The song is a history lesson. The first two verses are about WW II. The narrator is an American fighter pilot based in England - fighting the Germans. The last verse switches to the point of view of the grandson. He compares the fact that when his 'granddaddy' returned from WW II he was a 'hero throughout this land'. But when he himself returns from Vietnam, nobody seems to care. Pure songwriting genius by Steve Earle, nice work by the Pogues.
true, true. I haven't heard this song in so long I'd forgotten the part about WWII. Amazing combo Steve Earle/Pogues. I wish they'd done more songs together.
Hello everybody, put your hands down from Spider! I got a bootleg of the Pogues 1988 tour and I assure you that he can sing this song great! Moreover, he's my hero, because he managed to stay in a band for 20 years even if he was not able as his mates..Pogues forever!
pearlcox-yeah,I know Steve Earle did it.I have had the tape for many years. Idiot that I am though,..I didnt think to read who the band was.I got it sent to me to review before it was released.So,while I was a Pogues fan,I had never heard of Steve Earle until then.Sometimes ya have to look at the tape credits,huh? Lol! And,yes,it is way cool that it's Steve with the Pogues.Theres a video of them recording this song here as well. :)
What can i say, the Pogues...one of my fave bands period but my gawd...Spider, you do this song no justice. I'm afraid this is a quality song but alas it does need the Earle man on lead vocals. The Pogues and Shane...simply legendary.
@ChimeraAZ It is a Steve Earle Song form Copperhead Road. If you read the credits in Copperhead Road, you will see that the Pogues was his band for the album. How cool is that?
Just my 2 cents here, but the pogues ARE the band who played the backing music on the 'johnny come lately' track from Steve Earle's Copperhead Road album in the studio - I think they do a fantastic job of putting it back together without Steve and may just feel they have a wee bit of ownership or creative license with the track as well, as they were instrumental(no pun intended) in getting the original down on vinyl.
The Pogues were just on this song, not on the whole album. Steve's band the Dukes played on the rest. This was a great collaboration, though. There is a cool video here on the recording session, from a documentary on the Pogues, if folks haven't seen it.
No not blaming the group ...or wasn't meant to as this band are one of the most talented groups / songwriters to come out of my era (especially when you consider all the dross that about in the last 3 or so decades). Do like the Earle man tho...especially Copperhead Road.
Actually, I've seen the Pogues twice in Japan, and they were some of the loudest, most boisterous audiences I've EVER seen. Thousands of Japanese skinheads chanting! I don't know what it was like in 1988, but if you see GOOD music in Japan these days, people go apeshit.
![Steve Earle -- Johnny Come Lately [REACTION/RATING]](/img/1.gif)
The song is a history lesson. The first two verses are about WW II. The narrator is an American fighter pilot based in England - fighting the Germans. The last verse switches to the point of view of the grandson. He compares the fact that when his 'granddaddy' returned from WW II he was a 'hero throughout this land'. But when he himself returns from Vietnam, nobody seems to care.
Pure songwriting genius by Steve Earle, nice work by the Pogues.
Very personal song to me . Father a WWII vet, me a Nam vet. Totally relatable, always brings a tear to my eye.
How was it tho, old man? Me grandpops was there too. Both Korea and Vietnam. As a soviet pilot.
🥇🥇🥇
true, true. I haven't heard this song in so long I'd forgotten the part about WWII. Amazing combo Steve Earle/Pogues. I wish they'd done more songs together.
great video great song great performance !
Hello everybody, put your hands down from Spider! I got a bootleg of the Pogues 1988 tour and I assure you that he can sing this song great! Moreover, he's my hero, because he managed to stay in a band for 20 years even if he was not able as his mates..Pogues forever!
Finel exposé of transatlantic collaboration - both military and musical. F*n brilliant song to boot!
I bought this bootleg at a second hand record store a number of years ago and I love this song as much as I did then.
I love Spidef 's version of this song; love all his work.
stuey, yeah, steve is the best...my husband and i are going to see him March 9 when he's in Minneapolis....i can't wait!!!
James Fearnley can really play that thing. Love Spider's voice too. Great song.
Agree ! I love Spiders voice and James playing. All of them came in the shadow of Shane.
pearlcox-yeah,I know Steve Earle did it.I have had the tape for many years. Idiot that I am though,..I didnt think to read who the band was.I got it sent to me to review before it was released.So,while I was a Pogues fan,I had never heard of Steve Earle until then.Sometimes ya have to look at the tape credits,huh? Lol! And,yes,it is way cool that it's Steve with the Pogues.Theres a video of them recording this song here as well. :)
I love this with Steve Earle singing.
What can i say, the Pogues...one of my fave bands period but my gawd...Spider, you do this song no justice. I'm afraid this is a quality song but alas it does need the Earle man on lead vocals. The Pogues and Shane...simply legendary.
Thank gosh Steve recorded it
Where’s Shane !!!!!!!!!!!
@ChimeraAZ It is a Steve Earle Song form Copperhead Road. If you read the credits in Copperhead Road, you will see that the Pogues was his band for the album. How cool is that?
Just my 2 cents here, but the pogues ARE the band who played the backing music on the 'johnny come lately' track from Steve Earle's Copperhead Road album in the studio - I think they do a fantastic job of putting it back together without Steve and may just feel they have a wee bit of ownership or creative license with the track as well, as they were instrumental(no pun intended) in getting the original down on vinyl.
i wish they recorded this one
The Pogues were just on this song, not on the whole album. Steve's band the Dukes played on the rest. This was a great collaboration, though. There is a cool video here on the recording session, from a documentary on the Pogues, if folks haven't seen it.
steve earle wrote the song. the recording done with the pogues wouldn't exist without the pogues, the song would.
I thought it was Steve Earle's song.Wow! Cool!!
No not blaming the group ...or wasn't meant to as this band are one of the most talented groups / songwriters to come out of my era (especially when you consider all the dross that about in the last 3 or so decades). Do like the Earle man tho...especially Copperhead Road.
i'd never heard of the Pogues until a friend mentioned this video. don't blame it on the group's effort though, few can touch Steve Earle...
@foxpointlake Substitute one word and this song is as relevant today as it ever was. Change Vietnam to Afganistan
Think spiders doing allright here, his voice fits the song well.
Mixed feelings on this one.
The band is great...
vocalist is OK (not great)
But this song is tough to sing man.
:)
Thanks for posting though!
I always liked this cover, though Spider kinda reminds me of Orlando Bloom.
Actually, I've seen the Pogues twice in Japan, and they were some of the loudest, most boisterous audiences I've EVER seen. Thousands of Japanese skinheads chanting! I don't know what it was like in 1988, but if you see GOOD music in Japan these days, people go apeshit.
I think Spider's biggest mistake here is the headband! lol
Disagree; it's a reminder of a war w/Japan
Spider Stacy (Pogue) is singing.
Terry Woods, what are you wearing?
Fn awesome
filmed in japan they are very polite and dont shout.
Zoom in on Jem! I can't see what roll he's using.
I like the "really no seriously.....drunk as fuck theme".....but its good
Good attempt at the time. ;-)
hahaha! yeah right
seen it love when shane pours booze in his coffee
Not really. They're Irish, not American, and the song's about the Vietnam War, not WWII.
It's about both wars; that is the point.
Except, of course, that the grandson would have been too young for Vietnam....
Not necessarily.
nice job guys but not outlaw enough
ps,..Spider cant sing too well.Lol.But he sure can play the Tin Penny Whistle!!
shocking. .
Nice voice shame is better at the singing
well well shit my sons and dorater can do beter
Yuck