... of everything. Rest easy Shane! ❤️

[@kurthauenstein7149]

The most McGowan song he ever wrote I.M.O.

[@kurthauenstein7149]

Popular? NO Amazing, gritty and real?? Oh Yeah!

[@michaeldunney]

Pure genius. Taking the depths of human misery and raising it to the level of Art. His finest hour. The last 'old main drag' is delivered devoid of emotion, flat, dead pan. Shane is off the Scale. Ireland's finest.

[@michaeldunney]

He makes 'The Streets of London' sound like a Butlins romp. Social realism to match James Joyce, but knocked out in about 10 mins.

[@johnpetry5321]

Shawn MacGowan, farewell to a true poet and madman. Thanks for sharing some time with us.

[@beckiesorg5066]

Amen!

[@davidmoore9153]

Well said there will never be another phone had the pleasure of see in in action afew times over the years in Glasgow rip my friend

[@robertlanier3053]

My Private Idaho is what introduced me to The Pogues with this song. R.I.P. River Phoenix😢

[@alias4607]

Something to slowdance to when you have no-one to slowdance with.

[@brendanoconnor6920]

Few song writers can see in the darkness and describe it so vividly as McGowan.

[@susanandrew6453]

So true.

[@rainfallenonmyshoes8471]

Absolutely correct

[@JOJO22858]

One of my all-time favorite Irish dirges. It was also the end credit song for the fantastic 1991 film "My Own Private Idaho" starring the late, great River Phoenix.

[@dnek1644]

My Own Private Idaho brought me here!! R.I.P. River Phoenix

[@joeo1725]

+dnek1 same here exactly. that film though with scruffy river phoenix made me realise how u didnt used to have to be air brushed picture perfect back then to be considered a handsome star.

[@DoctorPretorious616]

I just got back from a free screening of "My Own Private Idaho" at the Main Street Landing Theater in Burlington, VT. HAVE A NICE DAY.

[@reaganwiles_art]

Listen to Chris Connelly --The Early Nighters, elegy for River

[@SteKelly-jd8iu]

Rest in peace Shane. Thank you for the music and words

[@brandonross400]

One of the greatest songwriters and renderers of the past 50 years whose work will be remembered long after we're all gone.

[@marilenetala3050]

Nobody does song like this these days and will never forever. I love love Shanes ' s wonderful wonderful and sweet voice. R.I.P. dear Shane. !!!!!!! 🎶🎶

[@truthandthewholetruth2436]

RIP Shane this song is sad yet so beautiful.

[@andresarce4918]

It was a nice surprise to hear this song at the end of My own private Idaho.

[@J8T369]

is it dated? I saw it at the theaters years ago.

[@scottielambert9312]

Made the movie for me

[@crystalbluewire3339]

Great song. B 52s.

[@globalhumanism]

Was it? I must have seen the film just before I borrowed and taped this CD from a friend of a friend and listened to it almost obsessively, especially this song. (Me and my friend and his friend and two others later got to see the Pogues live in LA. A dammed highlight of my life.) "I've been spat on, and shat on, and raped and abused" --- this line never goes out of my head

[@johnflynn5044]

And not surprising considering the films theme and these lyrics.. Main drag being heroine

[@lulugu3]

Back in the 60s, my dad often had to run away from home. in the 80s, he had to see a therapist, and one of the issues he dealt with was ridding the sorrow he felt when listening to this song. I don't know the details of what happened to him, but this song paints a depressingly insightful picture.

[@dadankarambolo6412]

that make this song so beautiful

[@globalhumanism]

Yeah. Things like this have happened to many of us in some ways or another, including me. But for me it was my father, at "home," before I could legally escape. Jesus. The f ing coppers made me stay there and keep taking it when I tried to run away. And many things like this never really heal, physically or inwardly. It was my mom's side that was Irish. After I got out he beat her too.

[@globalhumanism]

But yeah, this song can be therapy. And it can make some of us bawl like babies. I tried talking about this during the beginning of MeToo and people said that "MeToo" is a women's movement, period. So what about males it's happened to?, I asked. One person said "then start your own movement." As if anyone would give a dam. I'm proud of the MeToo women but can't say Me Too.

[@jcmore7971]

Shit.. that is is frickin sad...sorry for your dad. I feel hollow right now really 😔

[@josephdunne2446]

Male prostitution, addiction and police brutality to name but a few

[@johnpetry5321]

This song, Mary Gauthier's "Drag Queens In Limousines", and Tom Waits, in general, all take me back to a time long passed.

[@ColdOasisU2]

perfetc ...in the style of Dylan, Lou Reed and especially Tom Waits

[@mysterygirl745]

Nagy Ciprian Mihai Nagy I agree with your comment about Mr Waits. Such a beautiful picture and lyrics- raw, pure and full of emotion as always ☘️🇨🇮💋

[@teknoprisoners]

I never met you, But I bet you, We'd have got on like a house, On fire, you'd require, Nothing but some good craic, I lack nothing, nor you, And the things that we do, Reflect on the world as it turns, Meyy Christmas to you, Up in heaven adieu, This is farewell to you, Shane, Legend, We'll remember you well, And your Fairytale spell.

[@dohertm2]

McGowan, 100% legend!

[@delphineblackburn9228]

why the man is one of greatest poets of his time

[@globalhumanism]

"I've been spat on and shat on and raped and abused" --- I'm glad that Shane was willing and able to sing this, cause it can and does happen to boys and men too

[@globalhumanism]

sorry: it sometimes plays in my head this way but I guess it's really "i've been shat on and spat on and raped and abused." Like the order makes any f ing difference when most or all of these things have really happened to you. Also "... picked up the coppers and kicked in the balls ... I was beaten and mauled" etc. Finally, I thought. A song that at least reflects some of my pre-adult life.

[@rouener]

the accrordian monotone is flatlining. In the start and middle sections it represents a resusatation. the end is death.

[@KH-cz7pr]

RIP Shane MacGowan. The songs will live on!

[@noddyholder79]

Never fails to send a shiver down the spine

[@nottavictim5]

If you grew up in NYC in the 60s and 70s you knew The Drag. We called it The 40 Deuce. It was 53d Street too.

[@dalawaabril]

1 00:00:32,872 --> 00:00:38,945 When I first came to London I was only sixteen 2 00:00:39,045 --> 00:00:45,168 With a fiver in my pocket and my ole dancing bag 3 00:00:45,268 --> 00:00:51,239 I went down to the 'dilly to check out the scene 4 00:00:51,339 --> 00:00:57,474 But I soon ended up upon the old main drag 5 00:00:57,574 --> 00:01:03,678 There the he-males and the she-males paraded in style 6 00:01:03,778 --> 00:01:09,942 And the old man with the money would flash you a smile 7 00:01:10,042 --> 00:01:15,955 In the dark of an alley you'd work for a fiver 8 00:01:16,055 --> 00:01:22,152 For a swift one off the wrist down on the old main drag 9 00:01:22,252 --> 00:01:28,178 In the cold winter nights the old town it was chill 10 00:01:28,278 --> 00:01:34,479 But there were boys in the cafes who'd give you cheap pills 11 00:01:34,579 --> 00:01:40,473 If you didn't have the money you'd cajole or you'd beg 12 00:01:40,573 --> 00:01:48,108 There was always lots of tuinol on the old main drag 13 00:01:59,202 --> 00:02:05,150 One evening as I was lying down by Leicester Square 14 00:02:05,250 --> 00:02:11,149 I was pulled in by the coppers and kicked in the balls 15 00:02:11,249 --> 00:02:17,314 Between the metal doors at Vine Street I was beaten and mauled 16 00:02:17,414 --> 00:02:23,464 And they ruined my good looks for the old main drag 17 00:02:23,564 --> 00:02:29,700 In the tube station the old ones who were on the way out 18 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:35,872 Would dribble and vomit and grovel and shout 19 00:02:35,972 --> 00:02:41,737 And the coppers would come along and push them about 20 00:02:41,837 --> 00:02:48,284 And I wished I could escape from the old main drag 21 00:02:48,384 --> 00:02:54,155 And now I'm lying here I've had too much booze 22 00:02:54,255 --> 00:03:00,574 I've been shat on and spat on and raped and abused 23 00:03:00,674 --> 00:03:06,543 I know that I am dying and I wish I could beg 24 00:03:06,643 --> 00:03:12,955 For some money to take me from the old main drag

[@7691kartel]

Best lyricist...bar none..

[@ashrach18]

No one can convey raw emotion and the story the way Shane does, nobody!!

[@patriciahalliday8920]

A genius. An a drunk. Perfection.

[@suecondon1685]

Ah Shane, I'm glad I existed in the world for the same 65 years as you. RIP you wonderful lyricist ❤

[@colinkehoe5985]

I brought myself here because I've been a fan of the Pogues for over 15 years and fancied listening to some of their music. I met Shane when I was younger and he bought me a can of beer on the train and sat with me and my friends even though Victoria(a lot of you will have to Google her) and another woman that was with then sat in different seats. He took out a bottle of gin from his bag and drank and chatted away to us until we got to where we were going. His relationship with alcohol is a shame but he is a very down to earth man who would talk to anyone and has a great sense of humour. Only writing this because I don't understand this new craze of "blah,blah,blah" brought me here. What is the point of that? Noone cares to be honest

[@theliamofella]

I would love to meet Shane, I don't believe in idols but he is my favourite personality

[@christopherlantz6442]

I love that story. He's always struck me as a very pained, very kind person. Generally, I don't get the "____ brought me here" thing, either. (I was just thinking today how irritated I was that most comments on Violent Femmes' "Good Feeling" are "Some awful TV show brought me here.") I mean, I really, really love My Own Private Idaho, and this song is a beautiful interjection at the end... But I'm not going to proudly announce that the only reason I'm listening to a song is I saw it in a movie.

[@DanielFranc35]

@@theliamofella that is a good old contradiction

[@theliamofella]

Dean, I’m not sure that admiring someone’s personality and idolising somebody is the same but I probably do idolise the fella if I’m honest

[@michaeldyer5978]

Closest I came to meeting Shane was in Hollywood at a club he was playing at in the early 90’s. He stumbled, but didn’t fall, after stepping on my heel. I thought he was going to kick my ass, but he turned back around. I was terrified. Wish I could meet him at a pub and buy him a pint.

[@PearseMcdonnell]

Shane McGowan thankyou . The old main drag is a song of degration and sadnesss. what can I say pretty near a masterpiece

[@robertkovac9780]

"If you don't know in Croatia was a fricking war and i was solider 5 year's(1991-1996)..."There is a scar's on my hart and time don't meen nothing....Now i Cry!!!...sorr.4 my English" ...Punkie d'Dog

[@kennyworth007]

OK. Let it out.

[@crystalbluewire3339]

No one defines you.

[@globalhumanism]

@@crystalbluewire3339 Other ppl do define us when we're young. At some point we've got to take that power back and define ourselves. That doesn't take the pain away though.

[@globalhumanism]

Robert Kovac: Thanks for opening up online. This song's for all of us who've been permanently scarred by brutal sh*t. The pain will probably never leave me either, but go ahead and cry; it can be therapy. As long as you know that someone else cares, at least. I actually do care about you now, tho i know nothing else about you. If that makes any difference. Hit me up if you want.

[@scoulark]

Yes. Regardless. I couldnae hear anyone else doing such a deep and wonderful song like this.

[@Docthal010]

thumbs up if you first heard this song on My Private Idaho

[@globalhumanism]

thumbs up if you first heard it on Rum Sodomy And The Lash

[@John-lp5xh]

Thumbs up if you like Frank garret

[@rossmorebaz]

this song is for everyone who had it hard and struggled to survive growing up..

[@patttrick]

Rent boys. never been one

[@ObamaFromKenya]

Patrick Clayton think your better than us Patrick

[@globalhumanism]

@@patttrick not just rent boys. It's for anyone who's been picked up by the coppers and kicked in the balls/ beaten and mauled/ shat on and spat on and raped and abused, or the functional equivalent. Women and men and others. There's no "girls" or "boys" left if we manage to survive these kinds of things. Also white and black and brown.

[@globalhumanism]

@@patttrick So yeah Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter. There's no contradiction. Female lives and male lives and queer lives matter. Solidarity, my fellow human beings around the world.

[@globalhumanism]

@@ObamaFromKenya Does Patrick Clayton think he's better than the rest of us? ... because he's "never been one"? ... One what? A rent boy? Someone who's suffered more than they can possibly express or even bear? Let's tear down this sick capitalist racist misogynist society and the staggering inequality that causes so much unspeakable suffering.

[@hankbellamy]

Ah such inspiration i love the pogues so much always will be my favourite band

[@susanandrew6453]

RIP Shane MacGowan. Gone today: far too soon. 30 November 2023.

[@poorpaddy7803]

One of his masterpieces... one among many

[@rainfallenonmyshoes8471]

Amazing tune, They don't write songs like this these days.

[@paulmccartney4216]

And now I am lying here, I've had too much booze...

[@e.b.1823]

Alexis hk

[@666Eva]

"picked up the coppers and kicked in the balls". Best lyrics by a human ever.

[@janegoldsmith5376]

RIP Shane MacGowan. This song tears me to pieces.

[@marksitter7834]

I feel the same.

[@LarryLightbul]

RIP Shane an absolute legend 🇮🇪

[@briansward08]

Just grieving at the loss of another Irish giant.

[@morganrock1]

One of the few songs ever that almost made me cry.

[@Gos1234567]

singing about reality

[@emer67]

London's violence has increased so much in recent years that this beautiful song's story is almost quaint.

[@seankelly9447]

RIP Shane

[@carolfuller3562]

ive loved The pogues since this album,scooter rallies in the 80s brill timesxxxxx

[@Survivalist-of-war]

RIP my brother

[@johnbarry1965]

Most of the early punks were rent boys!!!

[@cahillgreg]

circa '76, I threw John Lydon a few quid to sing me a song as he sucked on Sid Vicious - did his best but garbled the words as he gargled Sid's seed - years later, he graduated to flogging butter of all things

[@runn3litexd352]

cahillgreg cool story bro

[@danugo6742]

Speak for yourself Bruv you clearly got experience sharing is caring right

[@mr.t6142]

The band that inspired the novel, by Thomas C. Stuhr, SPRINKLED WITH EMOTION.

[@patricklink8527]

Mister Kirkwood would like to know if you'd like to hear his voice that way?

[@veronicaessex3444]

Mom hated when I sang this song - LOve The Pogues

[@sarahdean6441]

A genius wordsmith. Rest in Peace with the angels Shane.

[@cataleo1]

Hey I don't know why but every time I hear these bastards I feel like crying. They were just AWESOME

[@marksitter7834]

Fuck me too. Fucking hell.

[@annecaro.3956]

he is so king hearted : dispite harshness never a word of hate, but hope always

[@MrIn2ition]

only shane mcg could write this great tune ! can anyone sing this like shane mcg ? i dont think so..

[@GodzVeryOhn]

the he-males and the she-males brought me here

[@6gingerfish6]

Blocked from being watched in Ireland? Well that makes perfect sense...

[@ReciprocalZeugma]

aha! Unbroken Continuity, TAL32. And fuck censorship obsessed antisex Puritans!

[@jamess.7427]

+Molly Mag Uidhir How so?

[@TheHobade]

Odd...I'm watching / listening to it right now in Dublin 😀 R.I.P. Shane.

[@feelthewyrd]

just opened the christmas bottle of port early so me and my woman can raise a glass to shane macgowan. I am 65 and was lucky enough to be at some great gigs. The pogues were always a great memory. My fondest and most fun music with my mates, after and before the bar..... but this is the first time i have ever shed a tear at the passing of someone i didnt have the pleasure and experience to know. But i danced and sang your music and still do shane macgowan. i am not irish but heres to ya!

[@ArchStantonify]

you're a real one my man You are Irish enough and I'm Irish enough to say that.

[@jj299792458]

then try the band played waltzing matilda. it's almost impossible to actually listen to that song and not cry.

[@FabioCa89]

When I first came to London I was only sixteen With a fiver in my pocket and my ole dancing bag I went down to the dilly to check out the scene And I soon ended up on the old main drag There the he-males and the she-males paraded in style And the old man with the money would flash you a smile In the dark of an alley you'd work for a fiver For a swift one off the wrist down on the old main drag In the cold winter nights the old town it was chill But there were boys in the cafes who'd give you cheap pills If you didn't have the money you'd cajole or you'd beg There was always lots of tuinol on the old main drag One evening as I was lying down by Leicester Square I was picked up by the coppers and kicked in the balls Between the metal doors at Vine Street I was beaten and mauled And they ruined my good looks for the old main drag In the tube station the old ones who were on the way out Would dribble and vomit and grovel and shout And the coppers would come along and push them about And I wished I could escape from the old main drag And now I'm lying here I've had too much booze I've been shat on and spat on and raped and abused I know that I am dying and I wish I could beg For some money to take me from the old main drag

[@poppyposer]

"And now I'm lying here I've had too much booze I've been shat on and spat on and raped and abused I know that I am dying and I wish I could beg For some money to take me from the old main drag" The rawness of the lyrics, punched through with great poignancy. Shane McGowan, one of the great songwriters of the past 30 years.

[@michaeldyer5978]

Not just a great lyricist. Shane MacGowan is one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. I am not being hyperbolic.

[@globalhumanism]

One of the greatest English language songwriters / poets of all time. If the planet somehow survives, they should be teaching him in (tuition-free, universal) colleges right along with Shakespeare, Milton, the Romantics, Robert Frost, Adrienne Rich, Audre Lourde, Woody Guthrie, Bob Marley, Peter Gabriel, Sinead O'Connor, Leonard Cohen etc., for centuries and millennia to come.

[@dohertm2]

Possibly the greatest

[@peterdarcy786]

God will have his work cut out.Sinead on one side and Shane on the other I bet you he legs it .

[@polmaccaba]

the best lyrics that anyone can beg, or drag. I was pulled in by the coppers and beaten in..........ahhh the old main drag....

[@Fioneenacockeen]

Perfection...Thank you VERY much for posting.A real gem.

[@AllanMorgan-oi3sy]

Absolutely genius lyrics so powerful rip Shane

[@Lupocide]

The only song that can start and finish a genuine Irish Wake ;-)

[@brianloughran6190]

OK, I confess - I'm a Brit (apologies to all concerned) and while I love English folk, when I want to go on the lash there is only one song I go to!!! (My Sligo roots come out!!!)

[@annecaro.3956]

so deep from his soul

[@joeyobee32]

Lankum do a great cover of this.

[@eisemanrenyardjake]

0:08-0:32 What an intro; so sad, but so beautiful

[@elgordineo]

RIP Shane 🥃

[@misophoneofficial5283]

This is a perfect song. To these ears at least. What perfect imperfection.

[@johnparrington8606]

RIP Shane.

[@jeffdaze8363]

HAVE A NICE DAY....

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

The best...forget all that Christmas shite. This is Sean''s masterpiece. God bless you, peace and death in Ireland.

[@colinwilson4609]

It doesn't need a comment. It's already perfect.

[@Weepyun]

Beautiful. Melancholy, but beautiful. And I usually HATE melancholy songs, so it must be good!

[@gerardocarroll1158]

A beautiful song, grim, but beautiful.

[@C40V15]

I like the composition at 1'47, like a scratched vinyl...

[@v-town1980]

God bless the Irish. I love my blood.

[@Bailebhoy]

Irelands greatest poet and singer

[@PietroLoffredo]

I mcr si sono ispirati a questa canzone. Non è una coincidenza. La musica è quella. :)

[@stobbzie]

i love the pogues but im english so not many of my friends know them and its fucking annoying

[@herbohorse92]

this is an absolute tune. one of my favourite pogues songs.

[@colinwilson4609]

Sad but strangely life affirming. A contemporary version of Sweet Molly Malone.

[@roccorino55]

amazing song happy bday ol boy

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Poetry in motion

[@noddyholder79]

Please please please (me). Does anyone have the music tab for this? Slainté. Fitz

[@polmaccaba]

This is the best song ever that represents the Irish fellas that were on he dragggggg> Having been there i relate to it, so all others go have a bit of sympathy, please> so now i am lying here typing this defence.

[@mikewood5679]

Down the Dilly !

[@morganrock1]

Aye, i know it, coincidence i was actually listening to it on the train today, i've had this album for years, I find waltzing matilda more Sad and Old main more Depressing, Poverty and war 2 different subjects to me.

[@crystalbluewire3339]

There are allot of " Old main drags " . John Ragsdale.

[@elizabethkilcoyne9220]

suprising to hear this at the end of my own private idaho

[@patttrick]

why?

[@scottielambert9312]

How? It were perfect for the film.

[@fukuinerd]

"cajole"....brilliant usage

[@patricklink8527]

Yes that is a good quote and was a perfect song choice for that movie.

[@hobonate2196]

Reminds me of the young punks that made B town before the fa.. shit hit the town...

[@doronteper1248]

Have a nice day

[@BayviewFinch]

@MegaPaddyo - One of your favourites of how many songs about male prostitution? 10 world-wide since the dawn of mankind? LOL.

[@christopheserres5386]

Shane était un putain de génie...

[@DonCarlos590]

So happy i found thiz song. Its so easy to relate to. I always felt a comfort from this song, because it's something to relate too. A drug filled/alcohol filled life.