Christmas Song: Fairytale of New York

On Christmas day, We share Christmas song- Fairytale of New York which is voted no.1 song for Christmas celebration. “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues, featuring Kirsty MacColl, is a poignant and enduring Christmas classic. Let’s delve into the heart of this song.

At first glance, it might seem like a failed romance, but there’s more to it. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a couple’s inebriated row on Christmas Eve. The setting? A drunk tank. An old man tells the protagonist that he won’t see another Christmas, and then he sings a nostalgic tune, “The Rare Old Mountain Dew”.

The song captures the struggles faced by this couple during the holiday season. They’ve fallen on hard times, and their dreams seem distant. The man, an intoxicated gambler, and the woman, a singer who also drinks too much, both resonate with songwriter Shane MacGowan’s experiences. He identifies with the man’s street life and the woman’s struggles, drawing from his own past as a hustler and heavy drinker.

Elvis Costello played a role in inspiring this duet. He suggested that MacGowan write a Christmas song for Cait O’Riordan (The Pogues’ bassist at the time), who later married Costello. The result? “Fairytale of New York,” a complex yet deceptively simple composition. Its Irish folk-punk arrangement, complete with tin whistles, flutes, and accordion, adds to its charm.

Interestingly, MacGowan named the song after JP Donleavy’s novel “A Fairy Tale of New York.” The lyrics evoke nostalgia for holidays past, even as the couple faces their present struggles in the Big Apple.

Today, “Fairytale of New York” remains the most played Christmas song during the holiday season in the U.K., and its quintuple platinum certification attests to its enduring appeal. So, as you listen to it this Christmas, remember the bittersweet tale of love, loss, and hope woven into its verses.

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