Songs Appropriated - Pogues' Sunnyside of the Street

The latest song I've noticed appropriated for a TV car commercial is the Pogues' Sunnyside of the Street. It would seem absurd enough to have this band, legendary for drinking, promoting a good time behind the wheel of any car... But the juxtaposition of the happy, clean, nuclear family going through their morning routine (or "ritual") before jumping in the family car and getting on their way to school and work is an excellent contrast to the actual lyrics of the song - the first verse of which is included in the full commercial. As is typical, no one will remember anything of them except for the "sunnyside of the street" part, which they'll happily hum to themselves over and over and over...

Watch Cadillac - Morning Ritual



Read the lyrics:

SUNNYSIDE OF THE STREET

Seen the carnival at Rome
Had the women I had the booze
All I can remember now
Is little kids without no shoes
So I saw that train
And I got on it
With a heartful of hate
And a lust for vomit
Now I'm walking on the sunnyside of the street

Stepped over bodies in Bombay
Tried to make it to the U.S.A.
Ended up in Nepal
Up on the roof with nothing at all
And I knew that day
I was going to stay
Right where I am, on the sunnyside of the street

Been in a palace, been in a jail
I just don't want to be reborn a snail
Just want to spend eternity
Right where I am, on the sunnyside of the street

As my mother wept it was then I swore
To take my life as I would a whore
I know I'm better than before
I will not be reconstructed
Just wanna stay right here
On the sunnyside of the street

copyright 1990; Shane MacGowan & Jem Finer
S.MacGowan - vocals / S.Stacy - whistle / J.Finer - Banjo, lap steel / T.Woods - mandolin / P.Chevron - acc. gtr. / J.Fearnley - accordion / D.Hunt - bass / A.Ranken - drums / B.voc: D.Hunt

Purchase the Pogues' music or get out your old LPs or cassette tapes and have a listen - LOUD! It's great stuff!