Home / Arts and Entertainment / Fairytale of New York: Royalties Still Soar
Fairytale of New York: Royalties Still Soar
16 Dec, 2025
Summary
- The Pogues' Fairytale of New York earns substantial annual royalties.
- The song has never reached number one on UK charts.
- Lyrics controversy led to BBC censoring the track.
Released in 1987, The Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York' has become a perennial Christmas favorite, continuing to earn substantial royalties annually. Co-written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan, with vocals by Kirsty MacColl, the song's genesis reportedly stemmed from a challenge to create a non-sentimental Christmas track.
The enduring popularity of 'Fairytale of New York' sees it consistently rank high in polls for Britain's favorite Christmas song. However, it has famously never achieved the coveted Christmas number one spot on the UK charts. Its closest attempt was in 1987, reaching number two, and a recent resurgence following Shane MacGowan's death in November 2023 only saw it peak at number six.
Despite its widespread appeal, the song has faced scrutiny over lyrics containing a homophobic slur. In 2020, BBC Radio 1 opted to broadcast a censored version, replacing offensive terms with alternative phrasing. Shane MacGowan had previously defended the original lyrics, stating they were integral to the character's portrayal in the song's narrative.
