Composer

:

Shane MacGowan / Jem Finer

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Compose Date

:

1987

Average_duration

:

3:45

"Fairytale of New York" is a Christmas song composed by Shane MacGowan and Jem Finer, and performed by the Irish folk-punk band The Pogues. The song was released on November 23, 1987, and has since become a holiday classic. The song tells the story of a couple, an Irish immigrant and a New York City native, who are struggling with poverty, addiction, and broken dreams. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery of the city during the holiday season, as well as references to Irish culture and history. The song is divided into three movements. The first movement introduces the couple and their struggles, as well as the setting of New York City during Christmas. The second movement features a duet between the couple, as they reminisce about their past and express their love for each other. The third movement is a chorus, in which the couple's dreams are shattered and they are left with nothing but each other. The song's characteristics include its use of traditional Irish instruments, such as the accordion and tin whistle, as well as its incorporation of punk rock elements, such as electric guitar and drums. The song's lyrics are also notable for their raw and emotional quality, as well as their use of profanity and dark humor. "Fairytale of New York" premiered on the British music show "The Tube" in 1987, and has since been covered by numerous artists, including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Taylor Swift. The song has also been featured in several films and television shows, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time.

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