Vying for the coveted number one Christmas spot, we have our money on Mariah, but our hearts are with The Pogues
In a festive showdown for the Christmas number one spot, The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York” is making a bid for the top, especially poignant following the recent passing of their frontman, Shane MacGowan.
The Official Charts Company has set the stage for a holiday face-off against Wham! and Mariah Carey.
Since its release in ’87, “Fairytale of New York” has been a perennial number two, always so close yet just out of reach.
Now, with the recent loss of Shane MacGowan at 65, there’s a wave of sentiment hoping for the song’s long-deserved recognition.
Currently, Wham!’s “Last Christmas” is a strong contender, climbing the ranks, closely followed by Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” setting the stage for a close finish with just 1,500 chart units between them.
Shane MacGowan’s passing has propelled “Fairytale of New York” up 15 places to a respectable third position.
With less than three weeks until the Christmas chart reveal on December 22nd, it seems the odds are favoring The Pogues this time.
And, of course, where there’s a chart battle, there’s some friendly gambling involved. The bookies are putting their money on “Fairytale of New York” with 1/5 odds, making it the frontrunner against Wham! and Carey.
The song, a collaboration between MacGowan and Pogues co-founder Jem Finer, gained iconic status with a later version featuring the late Kirsty MacColl. Despite being a regular on the UK Christmas top 40 since 2005, the elusive number one has remained just out of reach.
MacGowan’s widow, Victoria Mary Clarke, is all in for the track to take the Christmas crown, saying, “It should be the Christmas number one, it absolutely should. I’m very much in favor of that.”
As the holiday charts unfold, other contenders are vying for a spot in the Top 10, promising a friendly Christmas chart showdown. The music scene is ready for a battle, and time will tell whether “Fairytale of New York” will emerge as the ultimate Christmas anthem—a fitting tribute to Shane MacGowan’s enduring musical legacy.
Meanwhile, in Australia, the Christmas chart scene is echoing the excitement seen elsewhere. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is spreading festive cheer, and Wham!’s “Last Christmas” continues its annual dance on the Aussie charts.
Cher adds a touch of diva flair to the holiday playlist with “DJ Play a Christmas Song,” and Michael Bublé’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” and Brenda Lee’s classic “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” are also leaving its mark Down Under with their timeless sound.
As the holiday musical showdown unfolds globally, the question remains: which festive tune will take the crown? Will The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York” finally have its moment, or will the perennial favorites maintain their reign? The festive season is not just about the competition but also about the melody that will accompany our holiday memories for years to come.
