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 ...