Bruce Springsteen to Release Moving Tribute to Shane MacGowan with Cover of “A Rainy Night in Soho”

Bruce Springsteen is set to release a cover of The Pogues’ beloved song “A Rainy Night in Soho” as a heartfelt tribute to the late Shane MacGowan, the iconic frontman of the Irish band. The announcement was made by MacGowan’s wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, on her Instagram account [Instagram Post].

A Stunning Tribute to a Musical Legend

Clarke shared that Springsteen has recorded a “beautiful version” of the song, describing it as a “stunning tribute to Shane’s songwriting.” The cover is scheduled for release on Thursday, March 12th, according to the announcement. [Consequence]

Longtime Admiration and Previous Performances

Springsteen’s connection to MacGowan and The Pogues runs deep. He has long been a fan of MacGowan’s work, once stating he was one of his “all-time favorite writers” and predicting his songs would be sung for another 100 years. [KSHE 95]

He previously performed “A Rainy Night in Soho” live as the opening song at his concert in Kilkenny, Ireland, in May 2024, as a special tribute to MacGowan. [Facebook]

Remembering Shane MacGowan

MacGowan passed away in November 2023 at the age of 65. Springsteen publicly expressed his heartbreak following the news, praising MacGowan’s “passion and deep intensity” and calling his music “timeless and eternal.” [KSHE 95]

Tribute Album in the Works

Victoria Mary Clarke has also revealed that a Shane MacGowan tribute album featuring a diverse range of artists is planned for release later this year. [KSHE 95]

The release of Springsteen’s cover promises to be a poignant moment for fans of both artists, celebrating the enduring legacy of Shane MacGowan and the power of music to transcend loss.