Fairytale Of New York P.s. I Love You

Okay, let's talk Christmas songs. We all have our festive favorites. And some we secretly (or not-so-secretly) loathe.

Ready for my confession? I'm about to commit Christmas music blasphemy. I'm not a huge fan of Fairytale of New York.

The Ballad of Bad Teeth and Brawls

I know, I know! It's a classic! But honestly, the "romantic" argument scene? It makes me cringe more than cheer.

It starts so hopeful. Then descends into name-calling. "You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot." Not exactly mistletoe and wine, is it?

Maybe it's just me. Maybe I prefer my Christmas cheer a little less…gritty. More tinsel, less teeth-gnashing.

Alternative Heartbreak Anthems?

Now, if we're talking about heartbreak in song...that's a different story.

There's a film called P.S. I Love You.

It is a tearjerker of epic proportions.

P.S. I Love You: A Different Kind of Grief

The film follows Holly, played by Hilary Swank. Her husband, Gerry (Gerard Butler), dies unexpectedly.

Before his death, Gerry wrote Holly a series of letters. Each ends with "P.S. I Love You."

These letters guide her through her grief. They push her to try new things. They are a bittersweet reminder of their love.

Why I Connect More With Holly's Story

Maybe it's the raw emotion. The portrayal of grief feels incredibly real. It's messy, painful, and not always pretty.

Fairytale of New York is a snapshot of a volatile relationship. P.S. I Love You is about enduring love beyond the grave.

One showcases a fight. The other showcases resilience.

The Power of Letters (and Gerard Butler's Accent)

Okay, let's be real. Part of the appeal of P.S. I Love You is Gerard Butler singing "Galway Girl." With a questionable Irish accent.

The film gets accused of being overly sentimental. Maybe it is. But sometimes, a little sentimentality is what we need.

The letters are a powerful symbol. A symbol of love that transcends death. A symbol of hope when everything feels hopeless.

Unpopular Opinion Alert!

So, here it is. My unpopular opinion. If I had to choose between listening to Fairytale of New York on repeat for an hour, or watching P.S. I Love You, I’m grabbing the tissues.

I'll take the emotionally charged drama over the drunken brawl. Every. Single. Time.

Call me a sap. Call me overly sensitive. That's fine.

What Makes a Song (or Film) "Good"?

Ultimately, what makes a song or film "good" is subjective. It's about personal connection.

For me, P.S. I Love You resonates more deeply. It provides a sense of catharsis. While Fairytale of New York always feels like a really stressful party.

Maybe you disagree. And that's perfectly okay! Happy Holidays, whatever your soundtrack!

Just please, don't make me listen to Shane MacGowan scream about bad teeth this year.

Unless…does anyone have a good Christmas movie recommendation featuring a really terrible argument? Asking for a friend.