Most played Christmas song of 21st century

Greatest Christmas song ever? ~ How it was written ~ Painful birth of classic ~ Shane as Sinatra
Producer Steve Lillywhite ~ Kirsty MacColl vocals ~ Kirsty MacColl stage fright
Unofficial NYPD choir ~ Lure of Big Apple ~ Not just for the Irish ~ Alternative Christmas
Most played Christmas song ~ Lyrics censored ~ The video ~ Lyrics and chords

Fairytale of New York has been a major hit across the world but it has been particularly successful in Ireland, the UK and in the United States.

MacGowan and MacColl
MacGowan and MacColl

Final-version

In the UK, it’s the most played Christmas song of the 21st century according to the British music licensing body, PPL. Jonathan Morrish, a spokesman with PPL, said: “Fairytale of New York is a timeless classic which everyone knows and rightfully deserves its place at the top spot.”

It topped the charts in Ireland when it was released in 1987 and has a been hit there on several more occasions since.

Going to No 1 in Ireland was what mattered to me.
I wouldn’t have expected the English to have great taste!
Shane MacGowan

It also has some more unusual claims to fame.  Research by Heinz Frozen Food found that it was the song customers most like to listen to while cooking.  SatNav manufacturer Garmin says it conducted a survey in which one in five people said Fairytale is the song they listen to most when driving.

Beaten to #1 by Pet Shop Boys

Jem Finer - co-writer of Firytale in New York photo - Shervinafshar_CC3
Jem Finer

For all its brilliance and enduring appeal, Fairytale of New York was still beaten to the number one spot in the 1987 UK charts by The Pet Shop Boys with their version of, Always on My Mind.

Jem Finer, co-writer of Farytale, said: “I don’t think we ever set out to have a Christmas number one.

We set out to write a great song and make it a great record, but it did become evident at some point that it gained a momentum and I can remember being back in London and listening to the charts and that horrible thing happening where it’s no 5, no 4, no 3 and you don’t want them to say it’s the Pogues at number 2 but that’s what happened.“

The Pogues were disappointed at the time but have taken comfort from the fact that Fairytale has been back in the UK charts nearly every Christmas since and is now regarded as one of the greatest songs of all time.

I love the fact that it’s never been No 1. It’s for the underdog.
Producer, Steve Lillywhite

As Finer now says: “To hell with being number 2. It doesn’t matter, it’s meaningless.

It’s what endures. I don’t think a lot of people request Always on My MInd by the Pet Shop Boys but Fairytale lives on.”

Greatest Christmas song ever? ~ How it was written ~ Painful birth of classic ~ Shane as Sinatra
Producer Steve Lillywhite ~ Kirsty MacColl vocals ~ Kirsty MacColl stage fright
Unofficial NYPD choir ~ Lure of Big Apple ~ Not just for the Irish ~ Alternative Christmas
Most played Christmas song ~ Lyrics censored ~ The video ~ Lyrics and chords