It’s one of the most popular Christmas songs in the UK, but if you’re planning on asking your Alexa-enabled speaker to play The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York, think again.
Alexa is reportedly refusing to play the popular song over its ‘explicit lyrics’.
Several Alexa users have reported their speakers refusing the play the Christmas hit this week.
Speaking to The Sun, one frustrated user said: “Alexa was playing it fine one minute, then overnight decided it was offensive. I can play it by turning off the explicit lyrics filter I have for my kids.”
The hit song, sung by Kirsty MacColl and Shane MacGowan, has proved controversial due to its lyrics, including f****t and slut.
BBC Radio One has even changed some of the lyrics, and muted others.
A BBC spokesman said: "We know the song is considered a Christmas classic and we will continue to play it this year, with our radio stations choosing the version of the song most relevant for their audience."
Speaking in 2018, Mr MacGowan defended the lyrics.
He explained: “The word was used by the character because it fitted with the way she would speak and with her character. She is not supposed to be a nice person, or even a wholesome person.
"She is a woman of a certain generation at a certain time in history, and she is down on her luck and desperate. Her dialogue is as accurate as I could make it, but she is not intended to offend.
"She is just supposed to be an authentic character and not all characters in songs and stories are angels or even decent and respectable. Sometimes characters in songs and stories have to be evil or nasty in order to tell the story effectively.”
Mirror Online has contacted Amazon for comment.
