JON BON JOVI has released a brand new version of The Pogues' Fairytale Of New York, but has removed any supposedly 'offensive' lyrics.
As part of his new official holiday album, Bon Jovi is gifting fans this year with not one, not two, not four, but three covers of Christmas classics.
Alongside Fairytale of New York, he's decided to cover Tom Petty's Christmas All Over Again, as well as Elvis Presley's If I Get Home on Christmas Day.
But it's the Pogues' Christmas smash-hit that has everybody talking this year.
Controversy has surrounded the song for a number of years, with some claiming the use of homophobic and sexist slurs make the track unsuitable for the public domain.
Last month, the BBC announced it would not be featuring the original version of the song on BBC Radio 1 this Christmas due to the offensive nature of some of the lyrics, and would instead be playing an alternative version with the slurs replaced.
Jon Bon JoviBon Jovi has decided to go down the same path, removing the words 'f****t' and 'sl*t' from his cover.
In fact, the 'Living on a Prayer' singer has completely revamped the controversial verse in its entirety.
The original verse, written by Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl reads:
You're a punk
You're an old sl*t on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed
You scumbag, you maggot
You cheap lousy f****t
Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God it's our last."
But Bon Jovi has changed it to:
"You're a bum, you're a braggart
You've lost all your swagger
And the word around town is you ain't much in bed
You're a squirrel cause you're nuts
You're a kick in the gut
Happy Christmas, my arse
I'll be glad it's our last."
Have a listen below:
Entertaining, but nothing beats the original version.
