I don't think it is the greatest Xmas song ever either, but I do enjoy its irreverence and lack of sentimentality - both of which qualities are in very short supply this time of year!

Mmmm, I think I get what you're saying - and of course, it is drunked Irish sentimentality, truly. And I don't mind a bit of sentimentality either - but the Irish in me wants it to involve whiskey and drunken bawling (or is that brawling?), I guess!

The Pretenders' "2000 Miles" is one I can always enjoy, and Lennon's "Happyy Xmas (War is Over)" always brings a tear - as much as I . One of the local radio stations keeps playing Chris de Burgh's "A Spaceman Came Travelling" unexpectedly, too. The entire "Barenaked for the Holidays" works, but I think my alltime favourite is "Silver Bells" by Bing Crosby - reminds me of shopping downtown, and my grandmother, so... :)

'Fairytale of New York' has an interesting status. I'm sure when I was first becoming aware of popular music (early 1990s) it didn't have the hallowed status it has now, despite already being a few years old. It seemed to emerge over the early-mid 90s as the contrarian's choice for 'best Christmas song evur' (the non-contrarian's choice at that time being Slade, or Wizzard, or something like that) and then in the late '90s it started to become the mainstream choice for that accolade, also becoming a mainstream radio favourite. Then after Kirsty McColl's death it became practically illegal not to think it was the best Christmas song evur, but it also retained some contrarian chic because of the rude words in it. Amidst all this it took Radio 1 until this year to notice the rude words in it.

I still think it's marvellous because I like the Pogues anyway and I see it as part of their marvellous canon, rather than a special song we hear each December and because of aaaaaaw Kirsty, etc.

Quite by coincidence I've just blogged about that very song, though in a totally different context. Personally, I think it's a good 'un, though for me Jake Thackray's Remember Bethlehem and Half Man Half Biscuit's It's Clichéd To Be Cynical at Christmas both beat it for different reasons. And yes, I do own up to possessing a vinyl copy of Greg Lake's I Believe In Father Christmas.

The synth sound on Wonderful Christmastime is brilliant, and on the video his band are wearing big glasses like Trevor Horn used to at around that time. I'm pro-Wonderful Christmastime, but the Christmas songs I really like are 1950 ones by Peggy Lee or Nat or whoever.

The tags Music and Christmas are in place, I will just remind you that "Benghazi" supergroup (I am included in this) will be giving a repeat performace of their take on Christmas on William English's program (repeated tonight) at 7PM on Resonance. If you do get home in time, I hope you manage to endure the whole episode.

Aw go on Richard, give it a chance!

It took me at least an hour to make the background ambient track we used! And the cost of that helium. Was it worth it? Only if you listen!

If they are braod minded and are not Roman Catholic. I will leave it up on me site later...

You never know though....

Shane is God, so he must've wreaked revenge by drinking your post!

I heartily disagree with you in any case. However, I would say it is not the best Pogues song.

Not that I disagree with the point of your post (my vote, at least this afternoon, would probably go to 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'), and I can't argue that you should feel it any differently... but 'Fairytale of New York' is nothing but sentimentality and nostalgia!

Oh, it makes me feel Christmassy all right. As you suggest, it might be something to do with age (I was 15 when it came out) but I think the overarching sentimentality of the thing also plays a part.

(Incidentally, and coincidentally, today is the seventh anniversary of the death of Kirsty MacColl.)

They've changed their minds!

It makes me feel Christmassy, the mention of the bells, the lovely pianos, the Baileys-flavour vocals. Plus, I love lyrics with characters and stories rather than trite nonesense, and the chorus is a great big rushing in anthem.

I hope you're not going to tell me that Del Boy falling through a bar isn't the single most hilarious event ever.

The Darkness's Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) is better for a start.

For what it's worth, this is what you voted for as your Top 5 Christmas Songs back in ye goode olde days of the Focus Group (Dec 2004):

Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses
Please To See The King by Steeleye Span
We Free Kings by Roland Kirk
Winter Wonderland by Dean Martin
Ice Drummer by Alan Vega

And this was my Top 5:

Silent Night by The Dickies
Frosty the Snowman by The Ronettes
Santa's Got a GTO by The Ramonas
O Holy Night by John Mahoney
Oi To The World by No Doubt

Errrrr... I seem to have the long post that disappeared in Google Readeer, so it can be resurrected if you like - and if it's the one that you lost. Let me know if you'd like what I have to be sent back...

Peter Jackson
peterjjackson@btinternet.com

It's the best of a very bad bunch. And about the 78th best Pogues song, shame they don't get played much in public.

is much better. "things Fall Apart, Too'?

I meant'Things Fall Apart' as runner up 2 garland. And Mary Marge O'hara's version of 'What are you doing New Years Eve?'. Does that count?

1. So Much Wine - The Handsome Family
Reminds of a child's christmas in teesville

2. There Ain't No Santa Clause on the Evenin' Stage - Capt. Beefheart

3. Christmas Evermore by M2OH