"The changing of the word ‘faggot’ for the nonsense word ‘haggard’ destroys the song by deflating it right at its essential and most reckless moment, stripping it of its value" - Nick Cave wrote on his blog after BBC announced that Radio 1 would be playing an alternate version of The Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York'. With this change "it becomes a song that has been tampered with, compromised, tamed, and neutered and can no longer be called a great song. It is a song that has lost its truth, its honour and integrity".

The Pogues were the most dangerous band in Britain and Ireland - the Quietus says in a review of the new documentary about the Irish punk band's frontman. 'Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan' tells the singer's story with the help of IRA's Gerry Adams, and goes into two directions - "it reminds the viewer what incredible talent MacGowan had during the 1980s, and also just how dangerous he was considered by the establishment".

It's a match made in heaven (or hell maybe?) - Johnny Depp produced a documentary about the Pogues leader Shane MacGowan, directed by Julien Temple, responsible for the Sex Pistols movie 'The Great Rock ‘N’ Roll Swindle' as well as docs on the Pistols and the Clash. 'Crock Of Gold — A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan' features animation by Ralph Steadman, it traces MacGowan’s life, culminating at his 60th birthday blowout on Christmas night 2018 with an all-star tribute concert featuring performances from likes of Bono, Nick Cave, Sinéad O’Connor and Johnny Depp. It's coming to theatres and VOD in December.

“The word was used by the character because it fitted with the way she would speak and with her character... Her dialogue is as accurate as I could make it but she is not intended to offend! She is just supposed to be an authentic character and not all characters in songs and stories are […]

Ireland is currently sparring over its holiday classic, The Pogues’ 'Fairytale of New York', namely its use of a word "faggot". It’s important to remember that the word itself is ensconced in the character and speech of a particularly volatile character within the song, and is not a declaration from singer Shane MacGowan. Consequence of […]