Fairytale of New York should be banned from radio

[Alrighteo]

This is from one of the UK tabolids

Gratuities will go to whomever they'll go to.

Is it still acceptable to stick a sable under the tree?

Only if the fur is still attached to the original owner. Quite bitey though, so arguably not the ideal gift.

I don’t think it should be banned or changed, and I am a cheap lousy faggot.

Come on, it’s not intended as homophobic.

Does it really matter if it is? It's one of the characters (apparently a heroin addict) insulting her partner as part of the story. The song does not seem to normalise or ask us to approve the abuse, any more than Ma Baker normalises or asks us to approve of gun violence.

www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas/2017/12/08/shane-macgowan-christmas-song-good-not-best/

Shane himself gives the honour to Nat King Cole.
Like many he thinks of Kirsty when he hears Fairytale.
The song itself was a result of a bet with Elvis Costello.
Interesting interview above.

I coulda been someone....
Well so could anyone!

I love that line

Sorry, but I don’t think “you scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy fgot” is lyrical mastery, personally.
Amphibrachs and repetition ("you"), conveying the rage of a woman thinking of spontaneous insults and spitting them out. And the "cheap lou..." are both stressed, suggesting her rising venom as she unleashes her disappointment onto the man who she have her youth to.

If snowflakes are offended then I suggest they stick to their own swear words and porn approving lyrics in the songs they're not offended by and leave those of us who appreciate real music sung with real emotion .

It's one of the characters (apparently a heroin addict) insulting her partner as part of the story.

Exactly. Always surprised at how literal-minded people can be.

Talking of literal-minded, apparently the NYPD don't have a choir. (Sorry if anyone's already mentioned this and I missed it.)

I hate that song. It's not in the least bit Christmassy but saying that I wouldnt ban it. I just switch stations if it comes on the radio. Simple solution.

My understanding is that 50% of the profits for any use of this song go towards Kirsty's mum's legal battle to see the Mexican playboy who ran her over in shallow waters brought to justice. He paid £1450 to the family for virtually cutting her in half

The "playboy" who killed her died aged 92 in 2009

In fact if you compare it to most Xmas pop songs it’s an absolute classic. I can’t stand most of them!!

Love how folk want it banned when modern rap preaches rape and violence

Scratch that. wikipedia lied to me

I’m truly amazed that some people actually need this song and the lyrics explained to them.

Love the Pogues and KM - it's a great song. DS and his guitar tutor were jazzing up Christmas songs as an exercise but wouldn't touch FTONY as they reckon it's pretty well perfect already.
If you don't like it just turn it off - simples.

DS is convinced that DJ wotsisface is in cahoots with the band to push the royalties up, mind you ...

Bloody hell. I’m shocked some people don’t get that it’s a good thing that a variety of different realities are portrayed in the arts, and not all of them are pretty and wrapped up in a bow. What a sheltered existence some must lead.

Not because of the lyrics but because I'm sick to bloody death of it having had to hear it every sodding year since it's release

No, but they should ban that claptrap new version of Baby Its Cold Outside. I love Kelly Clarksom but jesus, that song makes me want to roll my eyes so hard that I can see my brain!

I'm sick to bloody death of it having had to hear it every sodding year since it's release

On the same basis it's goodbye to Silent Night, Jingle Bells and Adeste Fidelis

This thread has been uplifting.
If they ban it, that's fine. Because there will be 10 times more radio stations to play it.

I loved the song the first time I heard it 32 years ago, and still do, along with Kirsty's unique voice.

But... why are people getting offended over the use of the word faggot? Even if it was a gay slur (which it isn't) why would it be relevant in a song about a heterosexual relationship between a man and woman.

I think it's a case of 'This Irish song, how can we stop it? I know, it mentions faggot'. And so it goes.

Bloody hell. I’m shocked some people don’t get that it’s a good thing that a variety of different realities are portrayed in the arts, and not all of them are pretty and wrapped up in a bow

Good post.

I always tear up when I hear it! Crazy but I do. 32 years I've been listening to it. It is such a raw, human story, full of failure and evaporated hope.
My mum's parents lost their farm in Ireland. My mum emigrated to New York in the winter of '61. Her brothers moved over to Finsbury Park in London, eventually heading to the States, where I was born. And although I imagine my mum was never in the drunk tank , that song has that whole feeling of hardship and loss that comes with emigrating. It really is an Immigrant's Song.
It's a fucking great tune. Kirsty Maccoll is a queen.
And Shane MacGowan uttered one of the best quotes, not just of the '80s but EVER, "Fuck you! You and your fucking Batman!"