When the Canadian band Stars recorded their cover of “Fairytale in New York,” just in time for Christmas 2005, I don’t think the Pogues song was yet considered an unavoidable holiday classic. It certainly wasn’t prominent enough in the cultural consciousness for there to be earnest, understandable public fretting about one particular bigoted word in the lyrics, as evidenced by Stars casually, comfortably including it. (Although there’s no reason to think of Shane MacGowan as a paragon of sensitivity, the lyrical context suggests he was thinking of the word’s usage in Irish slang as a more general term for a layabout. That surely doesn’t lessen the sting for those who find it especially hurtful, but it is still worth considering the likely intent before offering blanket condemnations.) Plenty of artists have now offered their unique spins on the song, but I like to think of Stars as trailblazers.

And it’s a lovely version, at that, sweetly capturing the magic of the big city at Christmastime and adding a kindly ruminative quality to the recounting of bedraggled souls who might be stuck eating their holiday meal in the drunk tank.

My household has up and transplanted to Brooklyn for Xmas 2017. While it may not be advisable to emulate every turn in this song’s story, I’ll bet we can find a frosty corner where the dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra crooning waft through a tavern door. And we’ll dance through the night.

Listen or download –> Stars, “Fairytale of New York”

(Disclaimer: Being real here, I have no earthly idea if this version “Fairytale of New York” is available in a physical format that can purchased from your favorite local, independently-owned record store in a manner that compensates both the proprietor of said shop and the original artist. This song is not shared as an impediment to or replacement for such commerce. Go buy records! Records by Stars! Records by anybody! Just buy them from that small shop. I will gladly and promptly remove this file from my little corner of the digital world if asked to do so by any individual or entity with due authority to make such a request.)