Hozier & Jessie Buckley Reimagine 'Fairytale of New York'

20th Century Paddy - The Songs of Shane MacGowan', an expansive 36 track tribute album celebrating the indelible lyrical poetry, punk spirit, and storytelling genius of Shane MacGowan including a captivating new rendition of “Fairytale of New York,” uniting Grammy nominated singer songwriter Hozier and Oscar winning actor and singer Jessie Buckley. Out now.

Widely revered as one of the greatest songwriting achievements of all time, "Fairytale of New York" holds sacred cultural real estate. Stepping into the shoes of Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl is a monumental artistic undertaking, one that Hozier and Jessie Buckley approach not as imitation, but as living reverence. Recorded with cinematic warmth and grit, Hozier’s soulful, grounded voice trades verses with Jessie Buckley’s fierce emotional resonance, capturing the tragic romance, stinging bitterness, and bruised tenderness at the beating heart of the masterpiece.

“When I first heard that this project was being put together and that of all songs featured I might end up tackling 'Fairytale of New York', I'll admit to feeling somewhat daunted by the prospect.  It is such a beloved song in Ireland it can seem as though some part of it belongs to the island as a whole.  Shane MacGowan is one of those rare artists that was even in his lifetime held in something of a mythologised light. His work is so intimately woven into the tapestry of our country’s musical canon and so definitive of a mode of musical being that it is truly foundational for so much that has followed. It was an honour to be asked to contribute to the record, and indeed to be trusted with this song.  Reaching out to Jessie Buckley out of the blue with the impossible ask of joining me on this recording is likely the most brass my neck has ever exhibited. Jessie was utterly skybound at the time, moving at a right angle to the earth and about to break the sound barrier, all while caring for a newborn baby and carrying every ounce of it all with a lightness of being that would put any tour-weary musician to shame. In the busy aftermath of winning the Oscar for Best Actress for her incredible performance in Hamnet, Jessie still somehow managed to make time for this duet, bringing every ounce of her grace, energy and talent to the studio in London. To sing with her on this track, and to do so for such a good cause in aid of Dublin’s Simon Community has been an immense joy.”

Hozier 

“To step into the very studio that Shane, Kirsty and the Pogues recorded “Fairytale of New York” and to sing this eternal song of all our hearts, full of hope and humanity was pure joy. When Hozier, one of Ireland’s greatest artists and souls asked me to be part of it, I felt like the luckiest woman in the world. What a pleasure! What a song! What a gift to get to sing this story!” 

Jessie Buckley