Bruce Springsteen has presented a cover of 'A Rainy Night in Soho', announcing the album '20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan'. The project commemorating The Pogues' frontman features contributions from Johnny Depp, Hozier, and Tom Waits, among others.

New tribute album

The release '20th Century Paddy' collects interpretations of Shane MacGowan's songs performed by major music and film stars.

Springsteen promotes the project

Bruce Springsteen has released the single 'A Rainy Night in Soho', paying homage to the Irish poet and musician who died in 2023.

Impressive guest list

The album will feature, among others, Hozier, Jessie Buckley, Johnny Depp, Tom Waits, and Kate Moss.

Bruce Springsteen has released a cover of the song A Rainy Night in Soho, heralding an upcoming tribute album dedicated to the work of Shane MacGowan. The release, titled 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan, has gathered a constellation of international music and film stars paying homage to the late frontman of The Pogues. The album will feature, among others, Tom Waits, Kate Moss, and Johnny Depp, who recorded the song The Old Main Drag for the project. Irish artists have also confirmed their participation, including Hozier and actress-singer Jessie Buckley, who perform the song The Broad Majestic Shannon together. The Pogues remains one of the most important reference points for contemporary folk-rock music.

The interpretation of A Rainy Night in Soho presented by Bruce Springsteen provides an emotional preview of the entire release, which aims to celebrate the legacy of one of Ireland's greatest songwriters. The 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan project is described as an all-star tribute featuring artists representing different generations and musical genres. „Shane was one of my all-time favorite songwriters. His lyrics had this rare blend of brutal reality and deep romanticism” — Bruce Springsteen via Rolling Stone Although some media reports suggest a June release, the exact release date for the full material has not yet been officially confirmed by the publisher.

Shane MacGowan, the central figure to whom the album is dedicated, died in November 2023 at the age of 65, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy. Shane MacGowan was born on Christmas Day 1957 and became a music icon through his role in The Pogues, where he blended Irish identity with the London punk scene. His most famous song, Fairytale of New York, regularly returns to the charts as one of the most popular Christmas songs in the UK and Ireland. The artist struggled with health problems for years, and his funeral in Dublin in December 2023 became a major national event attended by thousands of fans and cultural figures. The new album is intended not only as a reminder of his compositions but also as proof of MacGowan's enduring influence on global popular culture.

Creation of the tribute album: 30 November 2023 — Artist's death; 12 March 2026 — Album announcement; 12 March 2026 — Single premiere

Selected artists on the album 20th Century Paddy: 1. Bruce Springsteen (A Rainy Night in Soho); 2. Johnny Depp (The Old Main Drag); 3. Hozier & Jessie Buckley (The Broad Majestic Shannon); 4. Tom Waits (participation confirmed); 5. Kate Moss (participation confirmed)

Mentioned People

  • Shane MacGowan — British-Irish singer, songwriter, musician, and poet; frontman of the band The Pogues.
  • Bruce Springsteen — American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, known as 'The Boss'.
  • Jessie Buckley — Irish actress and singer, winner of a BAFTA Award and an Olivier Award.
  • Hozier — Irish singer and musician, performer of the hit 'Take Me to Church'.
  • Tom Waits — American singer, songwriter, composer, and actor with a distinctive, gravelly voice.
  • Johnny Depp — American actor and musician, a close friend of Shane MacGowan.
  • Kate Moss — British supermodel and fashion icon participating in the project.