The Pogues - Fairytale of New York

While a lot of popular Christmas songs are about presents, family, and various snow-related activities, Fairytale of New York by the Pogues is about an alcoholic sleeping off a binge in a drunk tank. And how about these lyrics to warm your cockles:

You're a bum 

You're a punk

You're an old slut on junk

Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed

You Scumbag, you Maggot

You cheap lousy faggot

Happy christmas your ass

I pray God it’s our last

This song definitely puts the "Merry" in "Merry Christmas." But here's the thing: it's an awesome song. It's been covered by a bunch of artists and the song has consistently been on various "Greatest Christmas Songs of All-Time" lists in the UK. Figures the UK would put a song about a alcoholism and drug addiction in the number one spot. But I have to agree with them. This song is wonderful.

 Buy the song on iTunes here.