My kind of holiday song : NPR

The holiday music season has commenced, filling stores, radio stations, and homes with festive tunes. One enduring classic is “Fairytale of New York,” performed by The Pogues, which offers a different take on traditional holiday songs.

“It was Christmas Eve babe
In the drunk tank
An old man said to me, won’t see another one…”

This song is set against a backdrop of vintage black-and-white films and Frank Sinatra melodies, telling the story of an Irish immigrant who finds himself spending Christmas Eve in a New York City jail. On the cold floor, he reflects on his dreams of a life in America, particularly of the woman who shared those aspirations:

“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…”

The song features a couple, portrayed by Kirsty MacColl and Shane MacGowan, who exchange harsh words and regrets about their lost dreams.

Over the years, various artists have performed their own renditions of the song, sometimes altering some of the more explicit language with the band’s approval, allowing for broader airplay.

“Fairytale of New York” has established itself as a holiday staple, resonating with those who may feel anxious, lonely, or excluded from the typical cheerful holiday narratives.

Despite the couple’s quarrels, they also acknowledge their growth together:

“You took my dreams…” she states.

He responds, “I put them with my own…”

Nearly four decades later, The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York” serves as a poignant reminder that navigating life’s challenges can draw people closer together:

“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

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