On November 30, 2023, we sadly bid farewell to the iconic Shane MacGowan of The Pogues. However, as Christmas approaches, it presents the perfect opportunity to celebrate his timeless masterpiece, “Fairytale of New York”.
Ed Sheeran sang a memorable cover of the Christmas ballad with Anne-Marie at the BBC, giving the song a workover in his signature style.
During a special performance at the BBC, Ed Sheeran and Anne-Marie delivered a memorable cover of this Christmas ballad. Sheeran, with his distinctive style, gave the song a softer and more romantic touch, while Anne-Marie infused it with a contemporary flair, showcasing her brilliant vocal talent originally sung by Kirsty MacColl.
Accompanied by the talented Irish trad band Beoga, the duo delivered a remarkable rendition that has captivated over 10 million viewers on the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge session.
In their version of “Fairytale of New York,” Sheeran and Anne-Marie made some changes to the lyrics, including the removal of certain offensive language from the fifth verse, which had originated from a lovers’ quarrel between the characters in the song.
According to the Irish Mirror, Sheeran faced criticism for this more sanitized interpretation, with upset netizens expressing their disapproval.
Regardless of criticism, there are still plenty of positive comments for their performance. One YouTube viewer commented, “I feel like this version is almost too pretty. This needs Shane’s pained “I’m about to die of alcohol poisoning” voice to make it work.”
Another also wrote, “Beautiful I sang this song last night in a Christmas party with a Christian female singer they’ve told me the tempo of this song and now I check the original one I’m loving it I love it what a beautiful cover”
On the other hand, many viewers said that it has NOTHING on the original but it doesn’t mean they hate this performance. They appreciate these artists for taking this song and trying to perform it or make a tribute to it.