Fiesta (The Pogues song)
Encyclopedia
"Fiesta" is a single by The Pogues
, featured on their 1988 album If I Should Fall from Grace with God
. It was written by Jem Finer
and Shane MacGowan
, based on a Spanish fairground melody Finer had picked up (this melody is an appeal or lure from a sausages kiosk named "salchichas Uranga (sausages Uranga)" in the feasts of the city of Almería -Feria de Almería-, in southern Spain). The video was directed by popular British comedian and actor Adrian Edmondson
. "Fiesta" was the last Pogues singles to make the UK Top 30 while MacGowan was with the band. The song is a live
highlight and has been included in most setlists since its release, often as the closer with whistle player Spider Stacy
adding percussion by beating a beer tray against his head. The track was also used at home games for Celtic Football Club up until mid 2006 whenever a goal was scored by the team and is currently used as the entrance music for London Irish
rugby team as the players enter the field. The lyrics refer to the Spanish
city of Almería
, as well as former bassist Cait O'Riordan's departure from the group, and subsequent marriage to Elvis Costello
. It was also used on Patrick Sébastien's popular show Sébastien c'est fou on the French TV channel TF1
in the 90s.
There is a Portuguese cover by the Despe e Siga band, called "Festa". Despe e Siga is an alter ego band of Peste & Sida, a Portuguese rock and punk rock band from the 80s and 90s.
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...
, featured on their 1988 album If I Should Fall from Grace with God
If I Should Fall from Grace with God
If I Should Fall from Grace with God was well-received by critics. Mark Deming of Allmusic awarded the album four and a half out of five stars, calling it "the best album the Pogues would ever make." Robert Christgau gave the album a B+ and said that "neither pop nor rock nor disco crossover stays...
. It was written by Jem Finer
Jem Finer
Jem Finer is an English musician, artist and composer. He was one of the founding members of The Pogues.-Life and career:...
and 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:...
, based on a Spanish fairground melody Finer had picked up (this melody is an appeal or lure from a sausages kiosk named "salchichas Uranga (sausages Uranga)" in the feasts of the city of Almería -Feria de Almería-, in southern Spain). The video was directed by popular British comedian and actor Adrian Edmondson
Adrian Edmondson
Adrian Charles "Ade" Edmondson is an English comedian. He is probably best known for his comedic roles in the television series The Young Ones and Bottom , for which he also wrote together with his long-time collaboration partner Rik Mayall.-Early life:Edmondson, the second of four children, was...
. "Fiesta" was the last Pogues singles to make the UK Top 30 while MacGowan was with the band. The song is a live
Live Music
Live Music is a reggaeton company owned by DJ Giann.-Artists:* Jowell & Randy* Tony Lenta* Watussi* De La Ghetto* Guelo Star* Galante "El Emperador"-Producers:*DJ Blass*Dexter*Mr. Greenz*DJ Giann*Los Hitmen*Dirty Joe*ALX...
highlight and has been included in most setlists since its release, often as the closer with whistle player Spider Stacy
Spider Stacy
Peter "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]*...
adding percussion by beating a beer tray against his head. The track was also used at home games for Celtic Football Club up until mid 2006 whenever a goal was scored by the team and is currently used as the entrance music for London Irish
London Irish
London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
rugby team as the players enter the field. The lyrics refer to the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
city of Almería
Almería
Almería is a city in Andalusia, Spain, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital of the province of the same name.-Toponym:Tradition says that the name Almería stems from the Arabic المرية Al-Mariyya: "The Mirror", comparing it to "The Mirror of the Sea"...
, as well as former bassist Cait O'Riordan's departure from the group, and subsequent marriage to Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
. It was also used on Patrick Sébastien's popular show Sébastien c'est fou on the French TV channel TF1
TF1
TF1 is a national French TV channel, controlled by TF1 Group, whose major share-holder is Bouygues. TF1's average market share of 24% makes it the most popular domestic network...
in the 90s.
There is a Portuguese cover by the Despe e Siga band, called "Festa". Despe e Siga is an alter ego band of Peste & Sida, a Portuguese rock and punk rock band from the 80s and 90s.