The lyrics to “Fairy Tale of New York” are only half the story of this song. What comes across most strongly in the lyrics are the elements of despair, bitterness and frustrated rage and some people never see beyond that. My partner for example cannot stand the song, she just finds it depressing – maybe [...]

Shane McGowan is an extraordinary song writer. Some Xmas songs are about happiness, some are cynical, some are calls to think of the past and the future but I cannot think of anyone else who could write a song like ‘Fairy Tale of New York’ with its immense range of emotions – lost dreams, bitterness [...]

Nick Drake wrote about a black-eyed dog calling for him. His words are so simple and so powerful that I can very rarely listen to the song. For anyone who has been there, they are too real. Winston Churchill called it ‘the Black Dog’ and sought refuge in brandy and cocaine like many before him. [...]