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'Fairytale Of New York'
The Pogues
Shane MacGowan has written a fair few classics, but none have had more appeal than this bittersweet Christmas song. Inspired by the novel of (almost) the same name by Irish writer J.P. Donleavy, the song mines a similar seam of lowlife drama and whiskey stained romanticism. MacGowan wrote it specifically with Kirsty |  Song facts | | Composer | Jem Finer/Shane MacGowan | | | Genre | Pop | | | Album | If I Should Fall From Grace With God | | | Year of release | 1987 | | | UK Chart Position | 2 |
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MacColl in mind as a duet partner, and certainly her dulcet tones offset Shane’s boozy croak. That’s not meant as a criticism either – MacGowan’s rough and ready vocals add to the song’s charm. Musically, it revolves around familiar folk chord changes, but MacGowan’s gift for a winning melody and pertinent lyrics carries it beyond mere pastiche. Fellow Pogue Jem Finer takes the credit for the marvellous string arrangement, which is sentimental without being cloying, even though MacGowan still maintains it was all largely his own work. Such is the song’s enduring power that it has entered into the folk canon, and will probably be getting sung in pubs long after memories of its defeat by the Pet Shop Boys in the Christmas number one stakes have faded.
Mick Fitzsimmons
Spider Stacey and Kirsty MacColl on the song | |
Radio1's Newsbeat talked to The Pogues' Spider Stacey and Kirsty MacColl about making this number two hit from 1987 - "It's a straightforward attempt to get a hit with this kind of lush ballad".
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Other versions | |
 Folk legend Christy Moore smoothes out the rough edges with his version from 1991's Smoke and Strong Whiskey album.
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Songwriting tips Could you write a great Christmas single?
More in Getting Started | | Test your knowledgeDo you know your Pogues from your elbow? Try our Fairytale Of New York quiz!TAKE THE CHALLENGE! |
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