Do you really like the song?

I LOVE IT!
Raunchy, historic and full of gusto
My choir sings it very enthusiastically !!!
I also like A Rainy Night in Soho which has meaning to me!

I agree about the folk links - and so apparently did MacColl. She turned the song down when it was first offered to her, as it sounded like it would be the kind of music her father made, which she’d always sworn to avoid.

I’ve always liked that song . Yes it’s gritty and rough but I prefer it to some of the smaltzy cheesey Christmas songs . Plus Kirsty Macoll is from my home town . My friend was in her class .

OREO I still listen to the music of my youth, I grew up with Frank Sinatra and Elvis blaring out on my parents radiogram, and Country Music, then graduated to my own tastes of Deep Purple and Pink Floyd, then I discovered Bob Marley £ Reggae, I love all these artists still, along with lots of others, I have very diverse, eclectic taste in music, literature, films and enjoy them as the mood takes me.

Best of all, I couldn’t give a fig if anyone else likes what I like

choughdancer

Love it.

So do I. No more Cliff Richard sickly stuff please
I always played it, even before Shane's death.

Love the song and always have, the tune, the gritty words and the voicesall make it a real favourite.
Cannot understand the comments re pretending to like something that you don't really like. It's only a song, we all have different tastes so why any need for pretence?

Sorry. Never heard it or of it.

it's my favourite christmas song and, as someone up-thread said, so m6ch better than cliff richard or maria carey - both of which have been done to death!

I hate it. Mainly because friends of ours have a party every Xmas and for X amount of years we've all had to gather around their piano (friend is a music teacher) with music and words provided and 'murder' Fairytale of New York'
Everyone thinks they're marvellous and all try to outdo one another warbling away.
I just want to throw up !

Rubbish +++ and depressing!!

Me too!

NoI don’t like the voice. I might like it in a more pleasant voice

I’m not keen on it but I certainly wouldn’t leave a shop because it was on. That’s bonkers

The first time I heard it it became my no 1 favourite Christmas song and it's never been knocked off that spot. Fabulous song.

I’ve always loved this song, hope it makes no. 1 this year

I think it's more about over-indulgence in drink than anything else; Christmas is such a drinking time with some people, and the alcoholism spoils the celebration for everyone. It is indeed a dreadfully sad song.

I can’t stand it. The beginning in particular evokes someone out in the cold feeling miserable, like a homeless person. I expect Christmas songs to feel more uplifting

It is about somebody feeling miserable while everybody else seems to be having a good time. He then thinks about a relationship, which hasn't been ideal, but - despite everything - he's in love.

He's positive about the future and the relationship:

"I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true"

"You took my dreams from me
When I first found you
I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you"

I can't be the only one who's had some horrendous Christmases, which have been a far cry from the "happy families" in the Christmas TV adverts.

Can’t stand the song. He seemed to be permanently drunk or on something (or both). New York isn’t on my bucket list!
I really miss the great Christmas songs from the 70s and 80s, Slade, Elton John, Wizzard, etc. I can’t think of a good recent Christmas song.

I’ve never liked it, but then I don’t like ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ either!

Love the song, its one you can belt out at the top of your voice but.......I just dont see ( or hear) it as a Christmas song.

Like it .👍

Meh. But if anything drove me out of a shop it would be music in general, not one particular song.

It's my favourite Christmas song. A bit different

It’s one of my all time favourite songs