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‘Tis the time of year people bash “Fairytale of New York”

[This was my column for GlobalNews.ca. – AC]

You know it’s getting close to Christmas when a certain segment of the population starts complaining about The Pogues’ 1987 classic, Fairytale of New York.

The annual call for its ban from British airwaves was kicked off by Alex Dyke, a presenter for the BBC’s Radio Solent, back on Dec. 5.In a now-deleted tweet, he called it “an offensive pile of downmarket chav [translation: white trash] bilge. Is this what we want our kids singing in the back of the car?

“I think Christmas songs should be about excited children, toys, Christmas trees, snowy streets, ski lodges, reindeer, wrapping paper, Santa, family, peace on earth and love.  I just find the Pogues’ Fairytale of New York a nasty, nasty song.”

And we’re off.

Keep reading.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39684 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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