I only knew Shane for a season, back around '94 at The Bailey Irish pub in LA. Shane would show up after last call, because he knew the Irish blokes that owned the place. I would take off my bar-back apron and become bartender for Shane and crew. We had an old piano on stage, that I'd improv on, Shane would insist I keep playing. I didn't know any proper songs, just simple melodies, I imagine now, it was music to calm that savage soul. That's my Shane story, from a brief but bright season. Rest in peace, old friend.

The city of Malmö, Sweden recently put up two plaques honouring the fact that Malmö is where Shane MacGowan began writing the song. The Pogues were set to perform in Malmö that night, it was the premiere show of the bands European tour for Rum, Sodomy & The Lash. When time for soundcheck came, Shane was nowhere to be found. A few band members went to Shane's hotel to get him, assuming he was just hungover. When they arrived they found him almost dead, with a high fever and struggling to breathe. They took him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with double-sided pneumonia.

Back at the venue, the rest of the band were told what happened, and that the show would have to be cancelled. But it just so happened that the albums producer, Elvis Costello, was in Malmö to see the show, and he volunteered to replace Shane since he knew all the songs. Come showtime, the band went on stage and informed the crowd that Shane wasn't going to make the show, and that anyone who wanted could go and get their money back, but for anyone who wanted to stick around they would play the show anyway with Elvis Costello on vocals.

After a few days in the hospital Shane began recovering, and asked a nurse for a pen and paper and began writing down the first lyrics to Fairytale of New York. There are now two plaques in Malmö, one outside the hotel and one outside the hospital.

For me, Christmas starts when I first hear Fairytale of New York. It's an absolute classic.

Fairytale of New York is a masterpiece.  Raunchy, gut-punching, and heartbreaking, and the most honest and poignant Christmas duet recorded by two artists in different studios at different times. Pure magic, Bravo to Steve Lillywhite. RIP Shane and Kirsty.

RIP Kirsty and Shane…

"I've had my moments" said one of the best producers ever

That song takes me back to somewhere I have never been but that I am always missing and remembering.

This song always reminds me of the reality of Christmas Domestic disputes that I attended as a Police Constable. Unfortunately.

Brilliant - the fact that you got Steve Lillywhite is amazing itself,  a few years ago I went through all my favourite albums to see who produced them. My very favourite ones (and arguably the very best ones) were ones he produced, his name kept showing up. I adored hearing the Fairytale of New York, and I would love a deep dive into his work. This made my morning!

"Well, so could anyone", is likely the most brutal insult I've ever heard

The shock that this sone is nearly 40 years old, and I was alive when it was released, was amplified by the realisation that for the recording Steve wasn't the mature guy of the interview but in his 20s and already so wise.

Ah, The Pouges. I’ve opened the Christmas season with “Fairytale of New York” since the first time I heard it. Now that Shane and Kirsty are both gone from this plane I can’t listen to the song without tearing up.

I saw Shane and his band at a musical in Wiltshire some years ago. He came on stage almost bent over at a ninety degree angle and held the side of the piano for support. Then he started  to sing "The Irish Rover" and he was superb. It was obvious that the marquee was overflowing in anticipation of his appearance and he sang quite a few songs and made a good festival great.

Fairytale of New York is to Christmas Music what A Christmas Carol is to Christmas Stories.

I only wish more people in the states loved it as much as I do. It's one of the most unique and beautiful songs ever written.

It's 2025 and I heard this song a couple of years ago.  I really listened to the lyrics this time and fell so deeply in love with it I cried.  Then when I heard about Kirsty's fate I cried again.  Much love to those boys and that very special band of brothers who finally made this record after so many false starts.  Special thanks to Steve Lillywhite for bringing us the song in its finished state.

Rest In Peace, Kirsty And Shane et al.

Thank you, David.

Stay Free.  Rab

It's a great song if/when people spontaneously sing it in the street at your funeral.

What a legend Steve Lillywhite is. He seems so generous and interesting in this video. You realise how much bands owe to guys who understand the studio technically, but also how humans work.

Its not only a great Christmas song, it's just a great song