While their hopes and dreams have come to naught, he realizes that their dreams still bind them together.

The Pogues – “Fairytale Of New York”

“Fairytale of New York” (1987)

As with many masterpieces, this Irish punk ballad took a long time to finish. It originated in 1985, but was not released until November 1987.    

No Fairies

Contrary to what the title states, the song is not exactly a fairy tale. In fact, it relates a rather depressing tale of a pathetic couple with plenty of personal problems (drug addiction, alcoholism), and plenty of interpersonal problems (they’re disgusted with each other). Although they have a few moments of joy now and then, their life together seems to be a nightmare.   

Stuck in a drunk tank at a New York police station on Christmas eve, the man reflects on how the couple’s hopes and dreams have come to naught. And yet, he realizes that their dreams still bind them together, and he even sees “a better time, when all our dreams come true.” 

No Santa

“Fairytale of New York”  is often said to be a Christmas song. If it is, it’s a very non-traditional Christmas song. Maybe that’s why it’s one of the best. The song has reached the UK Top 40 at 15 different times. In 2012, it passed the 1-million-sales mark in the UK.

In a poll of BBC Radio 2 listeners, “Fairytale of New York”  ranked at Number 84 on its list of “Greatest Songs of All Time.”   _{(Image source)}

The Pogues, featuring Kirsty MacColl

The Pogues were a UK / Irish that was founded in 1982. Two of the founding members – Shane MacGowan and Peter "Spider" Stacy – had met in 1977, at a Ramones gig in London.    

In 1984, The Pogues opened for The Clash on their 1984 tour. Subsequently, they signed with Stiff Records. 

Safe for Over-Consumption 

Over the next few years, the band reached its peak, based on their intoxicating mix of Celtic-flavored tunes with punk energy and attitude.     

While MacGowan’s inspired poetry and musical genius propelled The Pogues to critical and commercial success, his alcoholism and drug addiction resulted in his expulsion from the band.    

But not before MacGowan and The Pogues created at least 3 albums that can honestly be called masterpieces.   _{(Image source)}

It was Christmas Eve, babe, in the drunk tank
An old man said to me, “Won't see another one”
And then he sang a song
"The Rare Old Mountain Dew"
I turned my face away
And dreamed about you

Got on a lucky one
Came in eighteen to one
I've got a feeling this year's for me and you
So, happy Christmas, I love you, baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true

They've got cars big as bars
They've got rivers of gold
But the wind goes right through you
It's no place for the old
When you first took my hand
On a cold Christmas Eve
You promised me Broadway was waiting for me

You were handsome
You were pretty
Queen of New York City
When the band finished playing
They howled out for more
Sinatra was swinging
All the drunks they were singing
We kissed on the corner
Then danced through the night

The boys of the NYPD choir
Were singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells are ringing out
For Christmas day

You're a bum, You're a punk
You're an old slut on junk
Lying there almost dead
On a drip in that bed

You scumbag, You maggot
You cheap lousy faggot
Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God it's our last

The boys of the NYPD choir
Still singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells are ringing out
For Christmas day

I could have been someone
Well, so could anyone
You took my dreams
From me when I first found you
I kept them with me, babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you

The boys of the NYPD choir
Still singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells are ringing out
For Christmas day
Lyrics by Shane MacGowan / Jem Finer, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Wikipedia

Into your ears … through 5 channels

 The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}
         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)
         2 – “Cover Versions”
         3 – “Honor Roll”
         4 – “Documentaries”
         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

More “Music to Your Ears” ...

          Previous posts in this series – "MTYE posts 1–20"
          Previous posts in this series – "MTYE posts 21–40"

Links to my other series ...

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”
          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”  

          Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"  
          Vocab-Ability – "Index"  to all Chapters and Sections  

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"  
          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"