Witnessing the birth of a classic Christmas song.

From the Big Apple to the Big Stage: Queenie’s Wild Ride with The Pogues

Get ready for an incredible trip down memory lane! In this exclusive interview on Southampton’s Voice FM, host Xan Phillips sits down with the soulful Queenie—the local talent behind the hit What Do You Do For Me?—to uncover a story that sounds like it was pulled straight from a movie script.

An Irish Upbringing (Without Realising It!)

Queenie takes us back to her roots in Newport, Rhode Island. Growing up in a place where "white meant Irish," she shares the hilarious realization that she didn't even know she was part of an ethnic minority until she left New England.

With a phone book full of Sullivans and a childhood of pinching anyone not wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day, her deep connection to the "soulful, longing" sounds of Irish music was written in the stars.

The Hat That Changed Everything

How did an American girl end up married to Spider Stacy and touring the world with The Pogues?

It all started with a bowler hat. Queenie recounts the raucous 1985 New York gig where a stranger swiped her hat and sailed it onto the stage. The man who returned it? None other than Spider himself.

From sleeping on hotel floors to keep things proper (much to Shane MacGowan’s amusement!) to eventually marrying Spider in ’86, Queenie provides a rare, intimate look at the band during their absolute peak.

The Birth of a Masterpiece: Fairytale of New York

Ever wondered how the greatest Christmas song of all time was born? Queenie was there on the tour bus when Shane MacGowan first pitched the idea: a gritty, romantic, and "naughty" duet about lost hopes and enduring love.

"I thought, 'How cheesy, why?' but Shane knew exactly what he was doing. He presented the whole idea in about a minute... he was clever."

Stepping into Kirsty McCall’s Shoes

In a truly "historical" twist, Queenie reveals what it was like to stand in for the legendary Kirsty McCall. When Kirsty couldn't make the tour, Queenie stepped out of a giant refrigerator on stage, through clouds of dry ice, to dance and sing the iconic duet with Shane.

Don't miss this heartfelt episode! Queenie reflects on the "living, breathing party" of The Pogues' live shows, the genius of Shane’s lyrics, and the bittersweet memories of friends gone too soon.