‘People miss the point of Christmas. It’s supposed to be about Jesus’ The faith of Shane MacGowan

The Pogues frontman may be better known for his wild living than anything resembling Christianity, but the rockstar who once contemplated priesthood had a genuine – if complicated – interest in the spiritual, says Tim Bechervaise. 

Did you know that Shane MacGowan’s birthday was Christmas Day? I didn’t - until his death last month. How apt for a man whose band, The Pogues, is responsible for ‘Fairytale of New York’, one of the all-time great festive songs.

It’s one of the many notable soundbites to emerge as tributes poured in for a man whose music and life resonated with many – as reflected in the thousands who turned out for his funeral last Friday. Another interesting fact is that, for all its popularity, ‘Fairytale of New York’ has never made it to number one – until this year maybe?

But there’s something else nestled away in the many tributes to the Irish music legend, and that’s references to faith – including how, prior to becoming a punk star, he once considered entering the priesthood.