the Pogues - a Pair of Brown Eyes

[@bobdobalina838]

Rest in peace Shane, you will be sorely missed. Thank you for the music.

[@TG-nh9jx]

I'm an Irish American and my parents were from Ireland. They loved this song, I miss them everyday. I'm drunk. I love you as well if your listening to this song. Everything is going to be okay, just have a drink. - Timothy Daly

[@softenbysam]

What have I just stumbled upon?

[@poppyfields7217]

I'm drunk as well. Love you more!

[@simontrenholm2276]

love is all you need....oh no that's The Beatles

[@paulmaher3927]

take a few pints cry try to reason it out then get on with it time helps there will be smiles later

[@carrickeu]

Bam Bam Girard good man. love from Dublin pal 👍👍

[@pweller2222]

My Dad died two months,13 days ago. Armature musician. He enjoyed playing this song on his acoustic. Did a fairly good cover. I have not cried since his death or his military burial. I cried tonight. I've been drinking. With or without drink, this songs tugs on my heartstrings. Thanks, Pogues. Love ya, Dad. Miss your brown eyes.

[@cgarnet01]

Sorry bud. Hang in there. My dad bled to death in my arms in the living room four years ago. He had cancer for five and half years. The inoperable tumor in his throat wrapped around his carotid artery and he lost consciousness before I had a chance to say goodbye and tell him I love him. It's the worst regret of my life because I had just yelled at him snottily and, because his voice box had been removed, put a pillow to the side of my face stating, "Are you saying something. I can't hear you. You'll have to speak up." I told myself to apologize ASAP because I knew he could die at any second. I never got to make that apology and four and half years later I still can't think about it without tearing up. I've never told friends or family about it. I just can't do it. The next two years were 40-60 bags of heroin a day and almost a couple of hundred thousand dollars down the drain. So try staying strong, bro. And try gaining comfort through more productive channels. Good luck to you.

[@skkay9142]

Someone needs to write a song about you! Hope your doing well, I had similar feelings about my mother's death of a brain haemorrhage.

[@Serfuzz]

Sorry for you, bud. This is not a love song, but I get the emotions that it triggers. I don't even remember the eye color of my first girlfriend. My wife is a black African, so eye color is never an issue. But I'm rambling now. Just poured another beer in your dad's honor. Slainte.

[@marietitus4329]

Même si cela n'a aucune valeur je vous présente mes condoléances et j'aime à croire que votre père chante encore cette chanson auprès de personnes qu'il aime et sont au ciel aussi.

[@Mcryan2002]

Paul Weller keep well mate, just stay strong for his memory

[@620mb]

A modern day poet. True Irish Man. From head to toe pure talent. Where a lot of people see a typical drunk Irish man us true Irish people see an outstanding artist

[@averyantitory4626]

Agree...bought everything by this great Band...Shane is and will be remembered as a truly great song writer and performer. A genius.

[@haroldhoot]

One of the most beautiful lines in this song full of rich imagery is: A hungry sound came across the breeze so I gave the walls a talking. Think about what hungry sounds could be. Think about when you talk to the walls--it is when you are all alone, hopefully searching inside yourself for some understanding.

[@idavo]

in memory of Scott Gilbertson, who had the most beautiful brown eyes - he is no longer with us. But hey Bud....... this song happens & I remember you. All my love David x x

[@bigmarty11288]

+i davo He's right here, buddy. He's right here. "Happy Christmas, I love you baby..."

[@TheLluummpp]

aaahhh

[@kipponi]

Video is like Orwell's 1984 book. Symbols and eyes that looking us all the time. Thatcher watching even homes from the poster. Now this all is true. How many cameras in London nowadays ? Thousands. Oh and I like this irish type song.

[@didiervidry7687]

Orwell ???? Merci.....🙂

[@davidmclelland2805]

RIP Shane, a lyrical genius. Thank you for just being you 👍😌

[@Fpstup]

I think they are London Irish more than Irish. I don't think anyone who didn't emigrate, especially before the nineties could really full appreciate or feel their music. For me being an Irish immigrant in London in the 80s, they sang everything I felt, they were our only voice, listening today brings me back to that time, all of the sadness in leaving my family, pain and loneliness but also the craic in the pubs. And seeing the old Irish boys in the Camden pubs, long gone now, only a memory left but It all comes back when I hear these songs.

[@rerenaissance7487]

Never seen this before, I didn't think the Pogues ever did actual videos. And SOOOOO 80s - I got goosebumps and shoulder pads. The 80s as I remember them. Grim and brilliant.

[@angusdavies6143]

Reminds me of me days squatting in Stockwell with Kirin, Paul, Andrew, James and friends. Only I had no dole and had to work up North at the "The Hopeless Wanker" in Camden. Half hour tube! T'was great. Thanks lads n ladies all.

[@123miller69]

Shanes voice in the first half was magic...... one of the finest ever!

[@onthevergechristianrockradio]

This is one of my favorite songs of all time!! Gotta love the Pogues!

[@peacefrog1916]

probably the most beautiful lyric ever written, shanes a true poet.

[@edmeister4031]

Drunk he may be, but there's no denying his lyrical genius.

[@kansastintcompany]

True

[@dublinceltic-qj6ir]

YOU MEAN BEING IRISH

[@McBluff69]

manchesterblue2007 Ye he did

[@nathan810]

manchesterblue2007 that's why he said "lyrical genius"

[@meciocio]

manchesterblue2007 LYRICAL, you fuck. He wrote the fucking words

[@sandrac815]

The most beautiful things in life are the simple , pure ones 😍😌😊When you have brown eyes ☺️😇 and you kindly ask the singer in the ☘️🍻 pub to sing this song. Sometimes after this request you get a beautiful Irish smile from a blue eyed... Irish gentleman’s have the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. Breathtaking country & Lovely people that know how to enjoy themselves and be kind to others. Truth must be said. Slainte 🍻☺️☘️💚🇮🇪

[@colinmoore9635]

...A pair of brown eyes....I could listen to it over and over.....The Pogues, the music seems magical....Shane MacGowan's singing style is unique.....Love it!

[@clauded3220]

Un grand poète ce Shane !!! RIP mon ami de coeur, 🍾🥂💚💚 ☘️☘️☘️

[@billking8843]

Vale Shane McGowan. He burned so brightly for just a few years but what a legacy!

[@s99bf0c8]

Beautiful song, shocking video though!!! Love the Pogues!

[@TFrills]

Even when Shane writes his own songs, he seems to perfectly capture and immortalize the beauty and the legacy of traditional Celtic music through the power of the modern media. He has truly done us a servise.

[@HighlanderOne]

my mum my gran my grandad all died. ...and the only thing that I could see was a pair brown eye's looking at me...embrace people ...teach the young how to be strong. ..real strong..

[@bloodmonk74]

my youth has always been in company of these few guys of the pogues...just awesome!!!

[@codyi5232]

I weep for the days that have been taken from my children for greed and I weep for all those children who never got to know life for the same reason .

[@mad4tarmac]

proud to be irsh!!!!!!cant beat a good ol session!!!!saw him live few times and each time had to take work off with a awful dose of room spinning syndrome!!!shane your the best and defo going to see you again!!!!!

[@PrincipledUncertainty]

This is probably my favourite Pogues track.

[@foreverspring]

Man, what excitement the Pogues created when they arrived on the music scene. I wasn't quite sure what they were, but it didn't matter. I loved their sound, their energy, and most of all I loved Shane's vocals. Words fail me now just as they did initially. I used to always request one of my musician friends to sing this for me at the pub. Aaaah, great song. Great memories. And, of course, I raced out and bought all the recordings -- as any wildly excited fan would!!

[@andichili]

On a bit of a nostalgia buzz this morning lol Love this to bits

[@Tribune10]

Certainly makes my shortlist of greatest songs ever written

[@groundslothjiujitsu627]

most beautiful song ever written.

[@groundslothjiujitsu627]

this is what the left wishes for a totalitarian state

[@zer0nemo]

What a nice and exciting vid for this fantastic song... didn't know the vid until now, thx!

[@bigbasso11]

His voice was unreal back in dem days

[@beamish13]

video directed by the wonderful Alex Cox, who also cast Shane in his 1987 film STRAIGHT TO HELL

[@haroldhoot]

It also touches on the horrors of the battlefiled, and how, in midst of such atrocity , it is the hope and dream of finding love that can keep us going--roving-- forward. There is a reference to Irish musicians Ray Lynam and Philomena Begley, who had a hit with an American country song called My Elusive Dreams. You can hear them performing this here on KZbin.

[@edphilbin3200]

drinking a lot tonight. Thank You.

[@stugats1]

The pogues were are and always will be the greatest for me.. Just amazing writing

[@sirleppy]

A song of poetical genius. A highly intelligent man who chose a different career path. Without a doubt he has been an amazing ambassodor for Ireland. A man that is a living legend and his legend is known all over the globe for being an amazing lyricist. And a man that was not even born in Ireland. But he is one of us and we love him all the same.

[@Ireland1]

Up there with the very very best! What a songwriter only Cohen and Waits can come close.

[@zaxxx1975]

brings me back to Much music spotlight days. the Pogues

[@tamarine11]

One of the best songs ever written by one of our best living artist!

[@fabricebourguignon4162]

The most beautiful song of the Pogues.

[@indiana6022]

And Fairytale of New York! My fave song of all!💪💙

[@dpcsoup04]

I've always loved this song. The pogues in general rule. Cool video.

[@leverspete]

its nearly my birthday iam going to be 34, i count myself really lucky to have lived/survived through the 80s and 90s. where would you find songs as good as this now

[@KettleSmithy]

its not about one man or one situation. its not even about Ireland. its about the helpless of man. And the hope we hold out for better men to change things. And even if these better men never manifest them selves all we can do is carry on. we have nothing else.

[@revlonconyers4784]

this video was ahead of its time !

[@blackwhitespots93]

love them!!!!

[@ChrisyMcCullagh83]

just love this song, has to be me favourite Pogues tune :)

[@doublejkso]

I've always thought the first verse was describing a close comrade (dare I say a person whom the song's narrator loved as a brother) who dies on the battlefield and happens to have brown eyes (notice narrator using male pronouns [all i could do was hate him] through out the song), and given the narrator is a solider one would assume he is male as well the second stanza is the ptsd back home and realizing that loss will never be filled.

[@32shumble]

+Joe Johnson - I think you are right

[@SithLordGdoom]

Joe Johnson I think that my viewpoint on this song is best explained if you just replace "pair of brown eyes" with "girlfriend". Doesn't mean I'm right, mind.

[@michaelbrophy5839]

a lot more should be thought of this man a true star..

[@ndSpaz]

I've never seen this before, it's a pretty awesome video.

[@mikelawrence4917]

I think Spider was definitely the biggest influence next to Shane's lyrics that made the Pogues what they were. Just watch and listen to his master of the tin flute. It's astonishing to say the least.

[@ryanaloe8202]

Every time I'm at a bar and this song comes on, I know it's time to go home to my GF.

[@xelexpunx]

this make me happy,and sad too,long live to the pogues.

[@FriedChickenHD]

give me your heart and soul.... the artist ... doomed with his honest emotion.

[@bwrpwr]

Best band that I DON'T own any music by. I really need to fix that.

[@ChocolateTeaPot100]

+Bower Power Rum, Sodomy & The Lash is one fine album.

[@gerhiggins7258]

dont shane mcgowen will just drink it haha

[@johnoconnor4623]

Poetry "and the trees were gently laughing" Can you beat that for a line in a song?

[@LittleLeighVisual]

It's poetic yes, but there are tons of decent bands out there with equally/more poetic lyrics.. it's not particularly hard to find decent songwriting if you look in the right places.

[@johnoconnor4623]

Little Leigh I know of loads of singer, loads of bands but my question was rhetorical. What is your favourite band/singer/poet/novelist now? I am reading American Rust, good book and listening to music too, so no need to add anything to my comment.

[@Thatsanicesunrise]

Your cracked country lips, I still wish to kiss, As to be by the strength of your skin. Your magnetic movements Still capture the minutes I'm in.

[@trevordunne6984]

The line is actually 'while the wind was gently laughing'.

[@johnoconnor4623]

Trevor Dunne Thanks for the correction!

[@documentedtwo]

a work of art - genius !

[@manchesterblue2007]

that is a great video from the pogues.,..youre right and god bless you

[@BMFahrtz]

no kidding.. so bizarre. Legendary none the less...

[@fattyboombatty2000]

This is the most beautiful pogues song there is.

[@SLAVICONE]

beautiful,beautiful song!!!

[@24934637]

Fantastic music! The video is so freaky! Shane is a genius.

[@grangegoarman]

We Irish (not including myself of course) are the greatest word-smiths the world has ever known. If you don't feel proud to be irish then just read/listen to the poetic wonders our people have fathomed over the centuries. Happy Christmas everyone!

[@ChrisyMcCullagh83]

What a tune. What a Band .

[@Fishdogpigsquirrel]

listened to this song a million times but Ive never seen the video, this is weird as fuck

[@BigMamou367]

Micheal Carney he is always drunk still is.

[@seelow733]

i just fell in love with that gal

[@sverdmester]

I always thought i had it figured what this song was all about, until I saw the video and realised i didn't have a clue

[@notdaveschannel9843]

I remember seeing this at the time, had no idea Alex Cox directed it.

[@connaught2008]

one summer evening drunnnnnk as hell, i sat there nearly lifeless

[@sayo99]

the greatest song ever

[@MrPhilroo123]

poetry, by a poet, lovely.

[@5551panhead]

love the band, Shane is the best, great song

[@k1j2f30]

Ya, Ya I like it..........I like it a lot! Shawn has that subtle Irish uh...something, you know. Alright, alright it,s still a damn good song! How can ya not like Irish folk music? Ya can't, ya just can,t.

[@haroldhoot]

Great works of art and poetry often illustrate experiences that are universal to all human beings. These works surely meant specific things to their creators, but are powerful because they evoke our own responses. This is a song about the great yearning for love, the hope and promise that it can be found, and how humans will wander far and wide to find it. It is also about how youth and elders can listen to one another, and realize that there are common experiences across generations.

[@juliosammy]

this song is so romantic it means a lot to me

[@johnfinbarburke]

this song made me cry .. as a kid .

[@duendargross2485]

best song of shane i love it so much

[@premierview]

Great stuff.. Fantastic quality as well, thanks.

[@seelow733]

shes a real beauty

[@noemyescamilla7457]

great song

[@marj98]

Best song ever!

[@jstein131]

Een van mijn favoriete Pogues-songs. Beetje triest, zelfs melancholisch. De clip is redelijk geschift :) Bedankt voor dit te uploaden!

[@robbiebryans9572]

As an Irish man, and somewhat interested in any political argument that might involve my country,( I'm within the holding 6 counties) I'll dare to say,,, this song is simply a love song. True. It may tug at the hearts of those who may have an Irish leaning and I would hope it does, but it was not its intent. Just a wonderful song. Sung with beautiful Irish tones, and listen to with hearts as beautiful, as,,well innocent as was meant..?

[@Camelwrestler]

So much symbolism in this music video

[@dublinceltic-qj6ir]

THE IRISH WAY

[@welleslywon1]

Brendan Behan, Ronnie Drew and now, all there is left is Shane. Who will step into his shoes when he goes? Long live Shane MacGowan! Mind you I'm pretty fecking drunk, but these are my heroes.

[@iliketrains76]

I am stopped cold whenever I hear this. So damn staggering. This video, however, is another story. It's a different kind of "haunting" feeling altogether.

[@carl-hansbitter6166]

Chapeau!!!

[@crickyw]

the video is a parody on george orwells novel '1984'. thatcher is there as an oppressive figure and reflects the oppressive, totalitarian state in the novel. i think it shows the bands intellect and is a great piece of political satire. the video is totally unrelated to the song and lyrics, which are about a war veteran talking of his lost love in a pub. love the elvis costello cameo in the video. one of my favorites songs. love it.

[@waylander37]

best song ever

[@oisint2]

beautiful song

[@theboyjazz]

Spot on

[@henrifaroux9618]

yes we love you too!

[@RMC1989]

It's a tradition of mine, that while I'm getting ready for a night out I play the Pogue's best of end to end.

[@thomohawk82]

Timeless song!

[@markshort8745]

Ive met lots of rock stars over the years ..shane without a doubt the nicest ..drink a bottle of jack at nite then go snd write great somgds

[@barcelona36]

That sound about right, Wowbagger. There's two characters in the song: the first, third and fourth verses are the young fella, the second verse is the auld one.

[@MrGanaface]

Shane Mc Gowan is a poet. Nothing need more said.

[@RENCHANDBASS]

and a pisshead

[@GasAttacck]

+london street RAT yeah he did more as a pisshead than you ever will in your life

[@RENCHANDBASS]

Alright crawl out his arse jesus XD

[@poppyfields7217]

London street RAT yep, no denying that. But he's still a talented song writer. A genius! I have trouble writing my shopping list!!

[@Johnabelle2]

There appears to be a debate over whether this is a love song or a political song. I'm an American, and while I am well aware of the historical strife in Ireland, it first struck me as a love song, I guess because I'm so far away (geographically) from the conflict. But when I look at it politically, it does sound very much like a political message. My guess: Shane was crafty enough to make it both, at the same time. That's why it's so great. It transcends, yet, embodies, both love and politics.

[@Donegaldan]

enyrb. I'm Irish, I certainly dont hate anyone else, or feel excessively proud of my birthright. Being humble towards others is also an atribute. I welcome those from neighbouring countries. Lighten up there are good and bad in all nations.

[@Joedidely]

I had to look up the meaning, the video has nothing to do with it. The meaning of the song is that a man just lost his girl and heads to bar. He meets and old man who begins to talk about his time in the war and the only thing he could think about while there was a girl at home. When he returned home his girl had left him. The protagonist hates him for telling this story and leaves the bar. He then comes to realize he doesn't want to end up like that old man, stuck still in remembrance of girl through all his year, so a roving he will go to find a pair of brown eyes. Hope this helps satisfy some. Ps. This is paraphrased from Shane Macgowan

[@rubyhorror]

just yes .

[@lilmikesf]

This video was directed by Alex Cox, who'd just done the film Repo Man. The video scared MTV and wasn't aired much anywhere at the time. Cox later directed the film Straight To Hell featuring The Pogues, Joe Strummer and Courtney Love.