The song that was nearly impossible to record
In this video, I’m joined by producer Steve Lillywhite, who produced The Pogues’ classic Christmas song Fairytale of New York. The EP featuring Steve’s remix of Fairytale of New York (Live in Glasgow, 1987) is available December 12th.
If you have a story to tell and might want to feature in a video, send me an email – contact@musicwithdavid.com
@dejablue5746
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
It’s always been my favorite Christmas song since 1987!
@andyblyth4519
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
I heard this song for the first time when it first came out. I knew it was a hit immediately. I'm a songwriter when the back of your neck starts you know!!! I felt the same when I heard 'Stop the Cavalry by Jonah Louie' on the radio should have been No.1. These songs are classic. Slades is probably the best but very closely followed by this.
@flak62
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Best Christmas song EAVER rip peace Shane can't wait to have a drink with you upstairs 😂😂😂
@Fahrvernuggen
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
I'm friends with Cait O'Riordan on the socials. She's a cool cat.
@panrick
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
why do you keep pronouncing Cait's name like that? it's not "Kawt", it's "Kate".
@ewanhenshaw5307
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Love the pouges best band to drink to ever
@Anthony-qy5yw
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
It’s impossible to listen to it is garbage
@AllanMogensen
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
7:30 😅 OI! I liked it from the first listening!
@Weescottishgranny
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
RIP Kirsty and Shane ❤
@MrJerryrigged1
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Try playing it on the bagpipes! lol
@skeeter8868
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Well done! Thank you. My favorite Christmas song since it's release. The performance at Shane's wake was unforgettable. R.I.P. Kirsty and Shane and thank you for all that you gave us. 🍁✌
@VICTORYOVERNEPTUNE
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
My Favorite Christmas song
@BrissoParrothead
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
"Wow – I love that song" – thought everyone always! RIP Kirsty and Shane; gone too soon.
@thistree9028
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Shane ,Thanks for hanging in there on this to be an amazing song..it’s a staple on my Christmas playlist now.good commentary here also. Love Pogues songs..
My mom was from New York, and my Dad a wonderful Irish railroad worker who kindly liked his beer…
@laingdonschmitt2237
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Great dive into the history of an absolutely classic song. Well done!
@seanmccann8368
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
It's never Christmas until you hear Fairytale of New York; and it should never be played before the twenty third of December.
@Southpaw2198
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
what a freakin masterpeice man
@DaveSmith-w9m
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
It more than stands the test of time. Pure genius, if it doesn’t bring a lump to your throat, you’re not human. God bless them both.
@thebones288
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
My daughter hated this song when I played it for her,now she loves it
@thebones288
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Nobody ever speaks about the fact that they watched the movie ‘once upon a time in America ‘in the tour bus everyday and sorta sampled the tune from ‘Deborah’s theme’
@The_Rockstar05
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
I almost did not believe until he said @12.33 "Why it lasted so long because it grows on you!"….This opens my mind as a song and music writer…
@sasaray4102
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
It's not the best, it's the ONLY christmassong!
@Michael_Arnold
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
The opening two chords melt me
@trishahall6889
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
I love this song, I have had it as my December ring tone for many, many years 🎄 The Ultimate Christmas song of all time, in my opinion 🥰
RIP Kirsty & Shane, I hope you are still doing your thing up there ❤️
@goldwingerppg5953
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
My goodness I hope he had his teeth fixed.
@davidglendinning9871
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
"Fairytale of New York is often ranked as the greatest Christmas song of all time"….and then Maria Carey took over.
@Janice-o9g
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
You talk too much
@sawdustdimes
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
The teeth that were nearly impossible to look at
@BaanPhuThara
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Love this song so much. I look forward to Christmas so I can listen to it every day. Now my kids love it too 🙂
@Ellen1600
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Never heard this song😮🤷🏻♀️
@Mojo16011973
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Cait is hard to say 🙂
@tonyquinlan7341
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
If you like FTINY listen to Rainy Night in soho. The last line in the song is Genus, a great chat up line, no the greatest chat up line.
@m.c.master4622
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
David and Steve, I appreciate this post so much. Such a thorough exam of a legendary song. It really touches me and this backstory is icing on the cake. So lucky to have this show up in my feed. Keep up the good work!! Just subscribed!
@markdunbar8219
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
It’s the only Christmas song for me 🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻RIP TO THE BOTH OF THEM bet it will be a wild party for them both in heaven 😊 I’ll be blasting it Christmas Day 🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻
@timothygreen9884
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Ok , um what song is being spoken of?
@jayeautocorrectstohate5054
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
No, I loved it immediately. On the first hearing.
@Casey-Jones
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
The most over-rated song in popular music history
@sachetsofrelish
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Yes, and 'borrowed' from 'Once Upon a Time in America'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtS6xbwAl6g
@PaulP567
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
For me it is just a lovely folksy Irish tune with beautiful chord progressions. The added attraction is a storyline to which all can relate to some extent. It is the best ever Christmas song in my view.
@ScotchMistConCeption
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Yep, Brilliance is very seldom Plain Sailing, the Horizon is Always Horizontal at any altitude… The Erath Is Flat, Merry Christmas!!!
@jenreis3887
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
I loved it the first time e I heard it!! It was unlike any Christmas song I’d ever heard…the lyrics, the humour, the satire, the layers, the twists and turns in the music. I listened to it endlessly and will never tire of it!
@katecoffee4744
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Ah, The Pouges. I’ve opened the Christmas season with “Fairytale of New York” since the first time I heard it. Now that Shane and Kirsty are both gone from this plane I can’t listen to the song without tearing up.
@sharonearl4809
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Excellent interview!
@maxkagi1297
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
A retired musician here in Switzerland 🇨🇭.. I loved every fking minute of that! No bullshit, just respect and facts. Made me tingle. Very, very well put together. Fabulous legacy from them to us and a must for every Chrimbo playlist. "Merry Christmas, my arse! .. well, thank God it's our last!" .. yep. Oh, the memories. Cheers! And happy holidays, peace and love to all!
@migtiming
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Dang , Steve Lillywhite is a legend. When I was 15 his name was written in every album I loved.
@kateidiens3327
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
Fabulous thank you!
@DuppyConqueror100
December 22, 2025 at 12:27 am
How does this guy get Cot out of Cait?
Comments are closed.