Fairytale of New York (feat. Kirsty MacColl)

Fairytale of New York is widely considered an "anti-Christmas" anthem that subverts the traditional holiday tropes of peace, joy, and family gatherings. Instead, it offers a gritty, realistic, and ultimately human portrayal of the immigrant experience, addiction, and a dysfunctional relationship.

At its core, the song explores the disillusionment of the American Dream. The characters arrive in New York with grand ambitions ("I could see a better time"), believing they will conquer Broadway. However, the lyrics reveal a stark contrast between these youthful expectations and their harsh reality, characterized by drug use, alcoholism, and poverty. The "Fairytale" in the title is ironic; their life is anything but a fairy tale, yet the title also suggests the mythical quality New York holds for Irish immigrants.

The relationship between the two singers represents a trauma bond. They are inextricably linked by their shared past and their mutual failures. The switch from the romantic, sweeping melody of the verses to the upbeat, aggressive tempo of the argument section mirrors the volatility of their love. They say terrible things to one another, yet the ending—"I kept them with my own"—suggests a deep, enduring loyalty. They are the only witnesses to each other's lives.

Finally, the song serves as a powerful piece of diaspora literature. References to "Galway Bay" and the NYPD choir highlight the longing for home (Ireland) while being stuck in the new world. The song suggests that even in the gutter, amidst broken dreams and insults, there is a glimmer of redemption and community found in music and the shared experience of survival on Christmas.

The narrative begins in the gloomy confines of a drunk tank on Christmas Eve. An isolated narrator reflects on his predicament, listening to an old man in the cell adjacent to him singing a traditional Irish ballad, "The Rare Old Mountain Dew." As the old man drifts into slumber, dreaming of luck and gambling winnings, the narrator turns his face away, dreaming instead of a specific person—his lover. This solitary moment sparks a transition in the story, moving from the lonely present to a memory of the past.

The scene shifts dramatically, recalling a time of immense hope and promise. The narrator addresses his partner, reminiscing about the time she took his hand on a cold Christmas Eve in New York City, promising him that Broadway was waiting for him. The memory paints a picture of a vibrant, overwhelming city where the cars were as large as bars of gold and the nightlife was exhilarating. In this flashback, the couple is young, ambitious, and deeply in love. They speak of conquering the world, with her declaring him the "King of the hill" and him calling her his "Queen of New York City." They believe that the luck and the bright lights are specifically meant for them, fueled by optimism and perhaps alcohol.

However, the tone takes a sharp, aggressive turn as the reality of their relationship is laid bare. The affection dissolves into a bitter, vitriolic argument. They trade vicious insults, attacking each other's character and failures. She calls him a bum and a punk; he retaliates by calling her an old slut and a junkie. The lyrics descend into a raw exchange of slurs and resentment, painting a portrait of a toxic codependency where two people are trapped by their addictions and their shared history. They lament the years that have passed, realizing that their youthful dreams of Broadway stardom have decayed into a gritty, disappointing reality.

Despite the venomous fighting, the song resolves into a moment of poignant resignation and interdependence. When she accuses him of taking her dreams away, he counters softly that he kept them with his own. The narrative concludes with the recurring chorus that binds them together despite their brokenness: the sound of the NYPD choir singing the Irish tune "Galway Bay." As the bells ring out for Christmas Day, the couple remains locked in their cycle of love, hate, and survival, finding a strange, sad comfort in the music and the holiday that persists around them.

The creation of Fairytale of New York was a laborious process that spanned two years. It began in 1985 when Elvis Costello, who was producing the band at the time, allegedly bet The Pogues they couldn't write a Christmas hit song. The initial concept was drafted by banjo player Jem Finer, originally concerning a sailor missing his wife, but frontman Shane MacGowan found the plot sentimental and reworked the narrative to focus on a couple down on their luck in New York.

MacGowan cited the 1973 novel A Fairy Tale of New York by J. P. Donleavy as the inspiration for the title, though the song's plot does not follow the book. The musical structure was complex; the band struggled to marry the slow, piano-led intro with the upbeat Irish jig of the main body. The song went through various rewrites and demo recordings.

A major hurdle was the female vocal. The song was originally intended as a duet between MacGowan and the band's bassist, Cait O'Riordan. However, O'Riordan left the band (and married Elvis Costello) before the final recording. When Steve Lillywhite took over production duties for the album If I Should Fall from Grace with God, he brought the track home to his wife, singer Kirsty MacColl. MacColl laid down a guide vocal to show the band how it could sound. The band was blown away by her performance—specifically her ability to match MacGowan's grit with a perfect blend of toughness and vulnerability—and kept her on the track. It was recorded at RAK Studios in London in the summer of 1987.

The lyrics are dense with imagery that contrasts the sacred with the profane:

• The Drunk Tank: Represents rock bottom and confinement. It sets the scene in a place of hopelessness, immediately contrasting with the typical warm, domestic setting of Christmas songs.
• Broadway: Serves as a metonym for the American Dream and success. It represents the height of the couple's aspirations, which makes their eventual fall more tragic.
• "Cars big as bars of gold": A simile illustrating the overwhelming materialism and wealth of America as seen through the eyes of an impoverished immigrant. It suggests that wealth is visible but inaccessible to them.
• The NYPD Choir: A central symbol of the song. Historically, the NYPD did not have a choir (they had a pipe and drum band). The image represents a bridge between the gritty reality of New York law enforcement and the sentimental, musical culture of the Irish diaspora. Their singing of "Galway Bay" symbolizes the persistence of heritage and nostalgia.
• The Bells: The recurring ringing of the bells acts as a motif for time passing and the unavoidable arrival of Christmas, regardless of one's personal misery. They offer a sonic backdrop of potential redemption or judgment.

The emotional landscape of Fairytale of New York is profoundly bittersweet. It begins with a tone of solitary melancholy and regret, established by the lone piano and MacGowan's weary vocals. As the tempo kicks in, the emotion shifts to a mix of nostalgic joy and aggressive tension.

The central duet captures a volatile mix of anger and love. The insults are delivered with genuine venom, yet the underlying harmony suggests an unbreakable bond. The swelling strings and the upbeat folk arrangement create a sense of triumphant resilience, suggesting that even in the face of broken dreams ("dreams I've buried"), there is a defiant celebration of life. The final fade-out leaves the listener with a sense of wistful longing, not quite happy, but deeply human and cathartic.

Fairytale of New York is arguably the most beloved Christmas song in the United Kingdom and Ireland, frequently topping "greatest Christmas song" polls and beating out standard pop hits. It has spent more time in the UK Top 20 than any other song. Its legacy is defined by its authenticity; it provides an alternative to the sugary, commercialized positivity of typical holiday music.

The song has faced significant censorship controversies over the years, specifically regarding the use of the word "faggot" and "slut." Broadcasters like BBC Radio 1 have periodically censored the lyrics, leading to public outcries, debates about context versus offense, and subsequent reversals of bans. Despite this, it remains a staple.

It has been covered by numerous artists, including Ed Sheeran, Florence + The Machine, and The Killers, though few versions rival the original's acclaim. For The Pogues, it remains their signature song, cementing Shane MacGowan's status as one of Ireland's greatest songwriters and immortalizing Kirsty MacColl, who tragically died in 2000.

Rhythm and Meter: The song is distinct for its two-part structure. The introduction is in a slow 4/4 time (rubato feel), driven by piano, creating a somber, solitary atmosphere. At the lyric "Sinatra was swinging," the rhythm transforms into a lively 6/8 compound meter (a jig), which creates a swaying, dance-like feel. This 6/8 rhythm is infectious and communal, contrasting with the solitary opening, and drives the energy of the argument.

Rhyme Scheme: The lyrics employ a mix of rhyme schemes, often utilizing AABB or ABAB couplets. The rhymes are generally perfect and punchy (e.g., hand/land, tight/night), which gives the storytelling a folklore or nursery-rhyme quality. However, during the argument section, the rhyming serves to accentuate the insults, landing heavily on the final words of each line to emphasize the vitriol (e.g., scumbag/maggot, cheap/heap). The phrasing is conversational, often stretching across the bar lines to mimic natural speech patterns.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Fusion: The song masterfully blends a slow, melancholic piano ballad (the intro) with an up-tempo Irish folk jig (6/8 time). This structural shift mirrors the narrative arc from lonely reflection to chaotic interaction.
• Instrumentation: The arrangement utilizes traditional Celtic instruments (tin whistle, harp, fiddle, accordion) alongside rock instrumentation and strings. The string arrangement gives the song a cinematic, "Hollywood" feel that contrasts with the rough vocals.
• Vocal Delivery: Shane MacGowan's delivery is slurred, gravelly, and raw, embodying the character of the drunkard. Kirsty MacColl provides a sharp contrast; her voice is clear and melodic but she adopts an aggressive, conversational phrasing during the argument, matching MacGowan's energy.

Literary Techniques:

• Call and Response: The verses function as a dialogue, allowing the listener to hear two distinct perspectives on the same shared history.
• Irony: The juxtaposition of a joyous musical backing with lyrics about drug addiction and domestic verbal abuse.
• Vernacular/Slang: The use of words like "punk," "slut," "arse," and "faggot" (in the context of Irish slang for a lazy person, though highly controversial for its homophobic slur usage) grounds the song in a harsh, working-class reality, avoiding poetic polish for emotional authenticity.

What is the meaning of the controversy surrounding the lyrics?

The controversy centers on the lines 'You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot.' The use of the slur 'faggot' has drawn criticism for being homophobic. Defenders argue it is used in the context of Irish slang (meaning a lazy person) or character authenticity, while critics argue the word is offensive regardless of intent. Some radio stations mute the word.

Does the NYPD choir actually sing 'Galway Bay'?

No. The NYPD has a Pipes and Drums band, not a choir. furthermore, 'Galway Bay' is not a standard part of their repertoire. The line is a poetic invention by the songwriters to evoke Irish-American heritage. In the music video, the NYPD pipe band is featured, but they are playing the 'Mickey Mouse Club March' because they didn't know 'Galway Bay'.

Who is the female singer in Fairytale of New York?

The female vocals are performed by Kirsty MacColl. She was the wife of the song's producer, Steve Lillywhite. She was brought in to record a guide vocal after the original intended singer, Cait O'Riordan, left the band, but The Pogues loved her performance so much they kept it.

Is Fairytale of New York a cover song?

No, it is an original song written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan of The Pogues. However, the title is borrowed from the 1973 novel 'A Fairy Tale of New York' by J. P. Donleavy.

What does 'drunk tank' mean in the song?

A 'drunk tank' is a slang term for a jail cell or holding area where police hold people who have been arrested for public intoxication until they sober up. The song opens with the narrator locked in one of these cells on Christmas Eve.