Pogues Radio Air Play

[Mike from Boston]

Was wondering what the most played Pogues songs are, say on US
Radio and UK/Ireland Radio, excluding Fairytale. I didn't have the radio
on much St. Patty's day, but I did hear Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah on
WAAF in Worcester/Boston, which is primarily a heavy metal station.
Other than Fairytale at Xmas and St. Patty's Day, it is pretty rare to hear
them on the radio, even in Boston.

[DownInTheGround]

I would say The Irish Rover. I seem to hear it quite often especially on Radio2. Also Dirty Old Town is sometimes on local radio.

[firehazard]

I'd say that after Dog and DOT, Sally MacLennane would probably be next on the list.

[keelie]

Julie kramer on wfnx during left over lunch plays some of the pogues. i havent heard a lot though, Sometimes fairytale.

[Mr. Joyce]

I remember them being played occasionally on WXPN Philadelphia when I lived there. Although the last time I heard them on that station, just driving through, the song was the "Honky Tonk Woman" cover.

[neilinseattle]

I prompted a similar discussion not too long ago. DzM and Mr. C both determined that the reason why the Pogues are not played on US radio very often is because "Clearchannel has no taste".

Here's Mr. C's thoughts re: Fairytale

neilinseattle said:


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How come I've never heard the song on American radio? Seems to get virtually no airplay over here. Or, am I just wrong?
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Excepting specialist music stations and college radio (and sometimes not even excepting those) American radio is programmed by computers (no, really). Fairytale does not fit into any of the easily digestible categories the computers understand so it technically doesn't exist. College radio probably has no excuse not to play it except the understandable one that their brief is to give exposure to exciting NEW records from America and Europe.

In a broader sense, I'm not sure Fairytale carries the requisite feelgood message of redemption as American capitalism currently understands and demands it. In US culture from It's A Wonderful Life onwards, Christmas is a time of doubt, fear, loneliness, troubles, poverty............but by the final reel, the status quo has been restored, the black sheep all restored to the flock and American Values reaffirmed for another year. This has made for some qualifiedly terrific films and songs, but it has rather closed the door on the more truthful and dystopian message of a song like Fairytale Of New York.

There are some great "downer" Christmas songs, notably "White Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" which get frequent radio play in America at this time of year, but both these songs, tragic in either their conception or context, became popular only when smuggled into more upbeat vehicles.

In other words, as DZM suggests, Clear Channel has no taste.

[dj_evol_eno]

Locally, it's either Fairytale (all year) or Sally Maclennane or Streams of Whiskey, from what i've heard ...though lately i've been hooked on Transmetropolitan and Haunted.

[dannyfisher]

I think it's Fairytale.

[Sportin' Life]

I don't think I have ever thought about it before....
But I have never heard The Pogues on the radio. There is a good college station where I live, and they play all sorts of good music, but not The Pogues...at least not while I have been listening.

Obviously clearchannel has no taste....I am not sure how their computerized lists are supposed to have taste. Maybe we Americans have no taste. A large, large majority of Americans are content to allow clearchannel to dictate their tastes. Most people here don't actively develop and pursue what they like. It seems easier to allow the television and movies tell you what you like.

That said, I have been in many bars and saloons where The Pogues and other good music are staples of the juke-box. There are a few of us out here.

[Grievous Angel]

The only Pogues song I've ever heard on the radio was "Tuesday Morning," and that was only on St. Patrick's Day in Chicago. Maybe the station played "Fairytale" once during Christmas, but I can't remember.

After the Don Imus/Michael Richards/Mel Gibson/Isiah Washington controversies, I wonder if a station in the US can even get away with playing a song with the line "cheap lousy faggot" on the radio anymore.

[georgecat]

Tuesday morning would be amazing to hear on the radio that is a fantastic song.

[nboldock]

I remember seeing Tuesday Morning on "The Chart Show" many, many moons ago... okay, that's not radio, but I just wanted to say that. That is all.

[Beisty]

i think I remember seeing Tuesday Morning being performed. It woudl have been on the Chart Show or Top of the Pops.

Although, apart form the odd FoNY at xmas, I don't think I've ever heard a Pogues song on the radio.

[molly]

my local radio station plays FoNY over christmas infact its never off.
every now and then they play Dirty Old Town.

[KathleenwithaK]

Never played here, sadly. We have a local "independant" station (actually owned by an insurance company) and every now and then they do a segment called "coup d'etat" where they let non- DJs take over for an hour. Last year I was driving and the guest DJ played a Pogues song. I was so shocked I had to pull over and turn the car off so I wouldn't hit a telephone pole due to my sheer joy! When the regular DJ asked her why she picked it, she said "well its a good drinking song and you guys never play the Pogues", the DJ said "oh, we try to get them on as much as we can. BS! They NEVER play the Pogues. So, this year i'm going to apply to do the coup d'etat and play a whole hour of Pogues. Hopefully in October, right before their show. Wish me luck. If I get it I'll let you know so you can stream it online.