Shane MacGowan, the lead singer of the popular 80s and 90s rock band The Pogues, passed away peacefully at age 65. The Pogues were a Celtic punk band that formed in the early 80s and grew in popularity with their politically fueled tunes and punk inspirations. Their music also served in many soundtracks to various forms of entertainment such as film and television. Their most notable is the TV show The Wire, where their song “The Body of an American” was used in one of the most famous scenes in all of the series.
In the series, the character Ray Cole, played by the series co-creator Robert F. Colesberry (Mississippi Burning), passes away as the actor had also passed in real life. The characters are gathered in a small Irish pub called Kavanaugh’s, to uphold a Baltimore police force tradition of having a final drink with their deceased friend. While the character Jay Landsman gives a small and less formal eulogy, the energy starts declining. He then starts to get nervous until his buddy cries out, “For Christ’s sake, you, play the f**king song already.” As the music begins, the mood starts to lighten. Funny memories are shared among officers as while they get a little raunchy, the crowd gathered to remember their deceased friend starts to celebrate him and his memory.
It is at that moment when the song “The Body of an American” is playing, and it makes the building interaction of joy and remembrance so beautiful, as The Pogue’s beautiful Irish sound fills the scene and all of the awkward silent places where the words failed to enter.
This scene in particular displays how important and powerful music can be in the background of a TV episode and can be such a game-changer in the reception and significance of one small scene. In this, Colesberry played a minor character, but his memory went down in TV history just by this scene. The small line of encouragement to get the music going propels the scene forward as the beautiful music begins to play seals the deal with the effects that The Pogues’ music had on media, fans, and anyone who came across their music. MacGowan’s music will live on, as his voice and talent will be dearly missed. Watch the iconic scene from The Wire below.