How Victoria Mary Clarke created the Shane MacGowan tribute album featuring Bruce Springsteen and more

Following the sad passing of The Pogues singer Shane McGowan back in 2023, his wife Victoria Mary Clarke has been curating a tribute album, due for release later this year.

The first song from the album to be released is 'A Rainy Night in Soho', sung by Bruce Springsteen. And Victoria joined Simon Mayo on St Patrick's Day 2026 (17th March), to talk about how the idea for the album came about, and how she got so many artists involved.

The album will feature a line-up of well-established artists, including Bruce Springsteen, The Pogues, Primal Scream, Kate Moss, Johnny Depp & Imelda May, David Gray, along with Hozier & Jessie Buckley and many more, with even more to be announced.

Creating '20th Century Paddy - The Songs of Shane MacGowan’

Speaking about the idea of the album, called '20th Century Paddy - The Songs of Shane MacGowan’, Victoria explained: "It was probably my idea and I think it slightly stemmed from the funeral. Because one of the things that kept happening after the funeral was that people would come up to me in the street and say, 'I love your husband's funeral. I rerun it. I repeat watch it.'

"And they particularly liked the music. And I suppose the music was world class, I mean, Nick Cave gave an incredible rendition of 'Rainy Night in Soho'. And we had Camille O'Sullivan and Liam O'Wainley and The Pogues. And it was just a really beautiful musical event."

Victoria continued: "And shortly afterwards, they had a concert at Carnegie Hall, a tribute concert, and David Gray was playing and Glenn Hansard. And so I just suggested to them, you know, if I was going to do a tribute album, would you guys play on it?

"And they said 'yes', and Bruce Springsteen... I texted him. I said: 'Would you play on it?' He said: 'Yes'. I thought, we've got the makings of something here. You know, got some pretty good musicians!"

Bruce Springsteen's involvement

Bruce Springsteen met Shane and Victoria shortly before Shane passed away, later saying: "Though I did not know Shane very well, I spent a lovely afternoon in his presence shortly before he passed. He was not well but he and his wife Victoria proved warm and gracious hosts. As I left, I thanked him for his beautiful work, his music, his songs, his life. I stood in his warmth, kissed him and told him I loved him."

Reflecting on that tender moment, Victoria told Simon: "Everything that Bruce wrote is very, like, it's really moving for us, just as his family, you know. Apart from being such an incredible tribute from someone that Shane had admired and worshipped since he was a kid. I guess Shane was one of his biggest fans as a child.

"And so to have that guy actually show up in your living room and tell you that he loves you, it's a bit like Elvis walking into your living room and telling you that he loves you."

Listen to the interview in full

Dublin Simon community

50% of artist royalties will be donated to Dublin Simon Community, and as Victoria explained it's a charity close to hers and Shane's heart.

"The Dublin Simon community are a long-established charity working with homelessness," Victoria said. "And they've been working with Glenn Hansard and Bono for more than 10 years. Bono and Glenn Hansard every year do a thing called the Busk On The Street, in Dublin where they play. They busk and raise money for the Simon Community.

"So Shane used to take part in that. He used to perform at that and that was the last live performance he ever did, in aid of the Simon Community. So it felt a very appropriate charity."

What is the album called?

The album is called '20th Century Paddy - The Songs of Shane MacGowan'.

What is the tracklist?

The tracklist has not yet been announced, although it will include Bruce Springsteen's version of 'A Rainy Night in Soho'. When asked about what song Oscar-winning Jessie Buckley would be singing, Victoria told Simon: "She sings. I'm not allowed to tell you what she sings, but she's a really good singer, isn't she?"

Who is involved with the album?

There's a star-studded list of artists involved with the album, see who has been announced so far below.

• Amble
• Bruce Springsteen
• Camille O’Sullivan
• Cronin
• Damien Dempsey
• David Gray
• Dropkick Murphys
• Garron Noone
• Glen Hansard
• Hozier & Jessie Buckley
• Johnny Depp & Imelda May
• Johnny Mac and The Faithful
• Kate Moss
• Liam Ó Maonlaí
• Lisa Moorish & Another Day
• Lisa O'Neill
• LYRA
• Madra Salach
• Moya Brennan
• Mundy
• Picture This
• Pinch of Snuff
• Primal Scream
• Steve Earle
• The High Kings
• The Jesus and Mary Chain
• The Libertines
• The Murder Capital
• The Pogues
• Tom Waits

When will it be released?

It will be released on 13th November 2026.

How to buy it

Once it has been released, the album will be available to buy on 2CD, 3LP and Deluxe Bookpack. It is available to pre-order now.

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