The Sunnyside Of The Street

Album: Hell's Ditch (1990)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by Pogues lead singer Shane MacGowan and banjo player Jem Finer, this song is about a world-traveling ne'er-do-well who is happy with his lifestyle, seeing every place he visits as the sunny side of the street.
  • The title had a very literal inspiration: Jem Finer came up with it when he was walking on the dark side of the street in New Zealand, and decided to cross into the sunny side. On returning to England, he took the idea to MacGowan, who wrote the rest of the song.
  • Joe Strummer of The Clash produced the Hell's Ditch album. He took over on lead vocals for The Pogues the following year when Shane MacGowan left.
  • Pogues fans were shocked to hear this song in a Cadillac commercial that debuted on the 2007 Oscars telecast. In the spot, an idyllic, well-bred family blissfully takes their daughter to school in a luxury SUV.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Female Singers Of The 90s

Female Singers Of The 90sMusic Quiz

The ladies who ruled the '90s in this quiz.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Randy Newman

Randy NewmanSongwriting Legends

Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.