U2 Crushes Pogues Favorite Yeah Yeah
The echoes of the past continue to resonate in modern music, as U2 keeps the legacy of the late Shane MacGowan vibrant with a new recording of his iconic 1988 track, “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.” Released recently by Rubyworks, this driving, arena-sized interpretation serves as a powerful statement amid the ongoing tribute work honoring the songwriter.
This musical offering is a standout from the forthcoming tribute album, 20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan, set for release in November. The project beautifully extends the deep connection between U2 and MacGowan, reflecting a shared Irish heritage and a mutual appreciation for complex, contradictory artistic voices.
The tribute is more than just a collection of songs; it’s an exploration of the myth built around MacGowan. The legacy is palpable, especially given the public expressions of respect, such as U2’s acoustic performance of the Pogues’ “A Rainy Day in Soho” in honor of MacGowan following his passing.
The core of the appeal lies in MacGowan’s unique ability to embody contradiction. As guitarist The Edge described his mentor, he noted that MacGowan was an artist “full of contradictions—and that’s where the truth of him lived.” He suggested that MacGowan possessed the ability to be precise about what mattered while being gloriously careless about everything else, noting that “a mask tells us more than a face.”
This tension was woven into MacGowan’s artistry, which drew power from a fascinating blend of folk tradition, political memory, gallows humor, and romance. Rather than hiding these elements, he used them as signals, pulling together threads from the pub storyteller to the punk stage. By dissolving himself into these diverse influences, he created an unforgettable voice that felt both ancient and entirely contemporary.
The result is a sound that seems inevitable—songs that feel like they have always existed. MacGowan managed to create a mythic figure by fusing these disparate elements, revealing exactly what he cared about, even as the finer details of his life remain somewhat obscured.
The forthcoming tribute album, 20th Century Paddy, promises a rich tapestry of musical contributions. It features legendary artists alongside names like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Hozier, Jessie Buckley, Johnny Depp, and Imelda May, alongside MacGowan’s former Pogues bandmates and other musical luminaries. This collaboration solidifies the idea that MacGowan’s voice created a story that spans generations.
In a meaningful gesture that underscores the human element behind the music, half of the artist royalties from the tribute album will be donated to the Dublin Simon Community, providing essential housing and medical care for people experiencing homelessness. It is a powerful reminder that art can serve a profound social purpose.
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