Fairytale of New York: The Great Lyric Fiasco (and some not-so-shabby alternatives)
Ah, Fairytale of New York. A Christmas classic, a singalong favorite, and a song guaranteed to spark lively debates every December. But let's face it, the lyrics haven't exactly aged like a fine wine. Enter the great lyric sanitization saga!
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| How Did They Change The Lyrics To Fairytale Of New York |
The Words That Got Everyone in a Tizzy
We all know the lines: "You're an old st on junk" and the ever-so-charming "You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy f****t." Now, these words might have flown in the 80s, but times change, and some folks weren't too thrilled about hearing them belted out on the radio.
The BBC Takes a Stand (and Gets a Bit Mute)
In 2020, BBC Radio 1 decided to take a machete to the lyrics. Gone were the insults! In their place? Radio silence for "s**t" and a rather tame "you're cheap and you're haggard" replacing the other colorful term. The reaction? Let's just say the internet went into meltdown. Some praised the change, others were outraged at the censorship.
Did the Pogues Themselves Change the Lyrics?
Believe it or not, there's a little-known fact about this whole debacle. There's footage of the fabulous Kirsty MacColl herself changing the lyric during a live performance on Top of the Pops in 1992! She swapped the insult for "you're cheap and you're haggard," a change that kind of went unnoticed for decades.
Tip: Reading twice doubles clarity.
So How Do We Sing This Song Now?
The answer? It's totally up to you! Here's a handy guide:
- Purist: Belt it out, uncensored! Though be prepared for potential side-eye from the easily offended.
- Radio 1 Fan: Channel your inner DJ and mute those naughty bits.
- The Kirsty Special: Adopt Kirsty's subtle change and avoid the controversy altogether.
- The Creative: Rewrite the insults altogether! Maybe replace them with some good-natured ribbing or some topical holiday jabs.
Remember: It's all about having fun and celebrating a classic song, even if the lyrics are a bit of a minefield.
Fairytale of New York: The FAQ
How to sing Fairytale of New York without offending anyone?
Tip: Read at your own pace, not too fast.
There's no guaranteed offense-free way, but you can choose a lyric alteration that suits you (see above).
How did the BBC change the lyrics?
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They muted one word and swapped another for a tamer version.
QuickTip: Treat each section as a mini-guide.
Did the Pogues ever change the lyrics?
Yes! Kirsty MacColl sang a slightly altered version live once.
How can I make my own rewritten lyrics funny?
QuickTip: Slow down when you hit numbers or data.
Get creative! Think of insults related to the holidays or the characters' situation.
Is there a version of Fairytale of New York with completely different lyrics?
There are parodies out there, but none that have quite captured the magic of the original (although some attempts are hilarious!).
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