Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash
Encyclopedia
Rum Sodomy & the Lash is the second studio album
by the London-based folk punk
band The Pogues
, released in 1985.
The title is taken from a quotation, often attributed to Winston Churchill
: "Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum
, sodomy
, and the lash
." Singer and primary songwriter Shane MacGowan
claimed that the title was suggested by drummer Andrew Ranken
. The cover artwork is based on The Raft of the Medusa, a painting by Théodore Géricault
, with the band members' faces replacing those of the men on the raft.
In August 1985, the album was launched on HMS Belfast
– and one writer at the event was thrown into the Thames. It reached number 13 in the UK charts. The track "A Pair of Brown Eyes
", based on an older Irish tune, went on to reach number 72 in the UK singles chart. "The Old Main Drag" would later appear on the soundtrack to the film My Own Private Idaho
. A remastered and expanded version of Rum Sodomy & the Lash was released on 11 January 2005. The cut "A Pistol for Paddy Garcia", and the B-side of "Dirty Old Town
", which only appeared on the initial cassette release, was moved to the bonus tracks. A poem by Tom Waits was also added to the expanded release.
gave the album an A and said that "none of it would mean much without the songs--some borrowed, some traditional, and some proof that MacGowan can roll out bitter blarney with the best of his role models."
It has often made its way on to lists of greatest albums. In 2000 Q magazine placed it at number 93 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever. In 2003, the album was ranked number 445 on Rolling Stone
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
. Pitchfork Media
named it the 67th best album of the 1980s.
* Tracks previously released on the EP
Poguetry in Motion
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by the London-based folk punk
Folk punk
Folk punk , is a fusion of folk music and punk rock. It was pioneered in the late 1970s and early 1980s by The Pogues in Britain and Violent Femmes in America. Folk punk achieved some mainstream success in that decade...
band The Pogues
The Pogues
The Pogues are a Celtic punk band, 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...
, released in 1985.
The title is taken from a quotation, often attributed to Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
: "Don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum
Rum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels...
, sodomy
Sodomy
Sodomy is an anal or other copulation-like act, especially between male persons or between a man and animal, and one who practices sodomy is a "sodomite"...
, and the lash
Flagellation
Flagellation or flogging is the act of methodically beating or whipping the human body. Specialised implements for it include rods, switches, the cat o' nine tails and the sjambok...
." Singer and primary songwriter Shane MacGowan
Shane MacGowan
Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan is an Irish musician and singer, best known as the original singer and songwriter of The Pogues.-History:...
claimed that the title was suggested by drummer Andrew Ranken
Andrew Ranken
Andrew Ranken is an English drummer, best known as the percussionist for the English-Irish band The Pogues.He joined the band in 1983 and appeared on all of their recordings and tours until their breakup in 1996. He went on to join the bands Metropolitan Waterboard and Kippers, fronted by...
. The cover artwork is based on The Raft of the Medusa, a painting by Théodore Géricault
Théodore Géricault
Jean-Louis André Théodore Géricault was a profoundly influential French artist, painter and lithographer, known for The Raft of the Medusa and other paintings...
, with the band members' faces replacing those of the men on the raft.
In August 1985, the album was launched on HMS Belfast
HMS Belfast (C35)
HMS Belfast is a museum ship, originally a Royal Navy light cruiser, permanently moored in London on the River Thames and operated by the Imperial War Museum....
– and one writer at the event was thrown into the Thames. It reached number 13 in the UK charts. The track "A Pair of Brown Eyes
A Pair of Brown Eyes
"A Pair of Brown Eyes" is a single by The Pogues, their first to make the UK Top 100, peaking at Number 71. It featured on the band's second album, Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash, and was composed by Pogues front man Shane MacGowan, on the melody of "Wild Mountain Thyme", also known as "Will Ye Go...
", based on an older Irish tune, went on to reach number 72 in the UK singles chart. "The Old Main Drag" would later appear on the soundtrack to the film My Own Private Idaho
My Own Private Idaho
My Own Private Idaho is a 1991 independent drama film written and directed by Gus Van Sant, loosely based on Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V, and starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves...
. A remastered and expanded version of Rum Sodomy & the Lash was released on 11 January 2005. The cut "A Pistol for Paddy Garcia", and the B-side of "Dirty Old Town
Dirty Old Town
"Dirty Old Town" is a song written by Ewan MacColl in 1949 that was made popular by The Dubliners and has been recorded by many others since.-History:...
", which only appeared on the initial cassette release, was moved to the bonus tracks. A poem by Tom Waits was also added to the expanded release.
Reception
Rum Sodomy & the Lash received positive reviews from critics. Mark Deming of Allmusic awarded the album four and a half out of five stars and said that it "falls just a bit short of being the Pogues best album, but was the first one to prove that they were a great band, and not just a great idea for a band." Robert ChristgauRobert Christgau
Robert Christgau is an American essayist, music journalist, and self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics".One of the earliest professional rock critics, Christgau is known for his terse capsule reviews, published since 1969 in his Consumer Guide columns...
gave the album an A and said that "none of it would mean much without the songs--some borrowed, some traditional, and some proof that MacGowan can roll out bitter blarney with the best of his role models."
It has often made its way on to lists of greatest albums. In 2000 Q magazine placed it at number 93 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever. In 2003, the album was ranked number 445 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
"The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" is the title of a 2003 special issue of American magazine Rolling Stone, and a related book published in 2005.Related news articles:...
. Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
named it the 67th best album of the 1980s.
Track listing
- "The Sick Bed of Cúchulainn" (MacGowanShane MacGowanShane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan is an Irish musician and singer, best known as the original singer and songwriter of The Pogues.-History:...
) – 2:59 - "The Old Main Drag" (MacGowan) – 3:19
- "Wild Cats of Kilkenny" (MacGowan/FinerJem FinerJem Finer is an English musician, artist and composer. He was one of the founding members of The Pogues.-Life and career:...
) – 2:48 - "I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every DayI'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day"I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day" is a traditional Irish song written from the point of view of a rich landowner telling the story of his day while buying drinks at a public house.Various versions of the song exist...
" (traditional) – 2:55 - "A Pair of Brown EyesA Pair of Brown Eyes"A Pair of Brown Eyes" is a single by The Pogues, their first to make the UK Top 100, peaking at Number 71. It featured on the band's second album, Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash, and was composed by Pogues front man Shane MacGowan, on the melody of "Wild Mountain Thyme", also known as "Will Ye Go...
" (MacGowan) – 4:54 - "Sally MacLennaneSally MacLennane"Sally MacLennane" was the second single by The Pogues to make the UK Top 100, reaching number 54. The song was composed by Shane MacGowan and featured on the band's second album, Rum, Sodomy And The Lash. It is one of the best known Pogues songs and has been included in all set lists by the...
" (MacGowan) – 2:43 - "A Pistol for Paddy Garcia"† (Finer) – 2:31
- "Dirty Old TownDirty Old Town"Dirty Old Town" is a song written by Ewan MacColl in 1949 that was made popular by The Dubliners and has been recorded by many others since.-History:...
" (MacCollEwan MacCollEwan MacColl was an English folk singer, songwriter, socialist, actor, poet, playwright, and record producer. He was married to theatre director Joan Littlewood, and later to American folksinger Peggy Seeger. He collaborated with Littlewood in the theatre and with Seeger in folk music...
) – 3:45 - "Jesse JamesJesse James in musicJesse James became a hero in folklore and dime novels before he was killed in 1882. A manifestation of this was the emergence of a wide body of music that celebrates or alludes to Jesse James...
" (traditional) – 2:58 - "Navigator" (Gaston) – 4:12
- "Billy's Bones" (MacGowan) – 2:02
- "The Gentleman Soldier" (traditional) – 2:04
- "And the Band Played Waltzing MatildaAnd The Band Played Waltzing Matilda"And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" is a song written by Scottish-born Australian singer-songwriter Eric Bogle in 1971. The song describes war as futile and gruesome, while criticising those who seek to glorify it...
" (BogleEric BogleEric Bogle is a folk singer-songwriter. He emigrated to Australia in 1969 and currently resides near Adelaide, South Australia.-Career:...
) – 8:10
- † "A Pistol for Paddy Garcia" did not appear on the original album; it is a bonus track on a 1989 issue.
2004 release
- "The Sick Bed of Cúchulainn" (MacGowan) – 2:59
- "The Old Main Drag" (MacGowan) – 3:19
- "Wild Cats of Kilkenny" (MacGowan/Finer) – 2:48
- "I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day" (traditional) – 2:55
- "A Pair of Brown Eyes" (MacGowan) – 4:54
- "Sally MacLennane" (MacGowan) – 2:43
- "Dirty Old Town" (MacColl) – 3:45
- "Jesse James" (traditional) – 2:58
- "Navigator" (Gaston) – 4:12
- "Billy's Bones" (MacGowan) – 2:02
- "The Gentleman Soldier" (traditional) – 2:04
- "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" (Bogle) – 8:10
- "A Pistol for Paddy Garcia" (Finer) – 2:31
- "London Girl" (MacGowan) – 3:05*
- "Rainy Night in SohoRainy Night in Soho"Rainy Night in Soho" is a song by The Pogues. Originally included on their Poguetry in Motion EP, a different version can be found on an expanded edition of the group's 1985 release, Rum, Sodomy and the Lash. The song is commonly performed at Pogues concerts and has been included in their recent...
" (MacGowan) – 5:36* - "Body of an American" (MacGowan) – 4:49*
- "Planxty Noel Hill" (Finer) – 3:12*
- "The Parting GlassThe Parting Glass"The Parting Glass" is an Irish traditional song, often sung at the end of a gathering of friends. It was allegedly the most popular song sung in both Scotland and Ireland before Robert Burns wrote "Auld Lang Syne"....
" (traditional) – 2:14
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Poguetry in Motion
Poguetry in Motion
Poguetry in Motion is an EP by The Pogues and their first single to make the UK Top 40. It peaked at Number 29. It features the songs "London Girl", "Rainy Night in Soho", "The Body of an American" and "Planxty Noel Hill"....
Personnel
- Shane MacGowanShane MacGowanShane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan is an Irish musician and singer, best known as the original singer and songwriter of The Pogues.-History:...
– vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Spider StacySpider StacyPeter "Spider" Stacy is an English musician. He is one of the founding members of London Irish band The Pogues.- External links :* [Twitter @SpiderStacy] [myspace.com/spiderstacythepogues]*...
– tin whistleTin whistleThe tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, English Flageolet, Scottish penny whistle, Tin Flageolet, Irish whistle and Clarke London Flageolet is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is an end blown fipple flute, putting it in the same category as the recorder, American Indian flute, and... - James FearnleyJames FearnleyJames Fearnley is an English musician. He plays accordion in the folk/punk band The Pogues.As a child he was a choir treble, but his voice changed at the age of sixteen. He took piano lessons but did not enjoy it, so he chose to learn the guitar instead...
– accordionAccordionThe accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist.... - Jem FinerJem FinerJem Finer is an English musician, artist and composer. He was one of the founding members of The Pogues.-Life and career:...
– banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new... - Cait O'RiordanCait O'RiordanCaitlín O'Riordan is a British musician. She played bass guitar for the British-Irish punk/folk band The Pogues from 1983 to 1986. She later played with Elvis Costello, her husband from 1986 to 2002, as well as several other projects....
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Andrew RankenAndrew RankenAndrew Ranken is an English drummer, best known as the percussionist for the English-Irish band The Pogues.He joined the band in 1983 and appeared on all of their recordings and tours until their breakup in 1996. He went on to join the bands Metropolitan Waterboard and Kippers, fronted by...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - Philip Chevron – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
Additional personnel
- Henry Benagh – fiddleFiddleThe term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
- Dick CuthellDick CuthellDick Cuthell is a British musician and record producer. He plays flugelhorn, cornet, and trumpet, amongst a range of other brass instruments, including tenor horn and valve trombone. Cuthell is best known for his work with The Specials and Rico Rodriguez. He also collaborated with bands such as...
– hornHorn (instrument)The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player .... - Tommy Keane – uileann pipes