The famous singer and musician Ed Sheeran never ceases to surprise us with his covers and other tracks! That’s why we invite you to rediscover one of his renditions of one of Ireland’s most iconic Christmas songs: “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues.
Back in 2017, Ed Sheeran performed the song during the BBC Live Lounge alongside the Irish folk band Beoga (who also collaborated with him on the Irish songs from his recent album) and English singer-songwriter Anne-Marie.
He delivers a beautiful, subtle interpretation, paying a heartfelt tribute to Ireland’s rich cultural and musical heritage! We’ll let you discover it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=ZOBvRs4btvE&feature=emb_logo
As a reminder, the original version dates back to 1987 and features Irish singer Shane MacGowan of The Pogues alongside Kirsty MacColl. It’s a Christmas song that notably reflects the experience of Irish immigrants in the United States. The lyrics touch on many themes: love, the holiday season, poverty, and living far from home.
Since its release, this song has become a Christmas staple for the Irish. Often topping the charts as the most played song in Ireland during the holiday season, “Fairytale of New York” has become a true institution, one that’s hard to challenge!
Here is the original version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8&feature=emb_logo
That’s why it took an artist of Ed Sheeran’s caliber to take on such a classic!
In Ed Sheeran’s version, he intentionally omitted some of the original lyrics, which are sometimes considered vulgar or too harsh. His singing is much softer, and the interpretation smoother than Shane MacGowan’s… Some will appreciate this, while others will clearly prefer the original.
Either way, whichever version you choose, it will bring a magical atmosphere to your listening experience!
