How Come

The Pogues

About How Come

"How Come" is a song co-written by Ronnie Lane and Kevin Westlake, and recorded by Lane as his first single in 1973 after he left Faces. Featuring a band of constantly changing personnel called Slim Chance, including Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle, who later had considerable success as a performing and songwriting duo in their own right, it reached No. 11 in the UK. Gallagher played piano accordion and Lyle mandolin on the A-side, both also contributing back-up vocals. "Done This One Before", on the B-side, featured Gallagher on Hammond organ and Lyle on harmonica. The song was later recorded by Oscar Houchins, of the White Whale Recording group the Clique, and released by Monument Records in 1975. In 1996 the song was used as the first track of the Pogues' seventh and last studio album Pogue Mahone. 


Year:
1996
2:49
105 

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How come when I got the ace of hearts
Ya always draw the ace of spades
How's it when your best friend
Brings you lillies on your birthday

Hey how come, hey how come
Well I ain't superstitious, but well these things I see
How come, how come
I ain't a superstitious fella, but it worries me

How come when your local clergy calls
He tells me that you shouldn't wear black
What kind of bread are you gonna' bake
With that hemlock in your spice rack

Hey how come, hey how come
Well I ain't superstitious, but well these things I see
How come, how come
I ain't a superstitious fella, but it worries me

The spider's run, the cobwebs gone
Did you eat it when the moon was new
I drowned your cat, what do you say about that
I've even broken up your broom

How come, how come
Well I ain't superstitious, but well these things I see
How come, how come
I ain't a superstitious fella, but it worries me
Well how come, how come
Well I ain't superstitious, but well these things I see
How come, how come
I ain't a superstitious fella, but it worries me

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The Pogues

The Pogues are a Celtic punk band from London, 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 breaking up in 1996. The band reformed in 2001, and has been playing regularly ever since, most notably on the US East Coast around St Patrick's Day and across the UK and Ireland every December. The group has yet to record any new music and, according to Spider Stacy on Pogues.com, has no inclination to do so. more »

2 fans

Written by: KEVIN WESTLAKE, RONNIE LANE

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Release
"How Come" is anchored on the Pogues’ seventh studio album, "Pogue Mahone," which was released in 1995.
Genre Classification
This track encapsulates the signature Celtic-infused punk rock sound that the Pogues are known for, merging traditional Irish folk with punk elements.
Band Name Controversy
The album "Pogue Mahone" — which houses "How Come" — translates from Irish to English as "kiss my a**", a name that was initially rejected. However, The Pogues were initially named "Pogue Mahone" when they formed in 1982, but they abbreviated it to avoid radio censorship.
Lineup Changes
"How Come" was released after the departure of the band's frontman and primary songwriter Shane MacGowan. Spider Stacy took over the lead vocal duties.
Style Evolution
"How Come" and the rest of the songs on "Pogue Mahone" showed a change of musical style for the band, with more rock-oriented arrangements compared to MacGowan-era Pogues.
Critical Reviews
Although the album "Pogue Mahone" was well received, it didn't make a significant impact commercially. The absence of Shane MacGowan had a noticeable effect on critics' and audiences' perception of the group's music including "How Come".
Career Aftermath
The Pogues disbanded a year after "Pogue Mahone", marking "How Come" as part of their last original studio recordings. The band has since reunited several times for live performances, sometimes with MacGowan.
Influence and Legacy
Despite mixed reviews and commercial underperformance of the album, songs like "How Come" continue to retain a following among fans of the Pogues. Their unique blend of Irish folk and punk remains influential and has inspired many bands in the Celtic punk genre.
Major Themes
As typical with many Pogues' songs, "How Come" touches on themes of love, life, and the human condition, all infused with their signature Irish charisma.
Public Performance
Despite having a rather cult following, "How Come" is not as commonly performed or recognized as some of the group's other tracks, like "Fairytale of New York" or "Dirty Old Town".

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