"I was at my peak" - Shane MacGowan Extended Interview on Fairytale of New York (2007)

On 18 December 2007, Shane MacGowan sat down for an interview with ITN's Stephanie West. The lead singer and primary songwriter of The Pogues, MacGowan discussed his memories of recording their Christmas classic, Fairytale of New York - most of the lyrics having been written by MacGowan while he was recovering from double pneumonia in a hospital bed in Malmö, Sweden, in late 1985. He also gave his thoughts on BBC Radio 1's decision to play the song uncut, having previously censored certain lyrics. As well as the origins of Fairytale, MacGowan told West about his childhood years spent in Ireland and how it felt to have been born on Christmas day.

It was announced bon 30 November 2023 that Shane MacGowan had died aged 65 after a long period of ill health. Tributes to the power and influence of his songwriting have been paid by his fellow band members and artists across the music industry.

#ShaneMacGowan #ThePogues #Pogues #FairytaleOfNewYork #Christmas

00:00 Introduction
01:16 Interview
01:55 On writing Fairytale of New York
03:29 On why people love Fairytale of New York
03:50 On recording with Kirsty MacColl
04:31 On Radio 1 censoring the lyrics
04:50 On being easygoing with his lyrics
05:29 On the death of Kirsty MacColl
06:19 On Fairytale of New York being a romantic song
07:05 On turning 50
07:41 On being born on Christmas Day
08:29 On his lyrical influences
09:52 On writing the lyrics to Fairytale of New York
11:33 On whether he would like it to reach Number 1
12:14 On Pet Shop Boys having the Christmas number 1 in 1987
13:04 On lyrical censorship
15:06 Reading Shane's angels
18:30 Shane watches TV
20:44 Drinks monitor

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