Tom Waits covers Pogues song for Shane MacGowan tribute album
The 36-song collection is out on Rubyworks, with contributions from U2, Bruce Springsteen and the Libertines.
Tom Waits has contributed a newly recorded version of the Pogues’ “Summer In Siam” to a tribute to the band’s frontman, Shane MacGowan. The 36-song album, 20th Century Paddy - Songs Of Shane MacGowan, is now available through Rubyworks.
The song Waits chose appeared on the Pogues’ 1990 album Hell’s Ditch. His recording joins performances by Primal Scream, the Jesus And Mary Chain, Glen Hansard, the Libertines, the Murder Capital and Madra Salach.
Two contributions had been shared ahead of the full collection: U2’s take on “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” and Bruce Springsteen’s rendition of “A Rainy Night In Soho.”
Waits has also collaborated with Massive Attack on the protest song “Boots On The Ground.” His other projects in 2026 include roles in Wild Horse Nine, directed by Martin McDonagh; Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn; and Travis Knight’s animated adaptation of Colin Meloy’s Wildwood.
