Turns out Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift might have something in common besides being at the top of their respective professions. As demonstrated by his appearance on his big brother Jason Kelce’s cover of The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York,” Swift’s latest beau can at least carry a tune. Stream it below.
Recorded for A Philly Special Christmas Special — an upcoming holiday charity album from Jason Kelce and his Philadelphia Eagles teammates Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata — the cover features Jason taking on Pogues vocalist Shane MacGowan’s parts, while Travis sings Kirsty MacColl’s vocals. Together, they transform “Fairytale of New York” from a call and response between a jaded couple and turn it into a song about Philadelphia and their sibling rivalry.
“You’s a lush, you’re a crumb bum, you smell like some old scum,” Jason sings. “Washed up from the Schuylkill and rotting away.” Travis responds, “You dirtbag, you phony, you lousy jabroni/ Happy Christmas, you ass, I pray God it’s our last.” Wisely, they removed the homophobic slur from the original.
Jason, who plays offensive line, and his famous brother actually get along quite well, and the two of them host a podcast together in which Travis has indirectly acknowledged his relationship with Swift.
Swift recently notched her 13th No. 1 album with 1989 (Taylor’s Version) and was nominated for six Grammys. She’s currently set to close out the 2023 leg of “The Eras Tour” with a trio of dates in São Paulo. Next year will see her head out on a lengthy international run before returning to North America in October. Tickets are available for the international dates here and North American dates here.
As for The Pogues, MacGowan has unfortunately been in and out of the hospital since being diagnosed with viral encephalitis last December. His wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, recently shared a positive update about his condition, writing, “We [are] as determined as ever to get home! Thank you a million times to all of the doctors and nurses and all of the staff and everyone who is visiting him!”
