FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK
by THE POGUES FT KIRSTY MACCOLL
Firmly established as one of the UK’s all time favourite Christmas songs, Fairytale Of New York has returned to the Top 40 every year since 2005, but remains one of the most popular songs never to have reached the top of the chart.
Originally released in 1987 and peaking at Number 2 (and pipped to that year’s Christmas Number 1 by Pet Shop Boys’ Always On My Mind), the song was initially written by Pogues’ late frontman Shane MacGowan with fellow Pogues founder Jem Finer for the band’s 1986 debut album Poguetry In Motion, with the band’s bassist Cait O’Riordan on accompanying vocals.
It wasn’t until the band began working with producer Steve Lilywhite that they recorded a version they were happy with, this time with Kirsty MacColl duetting with MacGowan. The sad death of MacGowan in November 2023 followed 23 years after MacColl’s passing, a week before Christmas in December 2000.
A swell of support around Shane MacGowan's passing has seen fans of The Pogues hoping that 2023 could be the year that Fairytale Of New York finally goes all the way and lands the coveted Christmas Number 1 as a fitting tribute to the frontman. See the full list of 2023 Christmas Number 1 contenders.
Music video
Chart history of FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK
Official Singles Chart
Chart facts
- Peak position2
- LabelRHINO
- Catalogue numberGBAHT8703085
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 0No1
- 39Top 10
- 83Top 20
- 99Top 40
- 126Top 75
- 140Top 100
Chart run
Buy
Official Singles Chart Update
Chart facts
- Peak position3
- LabelRHINO
- Catalogue numberGBAHT8703085
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 0No1
- 30Top 10
- 44Top 20
- 51Top 40
- 62Top 75
- 70Top 100
Chart run
Buy
Official Streaming Chart
Chart facts
- Peak position3
- LabelRHINO
- Catalogue numberGBAHT8703085
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 0No1
- 47Top 10
- 55Top 20
- 62Top 40
- 72Top 75
- 76Top 100
Chart run
Buy
Official Video Streaming Chart
Chart facts
- Peak position3
- LabelRHINO
- Catalogue numberGBAHT8703085
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 0No1
- 24Top 10
- 46Top 20
- 59Top 40
- 68Top 75
- 74Top 100
Chart run
Buy
Official Singles Sales Chart
Chart facts
- Peak position2
- LabelRHINO
- Catalogue numberGBAHT8703085
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 0No1
- 9Top 10
- 34Top 20
- 56Top 40
- 68Top 75
- 78Top 100
Chart run
Buy
Official Singles Downloads Chart
Chart facts
- Peak position1
- LabelRHINO
- Catalogue numberGBAHT8703085
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 1No1
- 20Top 10
- 68Top 20
- 97Top 40
- 118Top 75
- 135Top 100
Chart run
Buy
Official Physical Singles Chart
Chart facts
- Peak position2
- LabelRHINO
- Catalogue numberGBAHT8703085
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 0No1
- 7Top 10
- 19Top 20
- 39Top 40
- 69Top 75
- 96Top 100
Chart run
1 week - 25/12/2010
1 week - 17/03/2012
1 week - 09/02/2013
1 week - 28/09/2013
1 week - 12/10/2013
1 week - 09/11/2013
1 week - 30/11/2013
1 week - 18/01/2014
1 week - 16/08/2014
1 week - 13/09/2014
1 week - 18/10/2014
1 week - 17/01/2015
1 week - 21/02/2015
1 week - 14/03/2024
1 week - 17/10/2024
1 week - 27/11/2025
Buy
Official Vinyl Singles Chart
Chart facts
- Peak position2
- LabelRHINO
- Catalogue numberGBAHT8703085
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 0No1
- 5Top 10
- 5Top 20
- 8Top 40
- 8Top 75
- 8Top 100
Chart run
1 week - 27/11/2025
1 week - 05/02/2026
Buy
End of Year Singles Chart
Chart facts
- Peak position73
- LabelRHINO
- Catalogue numberGBAHT8703085
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 0No1
- 0Top 10
- 0Top 20
- 0Top 40
- 3Top 75
- 5Top 100
Chart run
1 week - 05/01/2008
1 week - 31/12/2021
1 week - 31/12/2023
Buy
Official Irish Singles Chart
Chart facts
- Peak position1
- LabelRHINO
- Catalogue numberGBAHT8703085
- First Chart Date
Weeks on chart
- 1No1
- 26Top 10
- 35Top 20
- 47Top 40
- 50Top 75
- 50Top 100
Chart run
Buy
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