The Fairytale of New York

I feel some sympathy to this position, because I like this song. (I like it partly for my usual reason, namely, I Once Heard It [On The Radio] In The 1980s And Have Never Forgotten It.) But I also feel suspicious of this position, not least because it feels hegemonic. I also doubt that this is the only good Christmas song; I think that this judgment shows lack of vision and awareness on the part of those who utter it.

Spot on, pinefox. As I've said on one of the dedicated Christmas songs threads, there are loads of great, meaningful songs about the season. And loads of great tacky ones too.

I like "The Fairytale..." but I suppose if I wanted to be contrary I might argue that lines like "The Boys of the NYPD choir/were singing 'Galway Bay'" are trying to appeal to a certa

*are trying to appeal to a certain, romantic view of NYC at Christmas time that may not normally be true - although this Christmas may be different of course (I'm treading gingerly here)*

eyethankyew

Warms your heard, doesn't it?

"No Christmas" is as its title suggests not perhaps a Christmas song. It's an excellent record though.

The desperation which seems to mark the song's climax is what does it for me most. 'Can't make it all alone/I built my dreams around you'.

Findings:

1) it is very good, both in the sense of capturing being inside and outside the emotionally charged period, and also in its lurching around. I really love the drumming at the end.

2) it's my favorite christmas record, but probably not the only good one. I'm fond of the Low cover of Little Drummer Boy, for a kick-off.

3) there is, I regret to inform pinefox, no definite article in the title.

I was thinking about the lyric without considering it as a duet and it occurred to me that, uh, committed drinkers may recognise its potent mix of self-pity, distress, sentimentality, self-hatred, fear, anger and misery as those Hangover Horrors. Remarkably accurate, (ahem) or so I'm told.

I realise I may have blown my chances with Ally McBeal by saying that, but there we are.

Mike's unusual choice of the Bunnymen's first ever comeback song deserves some analysis. I read that the record was released on Novemebr 15th, a bit too early to be a Christmas single (strangely enough, the B sides are listed as being released a day earlier - how did they do that?), but I seem to remember going to see the Bunnymen in Birmingham on about December 17th, and they had a starry sky backdrop, very Christmassy. Although on closer listeneing, there is quite a festive vibe to the record itself.

Nate Dogg should cover this

Dec 25th is Shane's Birthday, which is ironic now. (and has beene since 1988 or whenevere)

Alice was asking if they sing "Happy Birthday" or "Jingle Bells" to him. I said it depends on if there's a candle on the cake or not.

I have just discovered it's not "the rare old mountain tune" but "the rare old mountain dew", feh real:
http://celtic-lyrics.com/forum/index.php?autocom=tclc&code=lyrics&id=412

always wonder if it's "eighteen to one" or "at ten to one" as well

http://www.americancandy.de/images/mountain_dew.jpg

americancandy...DE??

i kept em with me babe
i put em with my own
can't make it all alone
fremme neppa venette.

Mike's unusual choice of the Bunnymen's first ever comeback song deserves some analysis. I read that the record was released on Novemebr 15th, a bit too early to be a Christmas single (strangely enough, the B sides are listed as being released a day earlier - how did they do that?), but I seem to remember going to see the Bunnymen in Birmingham on about December 17th, and they had a starry sky backdrop, very Christmassy. Although on closer listeneing, there is quite a festive vibe to the record itself.
― Peter Miller, Wednesday, 19 December 2001

Peter's analysis of Mike's unusual choice of the Bunnymen's first ever comeback song deserves some analysis.

How did they DO that?

Not to be pedantic, but It's "A Fairytale..." not "The Fairytale...", isn't it? Named for a J.P. Donleavy book. Never read that but "The Ginger Man" is great.

Ok, I googled. The Pogues song is just "Fairytale of New York", no a or the,

can't stand this song

^^ suggest ban

r.i.p. kirsty

yeah...

It "Came in eighteen to one", as "Ten to one" isn't that much of a lucky one.

Haven't heard this since this thread was last revived. Time flies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=j9jbdgZidu8&NR=1

is a song written, I assume, by Shane McGowan

hooray, at last this obscure nursery rhyme gets a brief going ovwe

Thanks. Was hoping someone could elucidate.

I believe the music was actually written by Jem Finer, not Shane.

I've never read one way or the other, but for some reason I've always assumed Shane wrote the intro/ending melody and Jem the faster da-da-da-DA-da part. That sounds like a standalone part that Shane glommed onto and put words to.

Yes that's roughly what happened. I recently wrote something about the story behind the song, with input from MacGowan and Finer:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/dec/06/fairytale-new-york-pogues-christmas-anthem

I agree with myself upthread re: Bunnymen.

”I could have been someone”
”well, so could anyone”

is such a cold shot from kirsty's character

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/dec/31/fairytale-of-new-york-1m-sales

merry christmas everyone xxx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8

just noticed a quirk in the songwriting i'd never caught before. it sounds like they're adding a beat on the drum roll leading into the last chorus, but i realize now, if i'm hearing it correctly, that they actually add that beat on the last line of the verse right before that. they switch from 12/8 to 15/8 for the line "i've built my dreams around you" and then return to 12/8 for the drum build/roll. your ear wants to add the beat on the drum roll only 'cause you didn't notice them slip it in a bar earlier. crafty and cool.

Can't stand this song.

I love this song.

Me too.

only song I've ever played on a jukebox that made the bartender unplug it

bartender otm, most hated of all christmas tunes

Lol at Morbius

I grew up with real terrible Irish music in my house like Daniel O'Donnel, The Wolfe Tones, memories of watching The Dubliners live at midnight when I was 6 years old and comatose, Irish dancing lessons.... It was all bad but at least I didn't hear The Pogues until that wretched hit single cemented my hatred for uber '20s guttersnipe Macgowan, what a cunt.

there's better songs than this on that album though, like several of them really

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NIT_G0NDYU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RK-ICb9ngo

still need to read my copy of Here Comes Everbody

Everybody

at what point did this go from 'alternative Christmas classic' to 'way overplayed edgelord anthem'?

Has it? I never hear it when I am out and about, but certainly enjoy it when it comes on the album.

Just makes me sad that Kirsty isn't still alive.

it's staple in the UK. increasingly inescapable to the point where it's up there with Wham, Wizzard and Slade as the most played-out Christmas pop song.

https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/arts-entertainment/daring-non-conformists-favourite-christmas-song-is-fairytale-of-new-york-20161209118747

Isn't it the song that broke the Pet Shop Boys' imperial streak?

I miss Kirsty MacColl all the time, especially when I'm listening to another act and she pops up. The Smiths, Billy Bragg, even Robert Plant. I just found out they posted a great comprehensive accounting of all her cameos:

https://www.kirstymaccoll.com/discography/backing-vocals/

That she was also an incredible singer/songwriter in her own right is so extra sad.

I prefer Fuck Christmas but this is a good'un

xp It was kept off number 1 by PSB.

Thousands Are Sailing is better innit?

There are better Pogues songs, yes.

There are probably some better Christmas songs.

But it is the best Pogues Christmas song

^ thoughts on the above video sought

Surely hearing the same small batch of songs every year, without fail or invitation, since records began will make you hate all of them, including Slade, Wizzard, Bing or this, however great they once were

Did you guys know about Ewan MacColl being married to Peggy Seeger?

edgelord anthem?

This song made my 'Christmas Songs That Don't Suck' Spotify playlist.

Description of said playlist: "Get your reindeer-trampled grandma out of here! Criteria being an original song (no ska versions of generic holiday dreck) that, naturally, doesn't suck"

It's here if anyone cases. Warning: A few songs have the potential to offend. Not "Fairytake of New York," though, although from above I can see it does offend some peopple's sensibilities.

To them I say "bah, humbug."

i don't understand the edgelord thing either. This song used to be played on VH1 in the late 80s and 90s all year round in between Swing Out Sister and Steve Winwood.

Swing Out Sister! "Break out" warms me soul

The secret deep cut hip Christmas album is the Fishbone Christmas EP.

also here to wtf at "edgelord"

I live in Ireland and it is near-impossible not to hear this bastard song 30 or 40 times over the Xmas period. I would honestly pay 20 quid never to have to hear it again.

Good doc, the link upthread is knackered; lots about Kirsty and Pogues in equal measure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUSNzqqLFT0&t=3s

I *just*

So first:

Jon Bon Jovi is here to brighten your holiday season with his cover of The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York," a version where he sings both the Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl parts. (And, yes, he rewrites the verse you're thinking of.) https://t.co/mvmRZa3GzM

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine (@sterlewine) December 8, 2020

And in response?

The worst ever version of this song . Sorry Jon ... embarrassing and pointless https://t.co/PgJ5VcKywP

— Steve Lillywhite CBE (@Sillywhite) December 8, 2020

I'm guessing they've not heard Ronan Keating's 'adaption'...

Then again, I've not heard JBJ's so hey.

can I get a ruling on whats happening with JBJ's accent there?

This is multiple levels of something no one ever asked for or wanted.

Lol

Yeah, I don't need Lillywhite to steer me from this.

All I know is I have a Spotify playlist called "Christmas Songs That Don't Suck" and this song is on it.

Oh wow

Link, please. Lots of playlists with that name out there.

Although it's quite possible I am already following yours.

I actually feel bad for Jon. I haven't seen such a strong consensus of absolute disgust in awhile. Hope the guy isn't reading all the comments.

All I know is I have a Spotify playlist called "Christmas Songs That Don't Suck" and this song is on it.

I used to mail out mix CDs with this theme to friends every year. Even as my tastes got (slightly) less puerile over time, I always made room for the Vandals' "Christmas Time for My Penis."

I actually feel bad for Jon. I haven't seen such a strong consensus of absolute disgust in awhile.

Do u mean towards his career as a whole?

Just came across this version for some reason:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riN4M_x0pj4