A rousing, rowdy holiday song from The Pogues and Kristy MacColl, released in 1987. The lyrics are a lot of fun, with the singers slagging each other, and the chorus can't be beat:
The boys of the NYPD choirWere singing Galway BayAnd the bells were ringing outFor Christmas day
From a live performance:
The two singers had contrasting fates over the years.
Shane MacGowan, founder and lead singer of The Pogues, with his bad teeth, alcoholism, and later heroin addiction, is still alive today, celebrating his 65th birthday on Christmas Day, despite many who predicted his early demise.
Kristy MacColl was not a member of The Pogues, but sang on this song, which was produced by her then-husband, Steve Lilywhite, and it's her vocal that really makes this memorable. On December 18, 2000, Kristy and her two teenage sons were on vacation in Cozumel, Mexico, diving in a designated area from which watercraft were restricted. When a speeding powerboat entered the area, Kristy was able to push her sons out of the way before being struck and instantly killed. She was 41.
