Fairytale of New York: the story behind the Pogues' classic Christmas anthem

[garbon]

Definitely never heard that song before.

[Josquius]

How odd.
Not recognising the title I'd give but not having heard the song...thought it was rather internationally known. The Americans here certainly all seem to know it.

[sbr]

Every person who said they haven't heard of it is American.

[Richard Hakluyt]

The song is 25 years old, but it is resurrected every year here in the UK as part of the Christmas playlists. It is notable as it is a seasonal song that is actually good 

So, if it isn't played every year in the states, then people under 30 without a specific interest in such music won't have heard of it.

[CountDeMoney]

Every person who said they haven't heard of it is American.

I'd say it was an age thing, but that's incorrect.  I'm a little surprised at my fellow Ammuricans.  Granted, the Pogues aren't the Sex Pistols, but c'mon.

[Ed Anger]

Every person who said they haven't heard of it is American.

I'd say it was an age thing, but that's incorrect.  I'm a little surprised at my fellow Ammuricans.  Granted, the Pogues aren't the Sex Pistols, but c'mon.

They just ain't my bag, baby.

[ulmont]

So, if it isn't played every year in the states, then people under 30 without a specific interest in such music won't have heard of it.

It actually is played every year in the states, as far as I can tell.  And it's a great song.

[CountDeMoney]

Every person who said they haven't heard of it is American.

I'd say it was an age thing, but that's incorrect.  I'm a little surprised at my fellow Ammuricans.  Granted, the Pogues aren't the Sex Pistols, but c'mon.

They just ain't my bag, baby.

They weren't really mine either, but if you were listening to college radio in the late 80s and early 90s, you knew who they were.

[PDH]

I really liked the early stuff, then the teeth to good songs ratio stabilized at zero:zero.

[Ed Anger]

I really liked the early stuff, then the teeth to good songs ratio stabilized at zero:zero.

[jimmy olsen]

I've heard the opening of the song before, but I've always switched the station because I could only understand every other word he said.

[Malthus]

It's a classic - notable as being one of the few (relatively) modern Christmas songs that are actually good. 

I too find it hard to believe so many have never heard it. 

[Josquius]

On the subject of christmas songs that are good I like this little known one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4s76oLcPTo

Every person who said they haven't heard of it is American.

Yet the Americans I know IRL know it, dosen't seem to be just a British thing.  Surprising on languish however it is.

[garbon]

It's a classic - notable as being one of the few (relatively) modern Christmas songs that are actually good. 

I too find it hard to believe so many have never heard it. 

I find the last bit of your first sentence hard to believe.

[jimmy olsen]

It's a classic - notable as being one of the few (relatively) modern Christmas songs that are actually good. 

I too find it hard to believe so many have never heard it.

If you can't understand the lyrics, you're not likely to remember it. I suspect that may be an important factor. People have heard, it just goes in and out one ear and is forgotten.