WATCH: Ed Sheeran has covered the Christmas classic 'Fairytale Of New York'
Bold move.
A very brave Ed Sheeran has taken on one of the world's most well-loved songs and decided to make it his own.
The musician pairs up with singer-songwriter Anne-Marie and Irish folk band Beoga to take on the iconic 'Fairytale of New York' on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge just last night. The jury is well and truly out on the song at present, with decidedly different views being shared on Twitter.
Ed Sheeran does a "Keating", playing fast and loose with the lyrics in a truly dreadful cover of Fairytale Of New York. You cannot improve on perfection, so don't even try, you hobbit. https://t.co/p6nIIYQCA2
— Barry Glendenning (@bglendenning) December 12, 2017
Phase II of the #Brexit negotiations - and the EU has to stand behind Ireland on stopping Ed Sheeran singing Fairytale of New York #TheFecker
— Joe O'Shea (@josefoshea) December 13, 2017
The original track, recorded in 1987, was performed by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl and is often considered to be the best Christmas song ever written.
Sheeran seemed to be totally aware of the controversy surrounding covering the classic hit, as he revealed his nerves before performing the song live:
"It’s a cover that you shouldn’t really touch … I’m going to get murdered for doing this cover.''
However, before performing, he eventually let out a hearty: ''BUT it’s Christmas!"
Listen in for yourself below.
Whatever you make of it yourself, the question still beckons - is it better or worse than Ronan Keating's take on the track?
