Fiesta (The Pogues song)
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"Fiesta" is a single by The Pogues, featured on their 1988 album If I Should Fall from Grace with God.
It was written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan, based on a Spanish fairground melody Finer had picked up (this melody is an appeal or lure from a sausages kiosk named "salchichas Uranga (sausages Uranga)" in the feasts of the city of Almería -Feria de Almería-, in southern Spain). The refrain quotes "Liechtensteiner Polka" by Edmund Kotscher and Rudi Lindt.
The lyrics refer to the Spanish city of Almería, as well as former bassist Cait O'Riordan's departure from the group, and subsequent marriage to Elvis Costello. The music video was directed by popular British comedian and actor Adrian Edmondson, and filmed on the roof of Casa Batlló in Barcelona.
"Fiesta" was the last Pogues singles to make the United Kingdom Top 30, while MacGowan was with the band. The song is a live highlight, and has been included in most setlists since its release, often as the closer with whistle player Spider Stacy adding percussion by beating a beer tray against his head.
In popular culture
- "Fiesta" has appeared in many television programmes and movies, including Patrick Sébastien's show Sébastien c'est fou, on the French television channel TF1 in the 90s.
- It was also used in the movie The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! (2012).
- From 1994 to 1995, "Fiesta" was used in an advert for the Opel/Vauxhall Tigra.
- A brief snippet of the song was used in Harry Hill's Alien Fun Capsule.
- A brief snippet was also used on Harry Hill's Tea Time.