Fairytale of New York could end up as number one in the British charts this Christmas, the UK's Official Charts Company has said.
Last week, The Pogues’ frontman Shane MacGowan passed away following a lengthy stay in hospital.
His death at the age of 65 led to an outpouring of grief from his many fans around the world and interest in his work has surged.
On Wednesday, Spotify UK's Daily Chart, which is separate from the Official Charts Company, Fairytale of New York was at number 26 but by Friday it has shot up to number four.
When it was released in 1987, Fairytale of New York reached number two in the British charts and MacGowan’s widow said she would like to see it in the top slot at long last.
"It would be nice, wouldn't it?" Victoria Mary Clarke told the BBC.
"It should be the Christmas number one. It absolutely should."
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Ms Clarke said the turbulent relationship in Fairytale of New York in many ways mirrored her own with the famous musician.
"It's not [the romance that's] gone wrong - in the song, they still love each other," she said.
"But life has gone wrong. I think that's what's probably a little bit similar to our story.
"We were both very much affected by his addiction, but you can still love, even when you're in that situation. And you can be very desperately unhappy as well as [in] love."
MacGowan’s funeral is set to take place in Nenagh, close to where he spent much of his childhood.
The exact arrangements have not yet been confirmed but it is understood the funeral will involve a procession through Dublin.
Main image: Shane MacGowan. Picture by Julie Edwards
