Fairytale of New York

Friday, 23 December, 2011 10:43 Written by Pat Kehoe

Why do we love Fairytale of New York

We’ve sort of known it all along but now it’s official – Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacCall is the most popular and most played Christmas song of the 21st century.

Shane McGowan

It’s no surprise to the millions of us who’ve long regarded it as a much needed breath of fresh air at this time of year. I mean, Christmas is great but it can be stressful – fighting your way through shopping malls to buy all your presents, all the time having your ears bombarded with schmaltzy music everywhere you turn.

But then, just when you think you can’t stand another word about Rudolph and reindeers, something magical happens. The mood changes as the sound of a single piano suddenly wafts across the airwaves.

No matter how busy you are your ear prick up because you realise you’re listening to the opening bars of Fairytale of New York, and you know that for the next few minutes you’ll be safe from schmaltz and fake sentimentality.

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Fureys take mother’s advice

Wednesday, 13 April, 2011 13:12 Written by Pat Kehoe

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Finbar and Eddie Furey

Want a hit record? Take mum’s advice

I hadn’t realised that Irish band The Fureys also had their mother to thank for inspiring them to record, When You Were Sweet 16.

I came across the story while browsing YouTube recently.

There’s a rather scratchy video of The Fureys performing the song in the 1980s. In the introduction, Finbar Furey described how they came to record it.

Sweet 16 home page
The Fureys Recording
Recordings by other Singers
Lyrics and Chords

He said that they learnt the song from their father Ted, who was also a very successful musician and an inspiration to his sons.

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Wild Rover alternative version

Friday, 01 April, 2011 17:14 Written by Pat Kehoe

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Did the Wild Rover have a raunchy English cousin?

Whiskey and wines of the best!

One of the great fascinations with Irish folk songs is that they almost certainly went through numerous versions, towns and even countries before emerging in the form we know them today.

The Wild Rover is a good example. We’ve already looked at how it may have begun life as an anti-drinking song. Now I’m grateful to Mike Walton of the Worcester Folk Club in England who’s alerted me to an English song with a similar theme to the Wild Rover, albeit with a raunchier ending.

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Wild Rover

Tuesday, 15 March, 2011 10:29 Written by Pat Kehoe

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Is the Wild Rover an anti-drinking song?

With St Patrick’s Day coming, thousands of Irish music fans will be polishing up the old vocal chords in readiness for a session of hard drinking and hearty singing.

The Wild Rover will no doubt be near the top of the list – every year thousands of people belt it out enthusiastically in between sips of Guinness in pubs across the world.

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Whiskey in the Jar

Monday, 14 March, 2011 09:56 Written by Pat Kehoe

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The folk hero appeal of Whiskey in the Jar

A Nip Against the Cold

Because of its title, Whiskey in the Jar is often seen as a drinking song, celebrating the wild life.

That doesn’t really do it justice though. Whiskey in the Jar isn’t really about drinking at all; it’s about rebellion against authority and has a sub-plot involving betrayal by a lover.

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Fairytale of New York

Why do we love Fairytale of New York

Fureys take mother’s advice

Want a hit record? Take mum’s advice

Wild Rover alternative version

Did the Wild Rover have a raunchy English cousin?

Wild Rover

Is the Wild Rover an anti-drinking song?

Whiskey in the Jar

The folk hero appeal of Whiskey in the Jar

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