Podunkian Music Club-September 23

The Pogues And Kirsty MacColl Fairytale Of New York


Tis a wonderful thing boyo this rock music thing. Probably the best known song ever put out by The Pogues, an English based punk/ new wave (now called alternative/roots) band with their sound firmly traced back to Ireland, a band that had as colourful a story to tell as any band to leave the fabled Isle.

Fronted at the time by Shane McCown, he and Kristy MacColl weave a love story that turns into the decline of civilization as they knew it. Listen carefully to the lyrics as we go from eavesdropping on gooey eyed lovers to spittle blasting enemies, ain't love a grand thing!

You'll see this one make an appearance from time to time around the Christmas period, kind of a Bad Santa tune, one to counteract all the chestnuts roasting on open fires and sleigh ride tunes clogging up the air.

But in fact, Fairytale of New York is just a slice of everyday life, with wonderful use of lyrics put to a great tune.

Group-The Pogues
CD-If I should fall from Grace with God
Website