Big news for people who love raucous singalongs and the occasional lyrical lobotomy: an all-star tribute album celebrating Shane MacGowan is on the way. The compilation, titled 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan, drops 13 November. Leading the charge is Bruce Springsteen, who has already released his take on "A Rainy Night in Soho".
Springsteen’s love letter (but with guitars)
Springsteen didn’t just hand in a cover version and leave. He wrote an essay praising MacGowan’s songwriting, placing him in the company of towering, unruly artists who were both products of their time and somehow timeless. In short: he called MacGowan raw, funny, fearless and endlessly human. He also revealed a sweet, small moment from near the end of MacGowan’s life, saying he spent a warm afternoon with him, thanked him for his work and told him he loved him.
Who’s on the guest list? Spoiler: a lot of folks you’d expect, and some you might not
The roster is gloriously eclectic. Expect gravelly veterans, indie stalwarts and Irish voices spanning generations. Confirmed contributors include:
- Tom Waits and Steve Earle
- The Libertines, Primal Scream and the Jesus and Mary Chain
- Irish artists from Lisa O’Neill to Damien Dempsey, plus members of the surviving Pogues
There are also duet treats: Hozier teams up with Jessie Buckley, and Johnny Depp pairs with Imelda May. Supermodel Kate Moss is listed among the contributors, though exactly what she sings or tambourines remains a mystery. For context, Moss has dabbled in music before, popping up with Primal Scream, Babyshambles and the Lemonheads, and even lending tambourine energy to some Oasis sessions.
Good cause, too
Half of the artists' royalties from the album will go to the Dublin Simon Community, a charity that supports people experiencing homelessness in Dublin. So the project is serving both nostalgia and goodwill in roughly equal measures.
Why this matters
MacGowan, born in England to Irish parents, carved out one of the most distinctive voices in modern Irish music, whether leading the Pogues or writing solo. His songs could be riotous, heartbreaking, or both at once. The Pogues' Fairytale of New York has become an annual fixture on the charts for a reason. MacGowan died at 65 in November 2023 after long-term illness, and this compilation is the latest of many tributes to his work.
Earlier memorials included a dual tribute at Carnegie Hall earlier this year that honoured both MacGowan and Sinéad O’Connor, with performers such as David Gray, Dropkick Murphys and Glen Hansard taking part. Those artists appear on this new collection as well.
The Pogues and the legacy tour
The Pogues themselves have been marking milestones. They marked 40 years since their debut album with a string of anniversary shows, including a London date that featured guest turns from members of Fontaines DC, Lankum and Goat Girl. They also announced a greatest hits tour across Europe for November and December, with more special guests expected.
This tribute album looks like a fitting, slightly chaotic, very heartfelt celebration of a songwriter who made messiness feel like an art form. Put it on when you want your evening to teeter between sentiment and singalong chaos.
