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Fairytale of New York Trivia Quiz

A Christmas song with a difference, arguably the most soul wrenching, bittersweet song ever written. This is my first quiz, I hope you like it.

A multiple-choice quiz by Roisindubh. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Roisindubh

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
276,687

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
581

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The title "Fairytale of New York" was taken from the title of a novel by which author? Hint

Mark Twain

J.P.Dunleavy

James Joyce

Brendan Behan

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Who wrote "Fairytale of New York" the song? Hint

Phil Coulter and Ronnie Drew

Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl

Ronan Keating and Bono

Shane McGowan and Jem Finer

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Released by the Pogues, who sings "Fairytale of New York"? Hint

Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl

Shane MacGowan and Cilla Black

Bono and Andrea Corr

Ronan Keating and Mary Black

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Fill in the missing word in "Fairytale of New York"!
"They've got cars big as ___
They've got rivers of gold" Hint

Mars

jars

elephants

bars

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Which actor is featured in the video clip of the song "Fairytale of New York"? Hint

Matt Damon

Matt Dillon

Tom Cruise

Peter Sellers

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What Pogues album is the song "Fairytale of New York" from? Hint

Hell's Ditch

The Iron Behind the Velvet

If I Should Fall from Grace with God

Pogue Mahone

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Complete the lines from the song
"The boys from the NYPD choir
were singing ___ " Hint

Galway Bay

Rare Old Times

Yankee Doodle

Mountains of Mourne

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. One of the singers of "Fairytale in New York" died tragically in 2000. Can you name him/her? Hint

Shane McGowan

Mary Black

Ronan Keating

Kirsty MacColl

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What day was Shane McGowan born? Hint

St Patrick's Day

Independence Day

Easter Sunday

Christmas Day

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. In what year was the song "Fairytale of New York" written? Hint

1975

1990

1987

1985

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The title "Fairytale of New York" was taken from the title of a novel by which author?

Answer: J.P.Dunleavy

J.P. Dunleavy wrote the novel "Fairytale of New York" in 1973. The theme in both song and novel is comparable, both address the fleeting nature of the American dream. Shane MacGowan chose the name for his song after it was written and recorded. It is now a festive classic.

2. Who wrote "Fairytale of New York" the song?

Answer: Shane McGowan and Jem Finer

Shane MacGowan and band member Jem Finer wrote it together. English music channels conducted polls and it was voted best Christmas song of all time in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

3. Released by the Pogues, who sings "Fairytale of New York"?

Answer: Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl

Originally it was to be sung by Shane MacGowan and Cait O'Riordan. Cait decided to leave the band before the song was recorded. Kirsty was asked to do a demo and the rest is history.

4. Fill in the missing word in "Fairytale of New York"! "They've got cars big as ___ They've got rivers of gold"

Answer: bars

Shane and Jem were trying to convey the fact that people thought everything in America was bigger and better.

5. Which actor is featured in the video clip of the song "Fairytale of New York"?

Answer: Matt Dillon

Matt Dillon plays a New York cop in the video. Matt loved the role and said it was the best moment of his career.

6. What Pogues album is the song "Fairytale of New York" from?

Answer: If I Should Fall from Grace with God

Released in 1987 "If I Should Fall from Grace with God" was a change from previous albums which were mainly Irish Folk/Punk. "If I Should Fall from Grace with God" although mainly Irish, included jazz and Spanish Folk. It was the first of their albums to use a complete drum kit.

7. Complete the lines from the song "The boys from the NYPD choir were singing ___ "

Answer: Galway Bay

There really is no NYPD choir. There is, however, a NYPD pipe and drum unit who play on the video of the song "Fairytale of New York."

8. One of the singers of "Fairytale in New York" died tragically in 2000. Can you name him/her?

Answer: Kirsty MacColl

Kirsty was swimming with her family in Mexico in the year 2000 when she was struck by a speedboat.

9. What day was Shane McGowan born?

Answer: Christmas Day

Shane's Irish parents went to England for the holidays. Shane was born there on Christmas Day 1957. They brought him back to Ireland when he was three months old.

10. In what year was the song "Fairytale of New York" written?

Answer: 1987

It was written in 1987 for the album "If I Should Fall from Grace with God".

Source: Author Roisindubh

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
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