Homophobic slur in The Pogues’ holiday classic “Fairytale of New York” draws renewed scrutiny

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As us Americans contend with the legacy of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, Ireland is currently sparring over its own holiday classic, The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York”, namely its use of a homophobic slur, The Irish Post reports.

The debate began in earnest when DJ Eoghan McDermott sent out a series of tweets calling on fellow broadcasters to censor the slur. “I asked the two gay members of my team how they feel, since faggot is their N word,” he wrote. “If people want to slur the gay community, this is their most powerful weapon. One favours censoring, the other outright not playing it. Neither like it. Simples.”

He went on to compare the situation to the Black Eyed Peas changing their song “Let’s Get Retarded” to “Let’s Get It Started” and, in subsequent tweets, touches on how daytime radio regularly censors even the most minor of swear words with no push back.

This debate rolls around again. I asked the two gay members of my team how they feel, since faggot is their N word. If people want to slur the gay community, this is their most powerful weapon. One favours censoring, the other outright not playing it. Neither like it. Simples. https://t.co/vNaPByZJ7J

— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) December 4, 2018

Phrases that have zero social utility should fall away. Enough vitriol out there without gay people having to feel uncomfortable so people that aren't affected by an insult can tap their toe. Black Eyed Peas "Let's Get Retarded" changed to "Let's Get It Started" – rightly so.

— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) December 4, 2018

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. It’s also good to know that the word has a different meaning overseas. As many have pointed out, MacGowan and Kristy MacCoil were likely drawing upon its use in Irish slang, where it means “lazy.”

The Pogues being a british celtic punk band and Kristy MacColl a british singer reckon this more what they meant in Fairytale of New York rather than the homophobic slur used in the States pic.twitter.com/yZBs7GchWx

— Shanta Baby (@shnowley1699) December 5, 2018

Still, McDermott argued that, like it or not, context doesn’t matter on daytime radio. “Everything is censored for daytime radio. Even social conscience (sic) stuff like Kendrick. You know this,” he wrote. “That’s fine if majority want it in. It’ll probably stay in so. Simply said I didn’t think it was radical for one word to be beeped. Onwards!”

Disagree on the context part. Everything is censored for daytime radio. Even social conscience stuff like Kendrick. You know this. That's fine if majority want it in. It'll probably stay in so. Simply said I didn't think it was radical for one word to be beeped. Onwards!

— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) December 6, 2018

But 98fm would beep N****s In Paris on daytime yes? Even though the context is a kinsman exchange between JayZ & Kanye. Nobody complains. This is a classic song, so people get angry. Again, I didn't start a campaign, I just understand why some people would like it beeped

— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) December 6, 2018

Artists have long had to make a choice about how to approach the lyric when covering the song (and there are so, so many covers). KT Tunstall, for example, changes the word to “braggart” (or maybe “blaggart”?) in her version, while Vampire Weekend’s Rostam, a homosexual, left the word in when he covered it last year.

As you sort out your own feelings, give the original another spin. It’s such a goddamned good song.

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