U2 have shared a cover of The Pogues’ ‘Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’, which they recorded for an upcoming Shane MacGowan tribute album. The project, which honors the late frontman of The Pogues, is scheduled for release on November 13 and features an array of legendary artists including Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Depp, The Libertines, Tom Waits, and Primal Scream.
Bono and Shane MacGowan. CREDIT: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Titled ‘20th Century Paddy – The Songs Of Shane MacGowan’, the collection compiles songs that the late musician personally wished to record. In addition to a digital release, the tribute will be available as a limited edition physical set, featuring 3LPs, 2CDs, and a 56-page book of memorabilia and liner notes.
Reflecting on the legacy of MacGowan, The Edge shared a poignant statement: “Shane MacGowan was full of contradictions — and that’s where the truth of him lived. He could be precise about what mattered and gloriously careless about everything else. If that sounds like a kind of performance, maybe it was. But as Oscar Wilde put it, ‘a mask tells us more than a face.’”
The Edge continued, noting that MacGowan’s persona was a deliberate signal of his artistic lineage. “The crooked grin, the wildness, the old-Ireland inflections — they weren’t disguises so much as signals. A way of placing himself in a lineage that ran from the pub storyteller to the punk stage. Somewhere between John B. Keane and The Clash, he found a voice that felt both ancient and completely of its time.”
The tribute album also includes contributions from Hozier, David Gray, The Jesus And Mary Chain, and The Murder Capital. Victoria Mary Clarke, MacGowan’s wife, expressed her gratitude for the project, stating that the family is humbled by the beautiful interpretations provided by these artists.
Half of all artist royalties from the album will be donated to the Dublin Simon Community to support their efforts in providing housing and healthcare for those experiencing homelessness.