Shane MacGowan responds to Jon Bon Jovi's cover of 'Fairytale of New York'

The cover has been slammed by many on social media

Jon Bon Jovi covers 'Fairytale of New York'
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 10th Dec 2020
Last updated 24th May 2021

Shane MacGowan has defended Bon Jovi frontman Jon Bon Jovi’s much-maligned cover of The Pogues’ 1987 festive classic ‘Fairytale of New York’.

On Monday (7th December), Jon Bon Jovi announced that as “an early holiday gift” for fans he has released a three-song festive collection called ‘A Jon Bon Jovi Christmas’, featuring covers of ‘Fairytale of New York,’ Tom Petty’s ‘Christmas All Over Again’, and Elvis Presley’s ‘If I Get Home on Christmas Day.’

Kirsty MacColl and Shane MacGowan in 1987

Frequently voted as the greatest Christmas song of all time in polls and the most-played Christmas song of the 21st century in the UK, it was always a bold move for Jon Bon Jovi to cover ‘Fairytale of New York’, and, unsurprisingly, it has been duly savaged by some on social media.

One Twitter user wrote: “Just listened to the Bon Jovi version of Fairytale of New York and I can honestly say, with no exaggeration whatsoever, that my day is ruined.”

Listen to Jon Bon Jovi's cover of 'Fairytale of New York':

Jon Bon Jovi’s take on ‘Fairytale of New York’ sees him sing both Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl’s parts and also change the infamous swearing lines to “You’re a squirrel ‘cause you’re nuts / You’re a kick in the gut.”

Perhaps indicative of the cover’s widespread lack of appeal, the video on Bon Jovi’s YouTube channel has almost three times more dislikes (1.5k) to likes (542) at the time of writing.

The most-liked comment reads: “Those of us in the US with the ability to hear would like to humbly apologize to the good people of Ireland for this dumpster fire of a song cover. I'd rather listen to Yoko Ono's "music". 2020, you've outdone yourself!”

Despite the outpouring of critical comments online, Shane MacGowan has praised Jon Bon Jovi’s take on the track.

Shane’s wife Victoria Mary Clarke wrote on Twitter: “Shane says @BonJovi is a talented guy and he likes the version, and he thinks it’s interesting and soulful.”

Offering her own view, Clarke added: “I think everyone who wants to judge others for their versions should have to sing it themselves to qualify!”

The Pogues’s official Twitter account - which is not run by Shane - had a less complimentary view of the cover.

The account retweeted controversial comments by Irish musician Rob Smith, who called it (amongst other things) “the worst thing to ever happen (in) music… Thanks a lot, Jon. Kid’s crying now saying “Christmas is ruined”.

They replied: “What Rob said.”

Such is its enduring popularity, The Pogues' ‘Fairytale of New York’ is currently at Number 8 on the Official Singles Chart.

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