Comments on: Shane says it all.

Shane says it all.

dash_slot- — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 17:30:42 -0800

"Happy Christmas your arse, I pray God it's our last."
Warning: embedded audio and/or video in some links

By: fire&wings

fire&wings — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 17:33:06 -0800

The Pogues are currently performing it with Katie Melua. .

By: alumshubby

alumshubby — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 17:48:02 -0800

Having my own fairly downbeat Xmas, I can really relate to the song this year.

By: crustygeek

crustygeek — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 17:54:58 -0800

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.

By: dash_slot-

dash_slot- — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 17:55:16 -0800

Am watching the pogues & Kirsty on TOTP2 this second. Mesmerising.

By: dash_slot-

dash_slot- — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 17:59:22 -0800

Sorry to hear that alumshubby. I can identify. Hope 2006 is a better time.

By: marvin

marvin — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:08:37 -0800

I'm always disappointed by that video.

By: cillit bang

cillit bang — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:09:10 -0800

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.

By: nola

nola — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:14:01 -0800

kiss off ! and merry xmas cb.

By: Justinian

Justinian — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:14:07 -0800

Your favorite Christmas Song sucks.

By: Justinian

Justinian — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:14:20 -0800

(loves FoNY)

By: johngumbo

johngumbo — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:16:47 -0800

Perhaps my favorite song of all. Thanks!

By: dash_slot-

dash_slot- — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:20:23 -0800

Oh, cillit! You are a one...

By: ryanhealy

ryanhealy — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:32:26 -0800

For good measure: http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=Lu1BtZHdxIw

By: ryanhealy

ryanhealy — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:33:01 -0800

Shit. Trying again: For good measure.

By: Samizdata

Samizdata — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:53:44 -0800

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.

By: LinusMines

LinusMines — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:54:21 -0800

Thanks for the introduction.

By: cillit bang

cillit bang — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:56:09 -0800

Oh, sorry. Merry Christmas everybody! (Also a better record. Especially the Girls Aloud version)

By: devon

devon — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:56:49 -0800

The Pogues are currently performing it with Katie Melua. Cerys sang it in Cardiff. Far better

By: devon

devon — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:57:25 -0800

& merry christmas

By: alumshubby

alumshubby — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 19:34:45 -0800

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

By: PeterMcDermott

PeterMcDermott — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 19:47:12 -0800

Samizdata...would you believe I'm envious? So will you then become alumsexhubby?

By: PeterMcDermott

PeterMcDermott — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 19:50:45 -0800

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.

By: shmegegge

shmegegge — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 19:54:38 -0800

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.

By: Samizdata

Samizdata — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 20:32:48 -0800

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.

By: kimota

kimota — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 21:08:32 -0800

[This is good.] Happy Krimble, dash_slot, Happy Krimble, everyone!

By: kalimac

kalimac — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 21:35:51 -0800

[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*

By: mike3k

mike3k — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 21:37:36 -0800

It's my favorite Christmas song. Is Shane back with the Pogues? Their one album without him sucked badly.

By: caddis

caddis — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 21:38:55 -0800

I always loved this song. Thanks for the memories dash_slot-. *endeavors to fill in holes in Pogues collection

By: dhartung

dhartung — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 22:06:22 -0800

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?

By: Kickstart70

Kickstart70 — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 22:41:41 -0800

I didn't know that about Kirsty McColl...thanks.

By: jonson

jonson — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 22:51:16 -0800

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!

By: SirOmega

SirOmega — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 23:19:41 -0800

If this is anything like the rest of Irish music.... Thank God I'm not Irish.

By: nola

nola — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 23:27:19 -0800

yeah , thank god . now go fuck your self. and merry xmas. :P

By: kaemaril

kaemaril — Sun, 25 Dec 2005 05:23:55 -0800

I prefer Irish Rover myself :)

By: bardic

bardic — Sun, 25 Dec 2005 05:46:22 -0800

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

By: drezdn

drezdn — Sun, 25 Dec 2005 07:11:08 -0800

This is one of my favorite songs. On a solo album, Shane sings it with his mom.

By: Artw

Artw — Sun, 25 Dec 2005 09:47:11 -0800

Hurrah! That always cheers me up.

By: zeerobots

zeerobots — Sun, 25 Dec 2005 11:48:10 -0800

Whatever!

By: Football Bat

Football Bat — Sun, 25 Dec 2005 13:15:35 -0800

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.

By: languagehat

languagehat — Sun, 25 Dec 2005 16:53:18 -0800

I can't believe Shane MacGowan's not dead yet. Merry Fucking Christmas, Metafilter. I second both emotions. Thanks for the links, dash_slot.

By: eatdonuts

eatdonuts — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 18:30:54 -0800

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.