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Shane MacGowan has defended Jon Bon Jovi’s much-criticized version of the Christmas classic, Fairytale of New York.
The American rock singer released his cover of The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s hit on A Jon Bon Jovi Christmas, a three-track EP.
To make the song more radio friendly, Bon Jovi changed some of the lyrics. The most controversial verse of the original song now appears as: “You are a squirrel because you are crazy / You are a kick in the stomach”.
The Pogues responded to the song by retweeting the shocked reaction of Irish musician and DJ Rob Smith: “It’s the worst that ever happened [to] music … Thank you very much, Jon. The boy is crying now, saying ‘Christmas is ruined.’
Steve Lillywhite, who produced the original and was married to MacColl when the song was first released in 1987, tweeted: “The worst version of this song. Sorry Jon … embarrassing and pointless. “
What Rob Said https://t.co/QvwN3a6dLe
– The Pogues (@poguesofficial) December 10, 2020
Despite the backlash, MacGowan, the former lead singer of The Pogues, tried to defend Bon Jovi’s efforts.
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 moving.”
Clarke later posted a video message from MacGowan praising the track.
“Jon B, well done,” he said. “I really liked that version you did of Fairytale of New York.”
Message for @Bon Jovi from Shane! # Fairy tale pic.twitter.com/DSJetJY1Yx
– @victoriamary (@Victoriamary) December 11, 2020
The YouTube video of the new recording has more than three times more thumbs down than up, in addition to more than 1,000 mostly negative comments.
Listeners noted that it is strange that Bon Jovi sings both parts of the duet himself.
The version sung by MacColl and MacGowan spent 109 weeks on the Official Irish Singles Chart, appearing in 17 separate years.
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