Nearly four decades after its release, The Pogues' iconic Christmas anthem 'Fairytale of New York' continues to capture the public's imagination and generate significant income, cementing its legendary status in music history.
A Timeless Hit With Enduring Financial Success
First released in 1987, the song was penned by bandmates Jem Finer and the late Shane MacGowan and features the unforgettable vocals of English singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl. Its genesis reportedly stemmed from a bet that the pair could not create a Christmas tune free of sentimentality, according to music magazine NME.
The track, a folk-tinged homage to a bygone New York, unfolds as a heated argument between an ageing couple, portrayed by MacGowan and MacColl, as Christmas Day approaches. While the Performing Rights Society keeps exact figures confidential, the Independent estimated in 2021 that annual royalties from radio play and streaming deals were around £400,000.
The Elusive Christmas Number One and Lasting Legacy
Despite its perennial popularity, the song has famously never clinched the UK Christmas number one spot. In 1987, it was kept at number two by the Pet Shop Boys' cover of 'Always On My Mind'. Music copyright lawyer Brad Banias suggested in 2023 that royalties could 'exceed £500,000' if it ever finally reached the top position.
The tragic death of frontman Shane MacGowan in November 2023, after a long illness, sparked a renewed campaign to get the song to number one in honour of him and Kirsty MacColl, who died in a boating accident in 2000. Despite strong momentum, it stalled at number six in 2023, with Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' taking the top spot.
Navigating Controversy and Cultural Impact
The song's popularity has endured despite ongoing debate about homophobic language in its original lyrics. In 2020, the BBC began broadcasting an edited version on Radio 1, replacing one offensive term and muting another. MacGowan previously defended the lyrics, stating they were authentic to the desperate character singing them.
Its cultural impact remains undeniable. 'Fairytale of New York' regularly tops polls for Britain's favourite Christmas song, winning a YouGov survey in 2020 with 17% of the vote, ahead of Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'. Almost forty years on, the bittersweet ballad's power to provoke, move, and generate substantial royalties shows no sign of fading.
