# All right, explain it to me. How is Fairytale of New York NOT a depressing song? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 18, 2007, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-right-explain-it-to-me-how-is-fairytale-of-new-york-not-a-depressing-song/430522 "2007-12-18T23:35:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-right-explain-it-to-me-how-is-fairytale-of-new-york-not-a-depressing-song/430522/61 "2007-12-20T16:52:58Z")
This song seems to me to be the very definition of “bittersweet”. The ending is ambiguous, and can be interpreted in a romantic manner, or as yet another failed illusion; I prefer the former. I’ve never thought it was unreleavedly depressing, preferring to see it is a modern riff on the theme of foregiveness and redemption. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-right-explain-it-to-me-how-is-fairytale-of-new-york-not-a-depressing-song/430522/62 "2007-12-20T17:04:15Z")
Some trivia for you fact fans: Shane was born on Christmas Day. He had _another_ christmas single with his latter band the Popes called I think, _A Christmas Lullaby_. I like it though it’s not a patch on Fairytale. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-right-explain-it-to-me-how-is-fairytale-of-new-york-not-a-depressing-song/430522/63 "2007-12-20T17:08:50Z")
[QUOTE=An Gadaí] Some trivia for you fact fans: Shane was born on Christmas Day. [/QUOTE] Apparently, the hospital lost him initially. However, potential tragedy was averted. He was quickly identified by his mom - as he was the only baby in the maternity ward sucking on a bottle of whiskey. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![NailBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@NailBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NailBunny)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-right-explain-it-to-me-how-is-fairytale-of-new-york-not-a-depressing-song/430522/64 "2007-12-20T17:40:30Z")
I can’t believe this debate is still going on. This is going to turn into one of those weird, volatile Dope issues, isn’t it - like dryer lint and shoes in the house? ( **jackelope** explained my take on the song much better than I was capable of.) **NDP** , I thought your apology earlier was very classy and I appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-right-explain-it-to-me-how-is-fairytale-of-new-york-not-a-depressing-song/430522/65 "2007-12-20T18:18:29Z")
In regard to covers, I have some fondness for the version by the Irish Tenors - [sample here.](http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/product.asp?ean=793018289726&z=y) They cut out the vulgar bits, but somehow it works for me. Not as well as the original, which remains a favorite. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-right-explain-it-to-me-how-is-fairytale-of-new-york-not-a-depressing-song/430522/66 "2007-12-20T19:20:43Z")
Here’s the BBC 1 version of the offending verse, re-written with today’s sensibilities in mind: > [@](#): > > You’re socially disadvantaged > You’re a member of a rebellious youth subculture > You’re a senior citizen with an addiction impairment > Lying there almost living impaired > You low social class insect > You financially disadvantaged homosexual > Happy holidays your rear end > I pray to the diety of my choice (or none) it’s our last 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-right-explain-it-to-me-how-is-fairytale-of-new-york-not-a-depressing-song/430522.md?page=3)