A major new tribute album celebrating the songwriting legacy of Shane MacGowan is bringing together an unusually wide circle of musicians, actors, and cultural figures to reinterpret the work of the late Pogues frontman.
The project, titled 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan, will arrive on November 13 through Rubyworks. More than two dozen artists are contributing fresh renditions of songs originally written or popularized by MacGowan, whose poetic and often unruly storytelling helped define the Pogues’ sound.
The first preview of the album comes from Bruce Springsteen, who has recorded a new version of the Pogues classic “A Rainy Night in Soho.” The song, originally released in 1986, has long been considered one of MacGowan’s most emotionally resonant compositions. Springsteen’s interpretation serves as the opening glimpse into the larger project and underscores the deep respect many musicians hold for MacGowan’s work.
In addition to recording the cover, Springsteen shared a reflection on MacGowan’s artistic influence, describing him as a rare songwriter whose voice carried both raw humanity and historical weight. The tribute highlighted MacGowan’s ability to combine humor, rebellion, and vulnerability into songs that captured the spirit of Irish life and the wider immigrant experience.
The album’s contributor list reads like a cross section of modern rock and folk culture. Tom Waits contributes a track that marks his first new studio recording in several years. Other participants include Primal Scream, the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Libertines, Dropkick Murphys, Glen Hansard, Steve Earle, and Hozier, who collaborates with actor and singer Jessie Buckley.
Several unexpected names also appear among the performers. Johnny Depp and Imelda May join forces for one recording, while fashion icon Kate Moss is also involved in the project. The surviving members of the Pogues themselves will participate as well, adding a personal dimension to the tribute.
According to MacGowan’s widow, Victoria Mary Clarke, the album title reflects an idea the songwriter once had for his own project. By adopting the concept for the tribute, the collaborators aim to celebrate the fearless creativity and lyrical brilliance that defined his career.
MacGowan’s influence stretches far beyond the Celtic punk movement often associated with the Pogues. His songs combined traditional Irish melodies with punk energy and literary storytelling, producing classics that remain widely performed decades after their release.
With more artists still expected to be announced and the full tracklist yet to be revealed, 20th Century Paddy is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious musical tributes in recent years. The project stands as a collective salute to a songwriter whose voice, both unruly and deeply poetic, continues to echo across generations.