It’s easy to get a little cynical around the holidays. Between all the insufferable hype and shamelessly rampant consumerism, sometimes it feels like there’s no escape from the superficial “glee” that seems to be around every corner this time of the year. But occasionally, you encounter something that feels so genuine, pure, and frankly heartwarming that it can’t help but conjure up a little legitimate Christmas magic in the process. Such is the case every time this writer hears The Pogues’ classic “Fairytale in New York,” a song that hits differently around the holidays, particularly in light of Shane MacGowan’s passing last year. Revel in this jewel of a performance from 1987, which, of course, features the late great Kirsty MacColl as well, and feel all that Christmas cynicism melt away. R.I.P. Shane and Kirsty:
