“Fairytale of New York” (1987)

As with many masterpieces, this Irish punk ballad took a long time to finish. It originated in 1985, but was not released until November 1987.

No Fairies

Contrary to what the title states, the song is not exactly a fairy tale. In fact, it relates a rather depressing tale of a pathetic couple with plenty of personal problems (drug addiction, alcoholism), and plenty of interpersonal problems (they’re disgusted with each other). Although they have a few moments of joy now and then, their life together seems to be a nightmare.

Stuck in a drunk tank at a New York police station on Christmas eve, the man reflects on how the couple’s hopes and dreams have come to naught. And yet, he realizes that their dreams still bind them together, and he even sees “a better time, when all our dreams come true.”

No Santa

“Fairytale of New York” is often said to be a Christmas song. If it is, it’s a very non-traditional Christmas song. Maybe that’s why it’s one of the best. The song has reached the UK Top 40 at 15 different times. In 2012, it passed the 1-million-sales mark in the UK.

In a poll of BBC Radio 2 listeners, “Fairytale of New York” ranked at Number 84 on its list of “Greatest Songs of All Time.” _{(Image source)}

The Pogues, featuring Kirsty MacColl

The Pogues were a UK / Irish that was founded in 1982. Two of the founding members – Shane MacGowan and Peter "Spider" Stacy – had met in 1977, at a Ramones gig in London.

In 1984, The Pogues opened for The Clash on their 1984 tour. Subsequently, they signed with Stiff Records.

Safe for Over-Consumption

Over the next few years, the band reached its peak, based on their intoxicating mix of Celtic-flavored tunes with punk energy and attitude.

While MacGowan’s inspired poetry and musical genius propelled The Pogues to critical and commercial success, his alcoholism and drug addiction resulted in his expulsion from the band.

But not before MacGowan and The Pogues created at least 3 albums that can honestly be called masterpieces. _{(Image source)}

It was Christmas Eve, babe, in the drunk tank

An old man said to me, “Won't see another one”

And then he sang a song

"The Rare Old Mountain Dew"

I turned my face away

And dreamed about you

Got on a lucky one

Came in eighteen to one

I've got a feeling this year's for me and you

So, happy Christmas, I love you, baby

I can see a better time

When all our dreams come true

They've got cars big as bars

They've got rivers of gold

But the wind goes right through you

It's no place for the old

When you first took my hand

On a cold Christmas Eve

You promised me Broadway was waiting for me

You were handsome

You were pretty

Queen of New York City

When the band finished playing

They howled out for more

Sinatra was swinging

All the drunks they were singing

We kissed on the corner

Then danced through the night

The boys of the NYPD choir

Were singing "Galway Bay"

And the bells are ringing out

For Christmas day

You're a bum, You're a punk

You're an old slut on junk

Lying there almost dead

On a drip in that bed

You scumbag, You maggot

You cheap lousy faggot

Happy Christmas your arse

I pray God it's our last

The boys of the NYPD choir

Still singing "Galway Bay"

And the bells are ringing out

For Christmas day

I could have been someone

Well, so could anyone

You took my dreams

From me when I first found you

I kept them with me, babe

I put them with my own

Can't make it all alone

I've built my dreams around you

The boys of the NYPD choir

Still singing "Galway Bay"

And the bells are ringing out

For Christmas day

_{Lyrics by Shane MacGowan / Jem Finer, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com

Reference – Wikipedia

Reference – Wikipedia

Into your ears … through 5 channels

The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}

         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)

         2 – “Cover Versions”

         3 – “Honor Roll”

         4 – “Documentaries”

         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

More “Music to Your Ears” ...

          Previous posts in this series – "MTYE posts 1–20"



Previous posts in this series – "MTYE posts 21–40"

Links to my other series ...}

Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"