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Waiting for Herb

by The Pogues

Released: October 19, 1993

Celtic rock

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Lineup Change.

The Album

"Waiting for Herb" is the sixth studio album by the Pogues, released in 1993, marking their first album without lead singer Shane MacGowan. It includes "Tuesday Morning," which became their first Top Twenty hit since "Fairytale of New York." With MacGowan's departure, Spider Stacy took over as lead vocalist, while much of the songwriting was handled by Jem Finer and Terry Woods, who had been prolific contributors alongside MacGowan. The album reflects the band's evolution beyond their traditional Irish roots, featuring no traditional songs.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Other members, including James Fearnley, Andrew Ranken, and…

Other members, including James Fearnley, Andrew Ranken, and Darryl Hunt, also contributed songs for the first time, with Ranken singing lead on "My Baby's Gone." The track "Smell of Petroleum" includes the line "The secret of the universe is hidden in this song," referencing a story from Bertrand Russell's A History of Western Philosophy about a man who, under the influence of laughing gas, believes he knows the secret of the universe but forgets it upon waking.

This album was the last to feature Terry…

This album was the last to feature Terry Woods, James Fearnley, and Philip Chevron, all of whom left the band after its release.

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Essential Tracks

Tuesday Morning

It includes "Tuesday Morning," which became their first Top Twenty hit since "Fairytale of New York." With MacGowan's departure, Spider Stacy took over as lead vocalist, while much of the songwriting was handled by Jem Finer and Terry Woods, who had been prolific contributors alongside MacGowan.

Smell of Petroleum

My Baby's Gone

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The Pogues - Waiting for Herb

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The Complete Album Story

"Waiting for Herb" is the sixth studio album by the Pogues, released in 1993, marking their first album without lead singer Shane MacGowan.

The album reflects the band's evolution beyond their traditional Irish roots, featuring no traditional songs. It includes "Tuesday Morning," which became their first Top Twenty hit since "Fairytale of New York."

With MacGowan's departure, Spider Stacy took over as lead vocalist, while much of the songwriting was handled by Jem Finer and Terry Woods, who had been prolific contributors alongside MacGowan. Other members, including James Fearnley, Andrew Ranken, and Darryl Hunt, also contributed songs for the first time, with Ranken singing lead on "My Baby's Gone."

The track "Smell of Petroleum" includes the line "The secret of the universe is hidden in this song," referencing a story from Bertrand Russell's A History of Western Philosophy about a man who, under the influence of laughing gas, believes he knows the secret of the universe but forgets it upon waking.

This album was the last to feature Terry Woods, James Fearnley, and Philip Chevron, all of whom left the band after its release.