Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: punk-rock
Song Meaning of “Fairytale Of New York – Live At The Olympia, Paris / 2012” by The Pogues
This timeless holiday classic by The Pogues transports listeners to the snowy wintertime streets of New York City, where an unlikely and rough-edged young couple falls in love amidst the chaos and hustle and bustle of the seasonal cityscape. The narrator tells the story of two young alcoholics – a self-destructive and often violent man and an unwavering yet beaten-down woman – who attempt to make a life for themselves while clinging to their newfound love. The man is seemingly determined to win her affections, despite his own shortcomings, and often expresses his affections through coarse terms. The woman, meanwhile, is likely already in too deep and thus simultaneously repulsed and relieved to finally have someone who cares.
The song’s arrangement is uplifting despite its often grim lyrics, as bouncy banjo, mandolin, and fiddle blend together with the narrator’s soothing voice to create an atmosphere of unending optimism. Reference to seasonal traditions is woven throughout the verses, symbolizing the couple’s commitment to never end the same way they started, and to continue to build a life together no matter the circumstances.
Ultimately, ‘Fairytale Of New York’ is a song about tenacity and hope, about the power of love to bring people together despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.