Fairytale of New York, The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl



Don't know if I should dance or cry. 

Sometimes when you listen to Irish music, you don’t know if you’re meant to be happy or sad, laugh or cry, think or dance. Just when you’re deep in the blues the next bar springs a jig causing you to lift your head. But give it a minute. You’ll be back down soon.

That’s Irish music for you.

And “Fairytale of New York” bounces between extremes with ease.

It begins with regret, sorrow, the slow piano hammering misery.

Then Kirsty arrives. The violin jigs, the band sways and the dance begins.

But don’t be fooled. Whilst the music is fun the lyrics argue. The couple call each other horrible, horrible names. They’re not in love but full of regret. They wish each other Merry Christmas by hoping it’s their last.

Yet all around them is joy. The boys in blue are in the Christmas mood…

The boys of the NYPD choir
Still singing 'Galway Bay'
And the bells are ringing
Out for Christmas day

The music is merry whilst the couple are miserable.

That’s Irish music for you.

The final tone of the lyric is hope, however faint…

I kept your dreams with me babe
I put them with my own
Can’t make it all alone
I’ve built my dreams around you

Will they reconcile? Will they sing? Will the bells ring in something new?

Who knows. But the song sure makes you feel like dancing. And mourning. And laughing. And…

That’s Irish music for you.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Peace on earth, U2

Image
Not hopeless but hope-full. Bono is many things. And one of those is the most hopeful man on the planet. Ever since he and three of his mates strutted their stuff across the world’s stage, he’s been determined to change it. Sure, not much seems to have changed. But you’ve got to hand it to him. The man has hope. Yet as he opens this song, you wonder if he’s given up… Sick of sorrow, I’m sick of the pain I'm sick of hearing, again and again That there's gonna be peace on Earth At times during the song it feels like Bono can’t hit the necessary notes. Whilst he’d admit that’s a daily occurrence, on this song it’s as if… Jesus in the song you wrote The words are sticking in my throat Can he keep declaring there will be peace on earth? Can he hang onto hope? A younger Bono would’ve provided the answer. He would’ve stopped the show to tell us THE ANSWER whilst we all wished he’d just get on with the show. So, older and wiser he turns it ov...
Read more

One star, Onestarband

Pure joy. When I hear this song my heart rejoices. The fact that it’s sung by my niece when she was tiny is one reason. Another is my mother-in-law playing accordion. Yep, good ol’ grandma. Add a delightful glockenspiel, a ridiculously simple yet profound metaphor and it’s a delight to listen to. According to folklore, Imojjen memorised the words though she couldn’t read them. Apparently, her folks repeated the words and she took them to heart. Mrs Weaver remembered those old chords as she dug out her father’s squeezebox. I knew he played it. I never knew she did. He was famous for doing so. She ought to be too. Knowing the background to this song brings more joy. Cutes vocals, coupled with long accordion notes waltzing through the air, landing with a sweet “Awwwww…” Today, Imojjen cringes at hearing her little voice. And Mrs Weaver never thinks her playing is any good. But they have made beautiful music. This song is on high rotation at our place every...
Read more

How to make gravy, Paul Kelly

Image
My favourite songs tell a story. And Kelly is a masterful storyteller. He sets his song in an Australian summer. The video too is native to our shores. The old metal clothesline is sublime. For too long we’ve been inundated with snow and winter references at Christmas. But Kelly sings of it being… A hundred degrees, maybe more, But that won’t stop the roast Yep, that’s us Aussies. It’s stinking hot and we make it hotter. The gravy is rough and ready… Just add flour, salt, a little red wine And don't forget a dollop of tomato sauce for sweetness and that extra tang Who makes gravy like this? Ah, who cares, it’ll do. Christmas is meant to be a simple affair. And us Aussies are simple folk. “Gravy” is great because it’s an apology. Christmas can be that time to make sure others hear about your grudges. But this man wants others to know he’s sorry. He confesses… Tell 'em all I'm sorry I screwed up this time He’s not just sorry. He’...
Read more