AceShowbiz - For first-time listeners, "Fairytale of New York" may sound like the kind of song which talks about all the magical things that happen during Christmas. Little did they know, this classic has been drawing controversies over the years for its homophobic lyrics. Kirsty McColl, who joined forces with The Pogues on the track, could be heard singing, "You scumbag, you m****t, you cheap lousy f****t. Happy Christmas you arse, I pray God it's our last."

Shane McGowan, the frontman of the band, himself has addressed the controversy, insisting that the female singer never intended to offend anyone. He went on saying that he just tried to make her sound "evil and nasty." Shane said, "If people don't understand that I was trying to accurately portray the character as authentically as possible then I am absolutely fine with them bleeping the word but I don't want to get into argument."