The Pogues: If I Should Fall From The Grace Of God

Formed in London’s King’s Cross section in the 1980s, The Pogues gave rise to a new genre of music that was a clash (pun intended) of Celtic and punk styles. Today’s TV Thursday selection is the title cut from their 1988 album “If I Should Fall from the Grace of God.” It is currently used in the Subaru Forester “Hockey Mom” commercial.

At the time the band recorded “If I Should Fall from the Grace of God,” they were an eight piece that featured the following musicians:

• Shane MacGowan – vocals and guitar
• Spider Stacy – tin whistle and vocals
• James Fearnley – accordion, piano, mandolin, dulcimer, guitar, cello, and percussion
• Jem Finer – banjo and saxophone
• Andrew Ranken – drums and vocals
• Philip Chevron – guitar and mandolin
• Darryl Hunt – bass, percussion, and vocals
• Terry Woods (formerly of Steeleye Span) – cittern lute, concertina, strings, banjo, dulcimer, guitar, and vocals

Stereo Version

Released as a single in the UK, the song only charted at #58.

Music Video Version (Mono)

If you can stand to watch Shane MacGowan sing, here’s the music video for “If I Fall from the Grace of God.” He will not become the poster child for dental hygiene any time soon.

The Original Version

Recorded the previous year, The Pogues’ original version of the song was much slower and less intense. It was recorded for the “Straight to Hell” movie soundtrack.

Subaru Forester – Hockey Mom Commercial