20Th Century Paddy Tribute Album Celebrates Shane MacGowan

Thirty-six tracks fill a new triple album celebrating Shane MacGowan, arriving three years after the Pogues frontman’s death in November 2023.

Overseen by MacGowan’s widow Victoria Mary Clarke and his sister Siobhan, the expansive tribute collection titled 20th Century Paddy — The Songs of Shane MacGowan releases on Friday, November 13, through Rubyworks, according to RTÉ. The project fulfills an ambition MacGowan often discussed in his final years: writing an entire album where every song title featured the word “Paddy.”

Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, U2, and Steve Earle join a sprawling roster of artists tackling the late singer’s catalog.

Springsteen delivers a stately rendition of “A Rainy Night in Soho,” while Tom Waits transforms “Summer in Siam” into a twilight lullaby.

“He was raw, hilarious, no apologies and profound… I don’t know who’ll be listening to my music in 100 years but I know they’ll be listening to Shane’s,” Springsteen said, according to the Irish Examiner.

Hozier and Jessie Buckley Record Duet in Iconic London Studio

Hozier and Jessie Buckley team up for a new recording of “Fairytale of New York,” capturing attention as one of the release’s biggest selling points. The pair recorded their duet inside London’s RAK Studio 1, utilizing the exact vocal booth where MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl traded lines nearly 40 years prior, RTÉ reported.

Other high-profile contributors put distinct spins on familiar material. Kate Moss delivers an indie-waif take on “Lonesome Highway,” and Johnny Depp pairs with Imelda May for a rendition of “Haunted.” Meanwhile, The Jesus and Mary Chain finally release their version of “I’ll Be Your Handbag,” a track MacGowan originally wrote for the Scottish group in the 1990s.

Charity Support and Live Launches

Half of all artist royalties from the new release will go to the Dublin Simon Community, a charity supporting the homeless that aligns with causes close to MacGowan’s life and work, the Irish Examiner reported. Clarke said that driving the tribute forward offered her essential purpose and structure following his passing.

“You’ve got to try and find something that forces you into the present moment,” Clarke told the Irish Examiner. “It gave me something concrete to do, a reason to be getting up in the mornings and to be in communication with people.”

Celebrations for the record included an official Dublin launch event at Whelan’s on November 9, 2026, featuring live performances and discussions with contributors, Hotpress reported.