The most POPULAR Christmas song in the UK is ALL about the story.

[@PamK36]

And RIP Kirsty. She did some great records.

[@LeftLib]

Her cover of Days by the Kinks was her greatest moment, her version improved on the original - a remarkable achievement.

[@seankayll9017]

@@LeftLib "Kite" is indeed a masterpiece of an album.

[@behemothsbaby]

Two musical geniuses are now angels…

[@carolineyates4746]

Shane MacGowan was actually born on Christmas day, so brilliant how this song is such a christmas classic and im sure it will be for many many years to come

[@Ronnie-nh1wl]

Every body thinks Shane was born in Ireland but he was actually born in England in Kent to Irish parents

[@kathrynrocha9948]

This song is sad , ugly, beautiful, gritty and refined, all at the same time.

[@margaretmcguire8952]

Just like Shane himself.

[@Rollin_L]

I don't think it can be described any better than that. It is a masterpiece of mixed evocations and marvelous musicality.

[@palindrome1959]

It couldn't have been said better. My sentiments exactly ...

[@charlieranger4598]

I do love this song! Jappy Christmas and R.I.P. Shane MacGowan 💚🤍🧡

[@sully_n_dubs]

Love this song. it's like a perfectly balanced piece of artwork. That last verse wouldn't be so uplifting had it not been for the fighting verse. I interpret the start of that last verse " you took my dreams away" as less of a complaint and more of a confession of the loss of self... and then he dovetails it w his response. I feel like this was the start of pairing a beautiful female voice w a rough sounding masculine voice as was done in the 90s and 2000s in hip hop.

[@TorToroPorco]

Pretty sad that both Shane and Kristy are gone. Kristy's death was especially senseless as it was caused by someone else's gross negligence. Shane was such a great story teller. It was deeply touching to see video of Dubliners singing in the streets on the day of his funeral, in particular a rousing rendition of Dirty Old Town. Shane's funeral service also had some excellent musical performances from notable musicians including Glen Hansard and Nick Cave.

[@M0odyBlue]

Nobody does a funeral like the Irish!!

[@kathleen109]

Kirsty...

[@davidpaterson2309]

And a nice coincidence that “Dirty Old Town” was written and first performed by Kirsty’s father, Ewan. And although it has been adopted as an Irish song it’s original original subject was Salford, Lancashire - symbolic of the decaying industrial towns of Northern England.

[@bluesnowbelle7625]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@davidpaterson2309 Most of the population of the town (at least when the song was written in 1949 and for many decades afterwards) had Irish ancestry plus some Welsh & Scottish) and an influx from the farming communities of Cheshire, Shropshire etc., lured there by all the jobs in the mills, factories & shipping docks during the Industrial Revolution. The Manchester Ship Canal ran from the Irish Sea & terminated in Salford. Transport to the new industries was made easier in 1830 by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway which was the first inter-city railway in the world.

[@bluesnowbelle7625]

⁠Incidentally, Ewan MacColl (born in Salford) also wrote one of the most beautiful love songs ever recorded - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

[@michelleb3698]

This song has bags of character, and the songwriting is masterful. Shane was a truly great writer - A Pair of Brown Eyes is another masterpiece. Rest in peace Shane McGowen.

[@MyAltdraco]

That was the one I requested, too. :)

[@knobbynah]

Best Christmas song ever. This is played in bars here in NYC all the time at this time of year.

[@Badmmajmma]

I’ve always gotten goosebumps listening to this song. The lines, “You took my dreams from me”…”I kept them with me babe, I put them with my own”, always touches me so much. Thanks for the fantastic tribute, Fil, Happy Christmas.

[@kellydalstok8900]

It’s clearly a story about people who love each other but bring out the worst in each other as well.

[@lucylou5766]

Me too! Those exact lines bring tears

[@Tomes23]

Me too. I was just telling this to my better half. Life didn’t turn out like I wanted it to, but I would not dream of walking this path with anyone else.

[@AyebeeMk2]

"This one's for Kirsty"; was always the phrase Shane would use when introducing the song at a live performance. I have the honour of seeing them both performing this song live; now we have "This one's for Shane and Krsty"! RIP both.

[@58frascatti]

Finally! A critique of this wonderful song by someone who gets its importance and how it reflects the working class (wide majority by the way) of the UK and Ireland in the 80s. To me, it’s up there with the great operettas, encapsulating in a few lines & jarring juxtaposition of musical expressions the range of human experience with acceptance of the incongruities of life. That’s a hard trick to manage in such a few words and instrumental accompaniment. The funeral perfectly demonstrated the whole concept. For me it drowned out the clamour of yapping voices for at least a day or two. ❤️ I’m grateful for that.

[@Tomes23]

Amen. The other reviews I have seen are really bad.

[@ExUSSailor]

R.I.P. Shane. There will never be another like him.

[@shanesmith2853]

This and Rainy Night in Soho never fail to bring a tear to my eye. R.I.P. Shane and Kirsty

[@Blondie101010100]

Shane's song will be around in hundreds of years... it's a masterpiece. Suaimhneas síoraí, Shane ❤ 🇮🇪 Thank you for the great discussion video.

[@annika_panicka]

_"I could have been someone."_ _"Well so could anyone."_ Such an epic moment

[@kaspinet]

And she says 'found you'. Anyone else would have said 'met you'. Yet another moment where just a simple turn of phrase makes the lyrics exquisite.

[@rumbalala]

It’s a relationship and a history in microcosm. The fact that it’s a Christmas song just makes it both more sad and more relatable, and musically more joyous. I love it. Merry Christmas all. ❤

[@ThatCanadianGuy-e1p]

In Canada here, and I have long loved this song for Christmas.

[@dereks1264]

This song is a story in three parts - past, present and future - and reflects so much of what so many feel and experience at this time of year. "Shane was a person who, in real life, did like to have a drink" has got to be the understatement of all time.

[@Wherever56]

One of my favourite Christmas songs . I love the melody , the angst , regrets and the slagging each other . They say in Ireland the more they slag you the better they like you .

[@gabe8390]

It was always a Christmas song, now it sounds more like a final farewell greeting from Shane to all of us. As if it was providence that he died in this time and we all celebrate this song and Shane with love in our hearts and he rises to heaven with our good blessings.

[@CaseysRepository]

Irish song at it's finest 💚 RIP Shane 💚🙏🙏

[@PontiacS.]

RIP Shane McGowan.

[@JC-rb3hj]

Funniest Christmas song ever! For those that don't know Kirsty MacColl ( Ewan MacColl's daughter) was not only a fantastic singer but a wonderful songwriter. She had a wicked sense of humor that made her songs so unforgettable. We lost her way too early. Thanks for covering this Christmas sweet.

[@reneeinla2.0]

Fun fact: the NYPD “choir” you see in the video is, in fact, the NYPD drum corps. The NYPD doesn’t actually have a choir. They asked the drum corps members to sing for the video and the only song they all knew was the Mickey Mouse Club song so that’s what they were singing in the video.

[@lindaross783]

I doubt that

[@reneeinla2.0]

@@lindaross783 it’s true. I saw a short documentary of the making of the video and a few of the drum corps members were interviewed. None of them knew Galway Bay and they all knew the MMC song so that’s what they sang.

[@B7S5-ed6vc]

I don’t know about the Mickey Mouse bit, but have just read that there now exists an NYPD choir, which there didn’t before November 2023!

[@intothedepthscoco]

It is true. Does Google not exist anymore? I never understand why people don't look things up, they either ask someone in the comments to give them info they don't know or just are quick to not believe, when it is information you could confirm with a quick Google search. She left out that because they couldn't do Galway Bay, they played the Mickey Mouse Club song and then when putting the video together, the cuts used were slowed down to try to make it appear somewhat like😊 it could be "Galway Bay".

[@ko0974]

All true, also Shane himself up until than had never been to Americia! EPCH have just released a video of NYPD now actually singing Galway bay .its beautiful..on yt

[@onewomanandherdog5219]

Best Christmas song ever, and underneath it all, it's a love song!

[@jarmomarkkanen2473]

My favorite Xmas song. No sugarcoating, instead tastes real life (tm).

[@chthoniapodcast]

Weirdly I have never heard this song until now, and it's wonderfully powerful. It definitely captures the essence of the Irish immigrant to the USA, particularly in the early 20th century. I can relate a lot to this story via my own family stories, both from the Irish and the Slovakian side--and from living in Ireland for a time. But the Irish are wonderful at telling sad stories in a dramatic way. Sorry to hear of the passing of Shane McGowan, I hope he was given a traditionally good Irish send-up.

[@niallmcentee9400]

He certainly was

[@jameswiglesworth5004]

I think you mean send off !!!

[@simoncanterbury]

Not heard it before ? Where on earth have you been living? Lol.

[@jeffrielley920]

@@simoncanterbury I've never heard this song played on the radio in the US. It got attention in the media a few years ago when people were complaining about the language, but I had to look it up on KZbin.

[@barbaramilone2800]

@@jeffrielley920 I never heard this song, either. Then again, it came out late in 1987, and I had a newborn in the house, born that November, so I wasn't really paying attention to the radio! 😄

[@reneeinla2.0]

I’m sure Shane and Kirsty are singing together somewhere out there in the great beyond. RIP. 🍺

[@Ronnie-nh1wl]

I love this song because it introduced many people to Irish music who wouldn't have ever listened to that kind of music. It's also a very emotional ballad because people who have substance issues not necessarily alcohol know the experience he's expressing . I've woken up in a cell in a police station wondering what happened. It's happened on my birthday, on Christmas eve and day. RIP Shane McGowan & Kirsty McColl

[@tortoiseperson]

Thank you for posting this. I've loved this song forever. It's real, it's raw and it's poignant and reflects how Christmas is for most people more than the shiny jingly stuff. And wow, Shane could sing! for me the most effective parts are where Kirsty's voice goes lower than his (within their own octaves if you see what I mean). I've heard it hundreds of times but it always brings me to tears. Not least tonight. RIP Kirsty and Shane.

[@rickedwards7276]

Really glad you did this one. I’ve loved this song for decades now. I was living in Melbourne in the 80s and got to see the Pogues in Saint Kilda. In objective terms it was a terrible show. Shane was so drunk he couldn’t remember the words and, in the second half of the show, the accordion player was so drunk he fell off the stage and finished the set out playing on his back on the floor. But it was awesome. The energy and the spirit are hard to describe. The song is such a refreshing change from the normally saccharine and unrealistic images we all have of Christmas. It’s real and human and flawed and masterful in its ability to tell us a story in such a short period of time. Love the Pogues and their music and I’m very sad that Shane is gone.

[@dinkster1729]

Did you ask for your money back or is it part of the punk mystique that you had to be drunk?

[@rickedwards7276]

@@dinkster1729 would never have occurred to me. They put on a great show. If I wanted perfect I would just listen to the recordings again.

[@kevins2961]

Great audience response part I have heard when this is played in British pubs etc and the line comes up 'I could have been someone' The whole crowd sing 'So could anyone'

[@paulcarr5918]

Thank you for finally being someone who points out that they were singing as characters in a story where they were not necessarily supposed to be upstanding role models. I remember the first time I really listened to the Pogues. It was 1992, so after Shane was no longer with them. I had heard of them but never really listened until then. Someone played Hell's Ditch for me, then going back on my own listening to their previous albums, and I remember wondering why these guys weren't the biggest thing in the world. Shane was truly a poet. I saw someone else mention Tom Waits in the comments here, who I had discovered not too terribly long before that as well. They both quickly became, and have stayed, two of my favorite songwriters ever along with Nick Cave who did a fantastic rendition of Raint Night In Soho at Shane's funeral. I frequently enjoy listening to the version of Haunted that he did with Sinead O'Connor as well. RIP both of them. Despite all of his issues, Shane really was just a good soul.

[@stacyrynd7110]

Hard to believe both Shane and Kirsty are gone. I like a lot of the Pogues music and am glad this provided a comfortable retirement for Shane. James Fearnly wrote a memoir a while back. It’s worth reading if you can find it.

[@theesbband]

Fil: I really appreciate this: I do apologise for being an absent friend. Time is not always kind to people who are beyond a certain age. The accuracy comes from the extraordinarily brilliant Kirsty: her sense of harmony and melody were simply as good as it gets. I’m still astonished that Shane’s colleagues never said to him that being a wreck is not a photo opportunity. He was so proud and tuneful that we may have lost about 60% of what he could have done. I used to almost despair and fill up watching Shane being treated as a joke. They are both so missed. There’s a guy…. Best, Tom and Isobel Thatcher. xx

[@TheGotoGeek]

Oh, Shane’s bandmates absolutely did ride him for being a wreck. They did kick him out at one point, after all. I met him once in a bar in London, and the guy was six sheets at least, and it wasn’t midnight. I’m shocked that he made it to 65. But Shane was an addict, and I suspect that he didn’t think he could go to the places where his art lived without booze and smack, so he never stopped. Maybe he was right. The stories that he brought back of broken people speak so strongly to many of us.

[@theesbband]

@@TheGotoGeek Yes, you’re right. I’ve remembered more and looked into it further: I had no idea that a quite large number of folk, many Irish, referred to him as the Plastic Paddy, and found his embracing of extreme sectarian “politics” and of some genuinely unpleasant “republicans” deeply unsavoury. It’s the old thing: psychologists call it the “Bully Attachment Syndrome:” a prime example is Jezza, of course: “If I suck up to them they won’t get me….”😡 It’s a genuine shame that SM’s main selling point was his alcohol-bloated face, empty eyes and repulsive teeth. FFS, what was funny, appealing or attractive about any of that? Going to the dentist is not an achievement, nor is being permanently pissed. People cluster around drunk/drugged celebrities to see how much they can stuff in. Ha-bloody-ha. Another utterly dysfunctional but talented musician, Sinead O’C, seems to be about the only one who didn’t find the drunken slob funny. It’s also a great pity that he never really have credit to Ewan McColl for Dirty Old Town, ironic in the extreme, especially when Rod Stewart, in 1969 a non-stop gigging musician and great songwriter, did an exceptional reading on his first solo album. I think that Shane had very distinctive talent and a way with words: but there is very little left behind, and being a drunken joke is not a …. joke. The Pogues, almost to a man, were excellent players, but so were Horslips and countless other folk/trad groups. If there is a near-contemporary Irish musician who wrote about loneliness and the human condition with great lyricism, step forward Rory Gallagher. He loathed the murderous sectarianism and ignored the threats because they all loved him, and unlike Van the “Man,” didn’t FO to California when the going got rough. He played and brought all sides together. Blaring The Irish Rover isn’t that creative. Sadly.

[@1SeanBond]

I Seen Him & the band in the Expo Hall in Vancouver B.C in 1988. To see him live was unbelievable beyond the realms of a CD or Album. I sure appreciate you covering him after his recent passing. This was a awesome vlog Fil. Lol best holiday tune with your special Lady! Your analysis has me in tears lol yeah I'm part Irish.😊 RIP Shane McGowan🙏✌🏼

[@isladurrant2015]

I was poleaxed when I first heard it and I still pause when it comes on wherever I might be. To my mind it's a great poem and has truth, really a work of art that, hopefully, will last millennia. For those who aren't having a sugar-candied Waltons/Disney Christmas! Peace, love and keep safe x

[@elisabethaxelsson4736]

This group is a group I not has listen to so much, I like the Irish sound . Good song

[@Sonia-xyz]

I love it, I love the Irish sound. May they both Rest in Peace. 🤍🪽🕊🕯

[@Tornado1994]

This. May they both Rest Eternally.

[@perseapolaris9015]

A little moved by this ballad..🥺 waves of nostalgia..thanks Fil...👍🩷

[@Marhea74]

I'm excited for your video and I'm not even 1 minute into it yet! This American has loved The Pogues since 1988! And Kirsty's voice has always sounded like bliss to me, and not just with this ballad. And yes, it is all about the story! It covers a variety of emotions. R.I.P. to her and Shane 💖

[@veramilton833]

I actually loved this song , story ! It is so not what one may think of a popular Christmas song , but then again, the story definitely makes it a Christmas song ! It took me to a place where I could actually see this story playing out in real life! Definitely has that theater feel ! Just loved it !❤ Thanks for bringing this to us , Fil, as I may have never heard it without you !

[@debbier938]

Hi Fil, Such a cool song! Not your typical Christmas tune, but all the real nonetheless. Great job on this tribute to Shane McGowan and May he RIP. Debbie☮️

[@rolanddunk5054]

Hi Fil,I have just read the lyrics to this song and I was amazed…all the years I have been listening to it and it is only now that I understand….it is brilliant.Thank you for bringing it to my attention.cheers Roly🇬🇧.

[@mimi-3212]

I heard this song for the first time only a week ago, so it's great to hear it again with the addition of Fil's analysis. Great melody and I love the old folk song feel.

[@janeteitsworth8824]

Great Reaction and analysis. This song is truly different based on what we hear in the USA. May Shane rest in peace.

[@niallmcentee9400]

Well said, it's a story about a couple, a bit worse for wear, having an argument. It makes the song more real that these words are used. When have you ever hear people having an argument being polite to each other. People need to understand the context and stop being offended.

[@M0odyBlue]

If it offends your ears, by all means, don’t listen.

[@ko0974]

The word. Back in the day in Ireland meant a person acting up, being silly ,same as maggot, and as Shane Immersed himself in old Irish poems and stories he found and used it in that context

[@thecocktailian2091]

Ahhh, but we are in an age that we must take offense at everything. There is not a poem, book, film or work of art that is not offensive to someone for some BS self aggrandizing reason.

[@WoefulMinion]

I think you can also tell that while the couple is rehashing an argument they've had for years, they obviously have a lot of affection for one another in spite of their faults.

[@mauraorourke9849]

​@@M0odyBluei am a grandmother & I occassionally use the word faggot when grandkids are misbehaving. My dear mother used it as" thats a little faggot always causing arguements". Possibly because a faggot is a bundle of sticks tied together used for lighting fires hence the one being caled it was fiery (bad tempered) So thats the true meaning of the word. Nothing offensive about it at all I was however shocked to learn some years ago that it evolved into slang to degrade. Ban the slang meaning but not a word from the English language

[@reneeinla2.0]

You’re so kind Fil, trying not to state the obvious. Shane was famous for his wild abuse of the drink. Lol. I had the great pleasure of seeing the Pogues live a few times and Shane was more drunk than the whole audience, and that’s saying something because the audience was pretty drunk. Having said that, these shows were some of the best times I ever had.

[@thecocktailian2091]

I saw him twice. Once was sublime, the other terrible. Shane could at times be too far in the cups.

[@dinkster1729]

The commentator is so nice about Shane's boozing, isn't he?

[@Tredecimus]

Fil, you really hit the point when you say: that’s a dose of reality on Christmas Day, no „peace, happiness and pancake“ (German saying), that you have in every other song for the season. But with all the bad things and the insults and everything it’s still not depressing. It captures that idea that still there is a chance to find happiness with another person and that you don’t give up on that hope. And that’s a great idea for Christmas anyway.

[@Michellemari15]

As a Christin and being a Pastors wife for 40 years,this song shows the other side of Christmas and the " festive" season. We tend to think everybody is extra happy/ time of joy. Listining and singing all the happy songs. In Church ... of peace on earth/ all is well. Every year at Xmas my heart and thoughts go out to millions and millions people that is in pain at this time- the opposite of what what we hear in this time( no jingle bells for them). I am 64 and it was with the passing of Shane that I first heard of his life and songs. This is the other part of Xmas time that we never want to hear. Beautiful❤. These last two weeks... I am playing this everyday - about 10 times. What a wonderful human being he was. The gift that God gave Shane... his voice/ poetry will be for ever on earth. To his family - I pray for this first Xmas without Shane. 🙏 RIP Shane❤

[@davidmahon9076]

Super, thank you and Happy Christmas from Ireland

[@moose6509]

Wonderful analysis of a sublime song. Check out the Pogues performing it at Shane´s funeral, it´s majestic.

[@tonymolloy6165]

Glen Hansard and Lisa O'Neill sang it accompanied by The Pogues

[@marypthompson6349]

It was lovely.

[@deborahmccartney5694]

Haven't heard this in ages. A sad and beautiful song! RIP Shane! Fil, thank you so much for this!!!💜

[@frankbolger3969]

Thanks for doing your usual superlative job, and doing right by Shane and Kirsty.

[@phranerphamily]

Kirsty MacColl was amazing! She did a song called In These Shoes which is my go-to karaoke song. She was gone far too soon. I have perfect pitch and the first time I heard this I kept trying to fix it in my head but that was before I understood what they were doing. This song isn't a thing here in the United States and so the first time I heard it was in 2018. So I'm very late to this party lol. Thanks Fil for explaining it even more and for highlighting Kirsty. Happy Christmas

[@TetsujinNijuhachigo]

As a singer, you do feel you have to copy the imperfections in the tuning, otherwise it doesn't work. I've done this as karaoke with my partner, and if you don't do it 'wrong'… it's wrong. ;) I have a similar thing with Oasis' Wonderwall. if you don't sing sharp it doesn't work. That comma pump in the chorus is almost what makes the song.

[@phranerphamily]

@@TetsujinNijuhachigo I always do it exactly as done but those imperfections make it harder and also are what make the song. My range isn't what it was when I was younger so doing Kate Bush is a lot more challenging so I leave that to my husband who's actually a true musician/singer instead of me because I just copy :)

[@silekiernanphotography]

Places I've lived in the US play the song at Christmas, guess it depends on the radio stations you listen to.

[@phranerphamily]

@@silekiernanphotography I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and never heard this song. That doesn't mean it wasn't played just it wasn't played on any of the radio stations I grew up with which we're all rock and roll. But Seattle's a weird radio market. For example Howard Stern tried for years to have his radio show syndicated here and every time he tried no one listened.

[@silekiernanphotography]

@@phranerphamily Hi Darylyn, I live in the PNW and have heard it here over the years, probably KEXP. Didn't know that about Howard Stern, interesting.

[@ridgebackdk]

always loved the snare sound ... just the perfect lift and back beat for the melody ...

[@TetsujinNijuhachigo]

"I love you, but not when we're both annoyingly drunk." 'Traditional' married life in a nutshell. The split to two part makes me cry every time - that nails the song, it gives away that the whole structure is 'smarter' than you might first think. …and the 5/4 bar is a great trip-up for the unwary singing along.

[@sonotdown998]

Excellent video as always! The fact that you weren’t bawling by 11:46 speaks to your consummate professionalism.

[@kaspinet]

I made up for by crying buckets all the way across the Atlantic in Washington DC.

[@bobbyboko6317]

This is one of very few Christmas songs that i never tire of , sad but beautiful

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

I have never heard this song before. It starts out hopeful, and then it gets sad. It is emotional.

[@fledglingbodhisatva4821]

Brilliant song. Still gives me chills after all these years.

[@eileenmurphy2019]

I saw the movie PS I Love You in a theater. The song was used in a wake for the main character. People actually became offended and left at those lyrics.

[@electrafone]

I've loved the Poques since I first heard them in the mid-80s, and this has always been one of my favorites. Some of the details in the song are somewhat idealized, such as the fact that there really isn't an NYPD Choir but it fits a common narrative of the Irish in America. Still, it shares a lot of similarities with many other Poques songs: A engaging story heavily rooted in the Irish experience for better or worse, but with a lot of emotion and even romance. And of course fantastic singing from Shane (and Kirsty) and, as always, terrific musicianship from the whole band.

[@dbcooper7326]

A masterpiece.

[@808v1]

dang, I remember this all over the radio - made me sad, happy and everywhere inbetween.

[@irmaoksanen6830]

I was confused about this being such a popular Christmas song but when you talked about the relationship and familial crap that tends to surface at this time of year, it made sense. Also thank you for saying "Christmas" and not "the holidays".

[@anotherjoshua]

This always sounded like a song that could've been written by Tom Waits.

[@kathrynrocha9948]

Totally

[@thecocktailian2091]

Waits has said he did not have a fraction of the talent Shane had. They both come from the working class folk traditional background.

[@nearlysteviedan1275]

Waits & McGowan...what a duo that might've been

[@Lilah1754]

Thanks for this analysis Fil .Never heard this Christmas song before! Enjoyed. RIP Shane

[@jerrymoore838]

Shane was such a trainwreck but I adored his songs and voice. One of a kind. RIP

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

This is so full of the bittersweet flavour of the holidays. It’s a masterpiece. It’s raw and rough and sweet and sour. Thank you

[@philippesauvie639]

I love this song. I first heard it as part of the Julian Schnabel film, ‘Basquiat’ soundtrack.

[@daveluck5717]

Refreshing to hear a sea shanty at xmas 😁

[@magnificentfailure2390]

OMG! Thank you for this one, Fil. Thank you so much. I'm an Arizona boy, almost born and def. raised and I love this song with every fiber of my being. RIP Shane and Kirstie.

[@flamered24]

I'm very lucky to only know summer as" Raspberry Beret', Hallowe'en as "Thriller' and Christmas as 'Fairytale of New York". Three of the best pop songs ever and I measure my year by them. Shane made it easy to be Irish abroad and as an Irishwoman I thank him and send him love. Kirsty sings a perfect harmony to his rolling lyrics. We built our dreams around music like this.

[@Tolkienlady]

What was your Spring '84 song? "99 Red Balloons?" by Nena? That was released in UK March 1984. 1984 was an epic year for music

[@flamered24]

@@Tolkienlady Sorry Time after Time really but 99 Red Balloons is a close second

[@paulmackenzie1850]

This was very interesting for me, the first time I ever heard this song. Very entertaining and the music was very good also.Thanks for sharing this Fil....Rest in Peace Shane and Kirsty...

[@janhensley3617]

Masterpiece. Thank you Shane MacGowan. RIP. Already missing you 😢

[@IrishKack]

I love non traditional, rocking Christmas songs. This one is perfection.

[@julzy3]

I don't recall ever hearing this song before but I have heard of The Pogues. It has the feel of an Irish Sea Shanty and spicy lyrics! I love it. 🍻⛵

[@johnwhelan9225]

This song is a masterpiece and tells the "if only" story as only a musical genius like Shane could. It`s dramatic in it`s execution and so relatable to working class Irish people all over the world particularly those growing up in the 80`s. A song about life told at Christmas, it is along with Greg Lakes "I believe in Father Christmas" the best two crafted songs about Christmas in my humble opinion. RIP Shane sadly missed always remembered.

[@williamanderson3185]

I love this song.

[@katherinea.rodgers8366]

Sad that Shane passed. His voice reminds me of Tom Waits. The Irish are such wonderful storytellers.Thank you, Fil! This is wonderful!

[@foetaltreborus2017]

Who would guess deep diving songs in this way is so damned fascinating..

[@Hildred6]

Loved this video, you always get it spot on. Agree about the subject matter. It’s funny how this song is such a favourite with its gloomy lyrics and the swearing 🤬 not at all your typical seasonal favourite 😂 Love Kirsty’s clear voice and Shane slurring away but somehow the music holds it all together and it all works beautifully 😃

[@jimkoren5194]

You did a great job telling the context of this song and why the words are so important. Great job with a great song!

[@ewaf4733]

Thank you, Fil, for the video! The warmest regards!

[@sharondenn2284]

Rip Kirsty and Shane ❤❤

[@hahatoldyouso]

My favourite Christmas song, RIP both Kirsty and Shane

[@spider46531]

My favorite for Christmas and I have posted this every year on facebook as my favorite. I am 68 and have always loved it

[@incamoran9532]

It's a great song and it's played in New Zealand every year, too. The love/hate relationship between a devoted couple is so damn well portrayed. Just like Hilda and Stan, Vera and Jack - each partner is the other's best sparring mate. Such a shame that they're both dead now.

[@irishguy200007]

Eddie yates the go between.

[@incamoran9532]

Yes, LOL, good old Eddie :) @@irishguy200007

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Condoléances, Shane et Kirsty. You've always done the best eulogy videos, and this is solid proof of that. I have many great memories of Ireland, some of them ancestral. And my daughter lived there for one year and that was the first time we carried on a conversation in English. For all of her life, I'd talk to her in English and she's answer in French. And she came back with a love of Irish music. Joyeux Noël, Fil. Maybe you can do a video about the year when Killing In The Name Of... became the number one christmas song instead of the GBT song? A truly inspiring story.

[@140cabins]

It would be good to see you dissect some of Kirsty MacColl's harmony vocals sometime. It's said she could just instinctively produce harmonies by singing one part, gong back and singing another, and another, no charts or anything, she just knew exactly what was needed and could do it straight off. Hence why she was so in demand as a backing vocalist.

[@Mary-iq8gz]

Classic both artists legends!! Best Christmas song ever!! R.I.P to Shane and Kirsty🙏💕

[@neilbrie8972]

Thank you for this tribute. One of my favorite Xmas song, as so realistic ( as who live a perfect Xmas?).

[@andyarmstrong1493]

Great wee Christmas song, each word has meaning, best ever!

[@flea1972]

I hope this is UK Christmas number 1. Not that I ever listen to the charts but I've got my fingers crossed. 🤞🤘👍✌️

[@cyberlioness]

what made the pogues and shane so touching was the combination of anger, sadness, and emotionally authentic joy and suffering with equal amounts of both! Let's add a sad irony which was ever-present with Shane. He was a genuinely tragic figure--a true charismatic and talented figure overtaken his entire life with addiction. Thank you for the break down! Interesting back story.

[@michael0.770]

Thanks, Fil! I am in the States but am a big Pogues fan and enjoyed your analysis of this great Christmas tune that I know is so popular in the UK.

[@aprilkurtz1589]

RIP, Kirsty. I hope someday she gets justice. I love this. My favorite British Christmas song is "Don't Let the Bells End." by The Darkness.

[@MCW1955]

No auto tune on that, and that’s why it sounds so good. And there you have it. Thanks Fil.

[@larabeach176]

Thank you for sharing this performance with us. I've never heard this song. I love finding and listening to new music.

[@Antaios632]

This has been one of my favorite Christmas songs almost since it was released in the late 80s. The notion that people are offended by it irks me a lot. It's such a great story, performance & video.

[@Wildweib]

Mine too! People are so snowflake-y these days, it's perverse. You can't live life by avoiding or putting down whatever you don't like. I guess they will have to learn the hard way instead of forcing their shortcomings on other people. As for "Fairytale": the musical score is an incredible beauty one never gets tired of, and the dialogue between the two both lyrical and aggressive at the same time. Always reminds me of my parents that used to almost permanently fight and bicker when they were together (no alcohol involved though). I spend years expecting they'd get divorced soon until I realized they deeply loved each other - both temperamental aries by star sign -, and that fighting and bickering to them was a turn-on and the glue that kept their love on fire. (Both passed within a week last year at the age of 84. Whenever I listen to "fairytale", I think of them, have a drink if I can, and toast to them wherever they are now... and to the hopefully angelic souls that might have to put up with them both ;-).)

[@FintonWade]

I like this song! The first time I heard the Pogues I was impressed!

[@martinmcdonald4207]

Great review on a modern Christmas classic. The late great Kirsty MacColl came from song writing Royality being the daughter of the great Ewan MacColl. He just like his daughter is worth a show sometime. R.I.P. Shane, now there was a Legend of our time.

[@Tornado1994]

Kirsty lost her life tragically. She was crushed to death by a Speedboat while Vacationing in Mexico with her two young sons.

[@Wildweib]

😢😢😢