A major tribute to the late Shane MacGowan is on the way, with a newly announced album bringing together an extraordinary line-up of artists — including Johnny Depp and Hozier — to reinterpret the legendary songwriter’s work.
20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan will arrive in November, led by its first single: Bruce Springsteen’s rendition of A Rainy Night in Soho.
Springsteen also penned an accompanying essay honouring late Pogues frontman MacGowan’s legacy, calling his songwriting “raw, hilarious, no apologies and profound” and placing him in the lineage of musical “geniuses” and “natural rebels” such as Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams and Aretha Franklin.
He recalled visiting MacGowan shortly before he died in 2023, describing the encounter as warm, emotional and unforgettable.
The album features a sweeping list of contributors from across rock, folk and alternative music. Hozier teams up with Oscar-nominated actress Jessie Buckley for a duet, while Tom Waits, Primal Scream, Steve Earle, David Gray, The Libertines, The Jesus and Mary Chain and The Pogues themselves all appear. Johnny Depp contributes a duet with Imelda May, and Kate Moss also features on the tracklist.
MacGowan, who died at 65 after a long period of ill health, left behind one of the most distinctive catalogues in modern music — songs steeped in the experiences of working-class Irish immigrants, blending romance, grit, mythology and poetry.
His wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, who oversaw the project, said the family was “humbled” by the artists involved and praised the album for capturing the spirit of his writing.
She said: “Shane’s spirit and songwriting are eternally exalted through this glorious collection, each song is uniquely and graciously interpreted by these beyond-beautiful artists and his family are humbled by and thankful to each and every one of the musicians involved.”
Half of the artist royalties will be donated to Dublin Simon Community, a homelessness charity MacGowan supported throughout his life. The organisation said his compassion for people sleeping rough was well known, noting that he always stopped to acknowledge those he met on the street.
The full list of confirmed contributors includes: Amble, Bruce Springsteen, Camille O’Sullivan, Cronin, Damien Dempsey, David Gray, Dropkick Murphys, Garron Noone, Glen Hansard, Hozier and Jessie Buckley, Johnny Depp and Imelda May, Johnny Mac and The Faithful, Kate Moss, Liam &Ocute; Maonlaí, Lisa Moorish and Another Day, Lisa O’Neill, LYRA, Madra Salach, Moya Brennan, Mundy, Picture This, Pinch of Snuff, Primal Scream, Steve Earle, The High Kings, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Libertines, The Murder Capital, The Pogues and Tom Waits.
