Fairytale of New York undergoing rewrites and aborted attempts at recording, and losing its original female vocalist along the way, before finally being completed in August 1987. Although the single never reached the coveted UK Christmas number one, being kept at number two on its original release in 1987 by the Pet Shop Boys' cover version of "Always on My Mind", it has proved enduringly popular with both music critics and the public: to date the song has reached the UK Top 20 on fifteen separate occasions since its original release in 1987, including every year since 2005, and was certified double platinum in
Fiesta (The Pogues song) departure from the group, and subsequent marriage to Elvis Costello. The music video was directed by popular British comedian and actor Adrian Edmondson, and filmed on the roof of Casa Batlló in Barcelona. "Fiesta" was the last Pogues singles to make the United Kingdom Top 30, while MacGowan was with the band. The song is a live highlight, and has been included in most setlists since its release, often as the closer with whistle player Spider Stacy adding percussion by beating a beer tray against his head. Fiesta (The Pogues song) "Fiesta" is a single by The Pogues, featured on