The Pogues
Fairytale of New York
When is a Christmas song not a Christmas song? Well, when
it’s a song about alcoholism, bickering and squashed hopes and dreams, that’s
when! Yes, on paper Fairytale of New York
looks like an anti-Christmas song filled with pain and despair. But it is
only when you listen to it do you truly understand why it’s been nominated as
the “best Christmas song of all time” in various tv countdowns, magazines and
publications.
Released in 1987, The Pogues frontman Shane Macgowen is
joined by Kristy MacColl who duet perfectly together. Set on Christmas Eve,
this Irish Ballad opens slowly and gently, with piano keys plodded as Shane
provides a narrator-like overview of the scene. “I turned my face away and dreamed about you”. What follows is a
call and response style song, darting back and forth between Shane and Kristy.
The songs couple bicker and snarl as they recite and reminisce of how their
hopes and dreams of yesteryear have been crushed by drugs and booze. Things turn
for the worst when Kirsty throws insults after insults at Shane’s character.
Kirsty’s tuneful, melodious vocals contrast sharply with
Shane’s harsh and raspy voice, as he stumbles over his words and fights through
others. The lyrics alter between bittersweet and just plain bitter, providing a
real insight into this fictional couples lives. Lyrically, this is pure poetry,
as the words playfully bounce along with the Irish-centred up-tempo backing
track. The accompanying band of pipes and organs, guitars and drums are so
wonderful they get their own segment, closing the song for the last minute with
pure instrumental magic.
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