Shane says it all.

December 24, 2005 5:30 PM

"Happy Christmas your arse, I pray God it’s our last.”
Warning: embedded audio and/or video in some links
posted by dash_slot- (41 comments total)

The Pogues are currently performing it with Katie Melua.





.
posted by fire&wings at 5:33 PM on December 24, 2005

Having my own fairly downbeat Xmas, I can really relate to the song this year.
posted by alumshubby at 5:48 PM on December 24, 2005

One of the greatest Christmas songs ever created in my opinion. The contrast between Shane MacGowans rough vocals and Kirsty MacColl's angelic voice is wonderful.

Even though it's a downbeat song, it always seems to make me smile.
posted by crustygeek at 5:54 PM on December 24, 2005

Am watching the pogues & Kirsty on TOTP2 this second. Mesmerising.
posted by dash_slot- at 5:55 PM on December 24, 2005

Sorry to hear that alumshubby. I can identify. Hope 2006 is a better time.
posted by dash_slot- at 5:59 PM on December 24, 2005

I'm always disappointed by that video.
posted by marvin at 6:08 PM on December 24, 2005

God I hate this song, and especially the way people talk about it. If ever there was a sacred cow that needed slaying.

I'm really glad it was beaten to number one by the Pet Shop Boys "Always On My Mind". Now there's a good record.
posted by cillit bang at 6:09 PM on December 24, 2005

kiss off ! and merry xmas cb.
posted by nola at 6:14 PM on December 24, 2005

Your favorite Christmas Song sucks.
posted by Justinian at 6:14 PM on December 24, 2005

(loves FoNY)
posted by Justinian at 6:14 PM on December 24, 2005

Perhaps my favorite song of all. Thanks!
posted by johngumbo at 6:16 PM on December 24, 2005

Oh, cillit! You are a one...
posted by dash_slot- at 6:20 PM on December 24, 2005

For good measure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=Lu1BtZHdxIw
posted by ryanhealy at 6:32 PM on December 24, 2005

Shit. Trying again:

For good measure.
posted by ryanhealy at 6:33 PM on December 24, 2005

Pretty apropos. My Christmas gift from my wife was divorce papers.

Don't think I'm going to test the lawyer's return policy, although the fit stinks.

Goodwill and best wishes to you all.
posted by Samizdata at 6:53 PM on December 24, 2005

Thanks for the introduction.
posted by LinusMines at 6:54 PM on December 24, 2005

Oh, sorry. Merry Christmas everybody!

(Also a better record. Especially the Girls Aloud version)
posted by cillit bang at 6:56 PM on December 24, 2005

The Pogues are currently performing it with Katie Melua.

Cerys sang it in Cardiff. Far better
posted by devon at 6:56 PM on December 24, 2005

& merry christmas
posted by devon at 6:57 PM on December 24, 2005

Samizdata...would you believe I'm envious? You're closer to achieving closure than I am.
posted by alumshubby at 7:34 PM on December 24, 2005

Samizdata...would you believe I'm envious?

So will you then become alumsexhubby?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:47 PM on December 24, 2005

Now there's a good record.

Well, I suppose Neil Tennant would fit in just fine here on Metafilter, whereas I imagine Shane McGowan would be about as popular as Paris Paramus.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:50 PM on December 24, 2005

of all the things. going through a breakup at the moment, and this is timely, poorly timed, catharticly wonderful and tortuous at the same time, if that makes any sense.

thanks for it all the same.
posted by shmegegge at 7:54 PM on December 24, 2005

alumshubby:

Samizdata...would you believe I'm envious? You're closer to achieving closure than I am.

I may be close to closure, but it was a long painful journey to get there.

Whatever your pain, I'm sorry to hear that. But this is a good time to take things into your control again.

This year, I'm subscribing to the philosophy "Success is the best revenge."

Give me a holler if I can offer any help or terribly misguided advice.
posted by Samizdata at 8:32 PM on December 24, 2005

[This is good.] Happy Krimble, dash_slot, Happy Krimble, everyone!
posted by kimota at 9:08 PM on December 24, 2005

[this is good]

alumshubby and Samizdata, I raise my whisky to you both. Success is the best revenge, and this one's for you *wicked grin*
posted by kalimac at 9:35 PM on December 24, 2005

It's my favorite Christmas song. Is Shane back with the Pogues? Their one album without him sucked badly.
posted by mike3k at 9:37 PM on December 24, 2005

I always loved this song.

Thanks for the memories dash_slot-.

*endeavors to fill in holes in Pogues collection
posted by caddis at 9:38 PM on December 24, 2005

God I hate this song, and especially the way people talk about it. If ever there was a sacred cow that needed slaying.

Heh. It's sentimentality that only works because of its profanity and bitterness. But that's what's brilliant about it. I expect that MacColl's death also increases the poignancy for many listeners ... I know it does for me.

If it makes you feel better, I think the "dreams" verse is the most awkward and hokey. Maybe because it puts the bitter in front of the sentimental, which trails off like an unanswered question.

OK, we answered Matt Dillon, but doesn't the kilted policeman in the band look like Danny Aiello?
posted by dhartung at 10:06 PM on December 24, 2005

I didn't know that about Kirsty McColl...thanks.
posted by Kickstart70 at 10:41 PM on December 24, 2005

huh. I'd never heard this song before, and didn't know about Kirsty. Thanks for the great song, and for the info, great post!
posted by jonson at 10:51 PM on December 24, 2005

If this is anything like the rest of Irish music....

Thank God I'm not Irish.
posted by SirOmega at 11:19 PM on December 24, 2005

yeah , thank god . now go fuck your self.
and merry xmas. :P
posted by nola at 11:27 PM on December 24, 2005

I prefer Irish Rover myself :)
posted by kaemaril at 5:23 AM on December 25, 2005

This and the Kinks' "Father Christmas" are my two favorite Christmas songs of all time. Great post.

Don’t give my brother a steve austin outfit
Don’t give my sister a cuddly toy
We don’t want a jigsaw or monopoly money
We only want the real mccoy
posted by bardic at 5:46 AM on December 25, 2005

This is one of my favorite songs. On a solo album, Shane sings it with his mom.
posted by drezdn at 7:11 AM on December 25, 2005

Hurrah! That always cheers me up.
posted by Artw at 9:47 AM on December 25, 2005

Whatever!
posted by zeerobots at 11:48 AM on December 25, 2005

I don't think I know anybody else who can sing, "I built my dreams around you" and not want to vomit. For the record, I can't believe Shane MacGowan's not dead yet. Merry Fucking Christmas, Metafilter.
posted by Football Bat at 1:15 PM on December 25, 2005

I can't believe Shane MacGowan's not dead yet. Merry Fucking Christmas, Metafilter.

I second both emotions. Thanks for the links, dash_slot.
posted by languagehat at 4:53 PM on December 25, 2005

after the whole 'holiday' fact, but i've always loved this song, sometimes it sums up the christmas in new york experience being a manhattanite or some such. although i'm lucky enough to not be experiencing the same bitterness that some of other poor mefites are going through (sorry there).

anyway, this song is truly one of my favs, thank you for posting. had my own 'christmas miracle' just this past eve -driving up north with the significant other to the family. normally i loathe the radio playing the non-stop xmas music, except the station managed to play lennon's 'so this is christmas,' followed by the old band-aid classic (horray, always chokes me up). i mentioned to the significant other that all we needed was 'fairytale in new york' to make the holy triumvirate but alas the radio played something else. i started to moan about it when low and behold, upon high the stars showed that we had in the car (at my feet) a discarded cd player with plug-in for the car player and bizarre of all bizarre - in the player was a mix cd with 'fairytale' as the first song! sounds like nothing to you, but to me it truly was a christmas miracle. er, god bless us, every one.
posted by eatdonuts at 6:30 PM on December 27, 2005