Fans have gone wild for Ed Sheeran and Anne-Marie‘s recent appearance on Radio 1’s Live Lounge.
The duo went onto the festive edition of the series to perform a rehashed version of The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s 1988 Christmas track Fairytale Of New York.
Appearing on Tuesday’s show, listeners were left impressed by the pair of singers as they took on the holiday classic.
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‘It’s just what we need!’ Listeners heap praise on Ed Sheeran and Anne-Marie as they cover The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s 1988 Christmas classic Fairytale Of New York
‘Can’t get enough of Ed Sheeran & Anne-Marie’s #LiveLounge earlier,’ one fan posted, flocking to Twitter to heap praise on the singers.
‘Anne Marie and Ed Sheeran duetting Fairytale of New York is exactly the kinda thing I need and appreciate!’ a second person wrote.
‘I’m not gonna lie im loving @edsheeran and @AnneMarieIAm version of Fairytale of new York! Nothing will beat the original but it’s still class!’ someone else wrote online.
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Covering a classic: Appearing on Tuesday’s show, listeners were left impressed by the pair of singers as they took on the holiday tune
On November 30, 2023, we sadly bid farewell to the iconic Shane MacGowan of The Pogues. However, as Christmas approaches, it presents the perfect opportunity to celebrate his timeless masterpiece, “Fairytale of New York”.
Ed Sheeran sang a memorable cover of the Christmas ballad with Anne-Marie at the BBC, giving the song a workover in his signature style.
During a special performance at the BBC, Ed Sheeran and Anne-Marie delivered a memorable cover of this Christmas ballad. Sheeran, with his distinctive style, gave the song a softer and more romantic touch, while Anne-Marie infused it with a contemporary flair, showcasing her brilliant vocal talent originally sung by Kirsty MacColl.
Accompanied by the talented Irish trad band Beoga, the duo delivered a remarkable rendition that has captivated over 10 million viewers on the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge session.
In their version of “Fairytale of New York,” Sheeran and Anne-Marie made some changes to the lyrics, including the removal of certain offensive language from the fifth verse, which had originated from a lovers’ quarrel between the characters in the song.
According to the Irish Mirror, Sheeran faced criticism for this more sanitized interpretation, with upset netizens expressing their disapproval.
Regardless of criticism, there are still plenty of positive comments for their performance. One YouTube viewer commented, “I feel like this version is almost too pretty. This needs Shane’s pained “I’m about to die of alcohol poisoning” voice to make it work.”
Another also wrote, “Beautiful I sang this song last night in a Christmas party with a Christian female singer they’ve told me the tempo of this song and now I check the original one I’m loving it I love it what a beautiful cover”
On the other hand, many viewers said that it has NOTHING on the original but it doesn’t mean they hate this performance. They appreciate these artists for taking this song and trying to perform it or make a tribute to it.
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High praise: ‘Can’t get enough of Ed Sheeran & Anne-Marie’s #LiveLounge earlier,’ one fan posted, flocking to Twitter to heap praise on the singers
Another person wrote: ‘Fairytale of New York is my absolute fav Christmas song…& I’ve just heard the Ed Sheeran and Anne Marie Live Lounge – it is incredibl.’
‘Ed Sheeran covering Fairytale of New York in the live lounge has to be the best thing I’ve heard this year,’ came a fellow gushing tweeter.
Wrote another: ‘I am living for Ed Sheeran and Anne Marie’s cover of Fairytale in New York, thankyou @BBCR1 for making this happen cause it’s insane!’
‘Ed Sheeran and Anne-Marie singing Fairytale of New York has just made my night!’ another typed, catching up with the show later in the evening.
On the flip side of this, droves took to Twitter declaring that the cover had ‘ruined Christmas’ and that the pair had ‘butchered’ the classic.
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Loving it: ‘Anne Marie and Ed Sheeran duetting Fairytale of New York is exactly the kinda thing I need and appreciate!’ a second person wrote
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Big fan: ‘Ed Sheeran covering Fairytale of New York in the live lounge has to be the best thing I’ve heard this year,’ came a fellow gushing tweeter
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Wrote another: ‘I am living for Ed Sheeran and Anne Marie’s cover of Fairytale in New York, thankyou @BBCR1 for making this happen cause it’s insane’
‘Just heard the @edsheeran & @AnneMarieIAm cover of Fairytale of New York on @BBCR1. The worst, most soulless cover I’ve heard since the @takethat version of Smells Like Teen Spirit,’ came one irritated tweet.
‘Ed sheeran should be aressted for covering fairytale of New York legendary songs like that should be left alone only the pogues should be allowed to sing it,’ a second person wrote.
‘Why you thought it was a good idea to let Ed sheeran do a version of fairytale of New York I’ll never know f**kin useless!’ a third person raged.
Fumed a fourth: ‘Ed Sheeran covering fairytale of new york has literally ruined my christmas.’
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Gushing: ‘Ed Sheeran and Anne-Marie singing Fairytale of New York has just made my night!’ another typed, catching up with the show later in the evening
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Fuming: ‘Just heared Ed Sheeran and Anne Marie in the Live lounge from yesterday covering Fairytale of New York, probably the most English thing I’ve ever heard sounded p**s poor, sucked the Christmas spirit right out of me,’ muttered another
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Raging: ‘Ed Sheeran’s milquetoast, mirthless cover of “Fairytale of New York” is pure sacrilege. It’s a steaming pile of garbage,’ seethed someone else
‘Just heared Ed Sheeran and Anne Marie in the Live lounge from yesterday covering Fairytale of New York, probably the most English thing I’ve ever heard sounded p**s poor, sucked the Christmas spirit right out of me,’ muttered another.
‘Ed Sheeran’s milquetoast, mirthless cover of “Fairytale of New York” is pure sacrilege. It’s a steaming pile of garbage,’ seethed someone else.
The original song was written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan and first released as a single on 23 November 1987 by their band The Pogues.
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The original: The original song was written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan and first released as a single on 23 November 1987 by their band The Pogues
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Seasonal classic: Although the single never reached the coveted UK Christmas number one, it has reached the UK Top 20 on 14 separate occasions since its original release in 1987, including every year since 2005, and was certified platinum in the UK in 2013
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Shiny: Anne-Marie cut a stylish figure as she headed into Radio 1 ahead of the Live Lounge
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Crisp: The singer flashed her abs in the crop top
It is an Irish folk-style ballad, and featured on The Pogues’ 1988 album If I Should Fall from Grace with God.
Although the single never reached the coveted UK Christmas number one, it has reached the UK Top 20 on 14 separate occasions since its original release in 1987, including every year since 2005, and was certified platinum in the UK in 2013.
In the UK it is the most-played Christmas song of the 21st century.
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Giddy: The songstress seemed more than ready to tackle the festive classic