20th Century Paddy: A Tribute Album to the Songs of Shane MacGowan
Shane MacGowan’s songbook gets a 36-track triple album tribute titled 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan, arriving on Friday, November 13, via Rubyworks.
Before his death in 2023, MacGowan spoke about wanting to write an entire album with the word “Paddy” in every song title. Overseen by his widow Victoria Mary Clarke and Siobhan, the new release draws on artists from across generations to interpret his work.
“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,” Bruce Springsteen said on the announcement of the album, according to the Irish Examiner. Springsteen contributed a rendition of “A Rainy Night in Soho.”
The project acts as a sonic love letter driven by Clarke in partnership with an independent label, helping her stay on an even keel after MacGowan’s death. Working on the undertaking gave her something concrete to do and a reason to get up in the mornings, she told the Irish Examiner.
An official Dublin launch for the album took place at Whelan’s on November 9, 2026, featuring panel discussions and live performances, as Hotpress reported. Siobhan MacGowan recalled a Tipperary Christmas from 1987 before Camille O’Sullivan and Mundy led a rendition of “Fairytale of New York.”
The collection spans diverse contributions, including Hozier and Jessie Buckley tackling “Fairytale of New York” in the exact vocal booth at London’s RAK’s Studio 1 where MacGowan and Kirsty McColl recorded nearly 40 years prior, as RTÉ reported. Other tracks feature Tom Waits turning “Summer in Siam” into a twilight lullaby, Steve Earle on “If I Should Fall From Grace With God,” and The Pogues themselves delivering a version of “Gabrielle.”
At least 50% of the artist royalties from the release will be donated to the Dublin Simon Community, supporting a demographic close to MacGowan’s heart. The album is out on Friday, November 13.
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