Ed Sheeran made the brave, some would say foolhardy, decision to cover Fairytale of New York, aka the all-time best Christmas song ever, on the BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge today and the reaction has been decidedly mixed.
The original 1987 track by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl is considered by many to be a festive season classic that should not be messed with.
However, Sheeran was not to be deterred, and before he performed the song live with singer-songwriter Anne-Marie and Irish folk band Beoga, he said: "It’s a cover that you shouldn’t really touch … I’m going to get murdered for doing this cover.
"BUT it’s Christmas!", he added.
Check out their version of the track below.
Many fans took to Twitter to express their joy at the cover, saying it's made them feel all Christmassy.
Ed Sheeran and Anne-Marie’s cover of Fairytale of New York is probably my new favourite thing ever 😍🤙🏻🙌🏻
— Chloe 💛 (@chloemackay__) December 12, 2017
@edsheeran @BBCR1 all of the yes to the amazing cover of Fairytale of New York. Wowser! Usually not a fan of covers but this is sheer class! ❤️🎄
— Mills (@whizzaway) December 12, 2017
@edsheeran & @AnneMarieIAm covered Fairytale of New York,just when I thought I couldn't love that song anymore😍
— Isla (@xIslakerr) December 12, 2017
ed sheeran singing Fairytale of New York and Jingle Bells has honestly made my whole day😍😂
— Shannon (@aIltimeshannon) December 12, 2017
The fact that Ed sheeran done a cover of fairytale of New York WHICH IS MY FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SONG OF ALL TIME and jingle bells actually makes me feel so happy and excited for Christmas😁
— Tiegan Walker (@fck_tiegan) December 12, 2017
ED SHEERAN HAS COVERED FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK BOY I AM ALIVE
— Sam (@KodaSamm) December 12, 2017
Ed Sheeran and Ann Marie's version of fairytale of new york has made my Christmas already
— Chlo chlo x (@ChloBear_xo) December 12, 2017
Ed Sheeran nailed Fairytale of New York, FairPlay
— Johnny (@JohnnyrMUFC98) December 12, 2017
Listening to this on repeat until Christmas: Ed Sheeran & Anne-Marie - Fairytale Of New York in the Live Lounge https://t.co/dfSaAeREr5 via @YouTube
— Hannah Croft Bushman (@Hannah_Croft) December 12, 2017
Also @edsheeran’s sweater 👌🏼😍
@edsheeran & @AnneMarieIAm & @beogamusic have perfectly covered Fairytale of New York. My ears are in love with this cover. Cover King Ed ❤️ #fairytaleofnewyork #EdSheeran #BBCRadioOne
— Sophie Donnelly (@SophieDonnelly7) December 12, 2017
You don’t mess around with legendary songs but Ed Sheeran has done a decent job with "Fairytale of New York"
— Daniel Corr (@DanyeCorr) December 12, 2017
Some commentators were not so kind, asking "is nothing sacred" and saying it's "downright offensive".
Ed Sheeran covering Fairytale of New York for Radio 1. IS NOTHING SACRED. pic.twitter.com/f2RmXgIbaj
— Sarah Marsden (@IntrepidSarah) December 12, 2017
Why have radio 1 allowed Ed Sheeran to butcher my one fave Christmas song (The fairytale of New York) is nothing sacred anymore???
— Bαm☽⚛ (@ambxrmatthews) December 12, 2017
Ed Sheeran covering Fairytale of New York is just downright offensive
— Holly Seddon (@hjseddon) December 12, 2017
Fairytale of New York was murdered today. Do not want Ed Sheeran. Do not want.
— Damien Devlin (@DamienDevlin1) December 12, 2017
Ed Sheeran covering Fairytale of New York can get in the bin 🗑
— Liam Jøhn Cøuttie (@ljcouttie) December 12, 2017
Galway Girl was bad enough but Ed Sheeran should be arrested for this version of Fairytale of New York that is currently playing on my radio
— 🎄ideen (@aideenblackwood) December 12, 2017
As much as I love Ed sheeran him and Ann Marie absolutely butchered fairytale of newyork... Pls leave it to the Pogues in future 🙏
— Sarah allinson (@Sarahallinson3) December 12, 2017
Ed Sheeran had a go, but you just don’t go near Fairytale of New York
— Sean Lawson (@Seany_FC) December 12, 2017
hmmm so @edsheeran covered Fairytale Of New York today with @AnneMarieIAm, distinctly average, not a patch on the original IMO.
— fatreg (@fatreg) December 12, 2017
I just had the unfortunate luck of hearing 5 secs of Ed Sheeran covering ‘fairytale of New York’. Sorry Ears. Xmas ruined. #LiveLounge
— haribolectah (@haribolectah) December 12, 2017
There is only one acceptable cover version of ‘Fairytale of New York’ and that is Christy Moore’s version. Take heed, Ed Sheeran. 😏🙄.
— Andrew Edwards (@Red_or_Dead_Edd) December 12, 2017
@eoghanmcdermo as a huge huge huge Ed Sheeran fan please do me a favour and never play that version of fairytale of New York again 🙉🙉🙉
— Cinta ✨ (@itsCintaBitchx) December 12, 2017
@eoghanmcdermo good lord.. ed sheeran doing fairytale of New York... is nothing sacred?!?!??
— Elaine O'Shea (@oshea_elaine) December 12, 2017
We have to say the below reaction has tickled our funny bone.
I don’t rate Ed Sheeran’s cover of Fairytale of New York but learnt more lyrics listening to it once than I have in 20 years of listening to the original
— andy 🎄 (@andy___green) December 12, 2017
If you feel like you need to clean your ears out after hearing Ed Sheeran's take on Fairtayle of New York, have a listen to the original below.
