Pair of Brown Eyes

The Pogues

About Pair of Brown Eyes

"A Pair of Brown Eyes" is a single by The Pogues, released on 18 March 1985. The single was their first to make the UK Top 100, peaking at Number 72. It featured on the band's second album, Rum Sodomy & the Lash, and was composed by Pogues front man Shane MacGowan. Its melody is loosely based on that of “Wild Mountain Thyme" (also known as "Will Ye Go Lassie Go"), a song by Francis McPeake in a traditional Irish folk style. The song references the Johnny Cash version of the song A Thing Called Love: "And on the jukebox Johnny sang / About a thing called love". more »

Year:: 1985
: 4:54
: 140 Views

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The Pogues

The Pogues are a Celtic punk band from London, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before breaking up in 1996. The band reformed in 2001, and has been playing regularly ever since, most notably on the US East Coast around St Patrick's Day and across the UK and Ireland every December. The group has yet to record any new music and, according to Spider Stacy on Pogues.com, has no inclination to do so. more »

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10 facts about this song

Song Background "A Pair of Brown Eyes" is a song from The Pogues' second album, "Rum, Sodomy, And The Lash". This album was released in 1985, and it's considered one of the band's most successful and popular albums.
Band Origin The Pogues are an Irish-British punk rock band formed in 1982. They are known for their unique style, which combines punk rock with traditional Irish music.
Songwriting Credit "A Pair of Brown Eyes", like many songs by The Pogues, was written by the band's lead vocalist, Shane MacGowan. MacGowan is known for his raw, emotional lyrics and storytelling ability.
Chart Performance The song reached number 72 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it a modest commercial success. In the UK, it did better, reaching the top 20 in the UK Singles Chart.
Music Video The music video for "A Pair of Brown Eyes" was directed by Alex Cox, the director known for his work on the 1984 film "Repo Man".
Song Meaning The song narrates a wartime love story, filled with historical details. It discusses the experiences of soldiers and the impact of their time at war on their loved ones at home. The brown eyes in the song refer to the eyes of the narrator's former love.
Award Nomination In 1986, "A Pair of Brown Eyes" received a nomination for the Best British Single award at the BRIT Awards but lost out to Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World".
Musical Influence Today, The Pogues are recognized as having greatly influenced the Celtic punk movement, with "A Pair of Brown Eyes" often being highlighted as a standout track that helped cultivate their legacy.
Cover Versions There have been numerous cover versions of the song by various artists, attesting to its resilience and popularity. Artists such as Christy Moore and Ted Leo have covered the song.
Critical Acclaim Over three decades after its release, "A Pair of Brown Eyes" continues to receive critical acclaim. Pitchfork included it on their list of "The 200 Best Songs of the 1980s", demonstrating its enduring influence and appeal.

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