This is a great story song. A Christmas song that doesn't sound out of place when not played in December. It's also special to me, as it was number one, during our first Christmas as parents.
RIP Shane MacGowan 🇮🇪☘️ This is a brilliant documentary I watch every year and I still love hearing the stories, thank you Shane for making such amazing songs 💚💚
I'm a bit pissed, (wine, not beer) and teary after watching. Never saw this Doc til now. Bitter/sweet, like the song, like life. My favorite Xmas song. Couldn't help but also think of the late, great Phillip Chevron's, Thousands Are Sailing, at one point in the video. It was as if they were talking about it, too. Right? Two brilliant songs on a brilliant album. I graduated High School the month Sargent Peppers was released. I hope, a 100 years from now, this record will be remembered. As for Sargent Peppers.... Whatever. This also hits home because of Kirsty. I lost my 24 year old son to brain cancer the summer of '99. Thanks for posting, Adam.
Saw this performed song performed by Kirsty and the Band back in 87, I will always remember that performance, was magic then the magic always shines though.
Shane MacGowan to me is the most genuine,true, real and honestly pure musician on the face of the Earth.........he is so believable and unfettered by his success and 100% Humble despite his amazing Genius......I Love the man.
A life of alcohol abuse ruins it though. Well maybe not ruin but it is sad to see him now. I lived that life and it is full of loss and sorrow. Best to get out before 40
One of the greatest songs of all time. Its not Christmas without hearing it. LOVED this documentary. Great tribute to Kirsty. God bless her, Shane, and all the Pagues. Best of New Year's to ya all.
I think that what makes this song so great is the fact that once in the while I somehow feel the "need " to listen it. Doesn't matter if it's Christmas or not. It works particularly well whenever I feel shame for something. There are other Christmas songs that I personally refuse to listen even during the festivities, like "All I want for Christmas is you", is way too much for me.
You like the way he lives his life? Jesus. This is a guy with talent to burn, and if it weren't for the senseless, self-destructive way he lives his life it's very likely he would have come out with a sheaf of songs over the years as good as this superb song.
And more. It's also about two young immigrants who go to the fairy tale city of NY, full of hope and dreams Then years later, they've experienced disillusionment and reality. The Great American dream - Irish-style.
Shane MacGowan made history in the music world, he's real, almost innocent. Drunk or not - millions of people listen to his music, he made a mark in this world. Where's your mark?
+Paula Teixeira You're SOOOOOO right. When Kirsty died, I wanted to throw up because I always wanted to go to a Pogues show and see them do that song. My favorite Christmas song, and I don't think it can ever be beat! AND, I live in New York where Bing Crosby is from and helped win World War two with his! Which is???? Give you a hint: "WC"
Paula Teixeira I agree, his music is great, and I love all their music one heard, I've heard 3 albums and a best of album, its all brilliant, they are like the original Dropkick Murphys, I love it and I'm only 15
'I thought it was a disgusting fucking record. It was a cynical pathetic jaded like sort of like. I quite liked the pet shop boys before then'. Shane. (Class. love it!)
So interesting to learn the story behind this song. For me, Fairytale of New York is one of those special songs that can only come about when the stars align. Definitely in the same league as Bohemian Rhapsody or Bridge Over Troubled Water.
you don't have to, it's time has passed, you aren't missing anything it was from maybe 10 years ago, I was probably not in my right mind when I commented
I love the pogues, but why make a doco about a tune that is enjoyed mostly by people who dont really like them, or at least dont know much about them? RSL has all the truly great pogues tunes. It's a weird idea to makie a doco about just one of their many classic tunes, particularly one that really doesn't do them justice.
I'll listen to this song again and again again. It fills me up, makes my chest hurt and my eyes tear every time. I'll never understand just how come these words and music and performance come together so true, so mythical but they do. Always. I'm with everyone below - Best Christmas Song Ever. I listen to it not just during the holiday, but whenever I want to feel moved inside. This doc is beautiful. Thank you.
The most honest (and brilliant) Christmas song ever recorded. It's fine, I suppose, to want to believe life is all about sugar plumb faeries and happiness. But true artistry exposes truth in life and there is a reason Christmas is the top time of year when folks, so inclined, choose to take their life. And god bless Kirsty MacColl. It goes beyond words how much her music and writing, hell, even her life, has inspired and moved me throughout my own. I'll never forget the feeling of when I heard she was no longer with us. And, despite my own convictions sometimes, I always find myself, at some point during the dive, to be saying a little prayer for Kirsty and her children whenever I'm diving off Cozumel.
Fare thee well Shane nov. 30 2023 ... an amazing talented band hugely influencal energetic man and group ... have a pint of guiness tonight and toast the lads ! Rest easy Shane
