It’s a bit of a downer compared to most other Christmas songs, sure. But compared to most other Pogues songs, it’s pretty chirpy.
“Fairytale of New York” is about as much a happy Christmas song as “Born in the USA” is an “AMERICA KICKS ASS!” patriotic anthem. The fact that both have become popular songs that are now traditionally played around Christmas and the Fourth of July respectively just means a lot of people who think they like the songs have never really listened to them.
That’s pretty much my view of the song as well. It’s about the deep disillusionment that sets in when one’s hope and dreams come crashing to the ground–and not just in personal relationships either. The couple in the song are immigrants who come to America with naive “streets are paved with gold” fantasies that are brutally dispelled by the reality of poverty, drug addiction, alcoholism, and drunk tanks. They’re both let down as much by life in the US as they are by each other. Hence the title “Fairytale of New York”–the couple’s excessively romantic expectations about their love and their life in the “shining city” of New York were so unrealistic they could just as well been from a fairy tale. The only thing I disagree with is your view that the guy is “incapable of admitting to himself the bitter truth.” I think he does but prefers to dwell in the few happy moments he had in his relationship because it’s the only thing that’s keeping him from hanging himself in the drunk tank.
I feel tempted to comment that it’s popular in Britain because, from their view, it confirms a lot of nasty stereotypes about their Celtic neighbors to the west thereby making them feel superior. However, that itself would be stereotyping so I’ll just say it gets played often because it certainly does cut through the treacle that is most Christmas music. Put “Fairytale of New York” in the middle of a holiday song set and it will act as a sour audio chaser.
Yes, you have to admit it beats the hell out of “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” for cheer.
Ah, my cohort-- close siblings and in-laws and friends-- have a drunken gen-x holiday singalong to that thing every year. I think it’s very sweet and romantic in a grotty kind of way. Of course I despise most Christmas music, though, so this is as glurgy as I will accept.
That would certainly lessen the despair a little, but I can’t agree with that interpretation:
Just sounds too much like his earlier naive dreams of rivers of gold. Those unrealistic expectations lead to a life of resentment and addiction for the couple and at the end of it all, he’s still living in denial.
I’m solely in the ‘misery’ crowd here. Made more poignant by the untimely death of Kirsty MacColl of course. As far as it being a British staple, which is certainly is, isn’t that something to do with the fact that Christmas is always a mournful as well as happy time - sentimental journeys, etc? Maybe that’s just me…?!
It’s popular in Britain because it’s a great, great song. Another very popular song at this time of the year is Stop the Cavalry by Jonah Lewie which is about a soldier dreaming of home. Perhaps us Brits are pre-disposed to a touch of melancholy at Christmas time.
Can anyone enlighten me as to what a drunk tank is?
For the record I thought the whole bit about Radio 1 bleeping out the word faggot was absolutely ridiculous, we’ve been playing that song unedited for 20 years and now they feel they need to change it? Whatever!
Oh sweet Jesus. I didn’t use to find this song either cheerful or depressing (mainly funny, for reasons that are now incomprehensible to me) but this video turned me right around. That is really fucking sad.
I assume (from context) it’s a communal holding cell for people picked up drunk by the police.
I’m kind of offended by the first part of this sentence and absolutely disagree with you. Except perhaps for the odd ‘Daily Mail’ enthusiast (who no doubt wouldn’t have such great taste in music) the idea that people like this song because it cements stereotypes about the Irish is absolute twaddle! I do agree with you about the last bit though, I think it’s extra popular because it’s not the candy coated bullshit you usually hear round Christmas - depressing songs can be uplifting at the same time and this is, for me, no exception, the combination of depressing lyrics and uplifting music pretty much sums up Christmas for me: uplifting yet always the potential for an ugly, drunken argument with a loved one or family member!
FWIW, I’ve always interpreted the song the way NailBunny appears to - a drunken argument happening in a volatile relationship, but resolving with just a glimmer of hope for the future.
Yeah, I was going to reply that if it’s popular in Britain it’s because they’re more accepting of casual habitual public drunkenness rather than any implicit condemnation of their Celtic neighbors, but that would be stereotyping 
That’s not a stereotype Ludovic…!
It’s typical Irish melancholy. Our music is full of it.
NDP our Anglo-Saxon/Celtic brothers across the Irish sea are as much into casual drunkeness as we are. That’s not why they like it. They like it because it’s one of the greatest xmas themed songs ever and sung by two much loved people at the top of thier game.
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The thing about Fairytale is the arrangement is so at odds with the content - it builds and soars and Kirsty MacColl has a gorgeous voice. The chorus is uplifting - the bells ring out on Christmas day. It isn’t until you really listen that you hear the pain and despair and the conflict.
So you just let the music wash over, and you feel good - listen to the words and you may well cry. The essence of traditional Irish music.
Si
Listening to a program of modern Christmas-themed Pop music is like chugging eggnog. Preservative-full eggnog, spiked with the cheapest, most cloying Kahlua-knockoff available.
After which “Fairytale” goes down like a double shot of Powers Whiskey. Definitely clears the palate.
A bit of Black Humor/Humour is always welcome. To some of us, at least.
Oh, I love the song. But a few people couldn’t understand why I catagorized it as depressing. None of them being Nailbunny. I hoped there would be more posting here who too exception to me.
I have long wondered if knowing what has happened to Shane MacGowan since has changed views of this song. It is an incredibly beautiful and poignant piece of music and poetry… What else could he have produced if not for the drink and drugs?
Granted, the Pogues did produce quite a bit of great music in their time, but picture Shane as an Elvis Costello type-making music with disparate collaborators.
Thoughts?
I, for one, feel the man in the song has hope for the future, but the audience can see that that hope is likely misguided.