Powerful, ethereal, and unflinchingly honest, ‘Haunted’, originally penned for the Sid and Nancy soundtrack, the 1995 duet featuring Sinéad O’Connor transformed a ballad into a hauntingly beautiful anthem of eternal devotion. Following the passing of both artists in 2023, the song has become a story of friendship and artistic kinship.
“There are people you meet in life who carry something timeless in them — a kind of knowing. Imelda is one of those people. Making music with her has been one of my greatest joys.
Collaborating on ‘Haunted’ felt like more than just recording a song — it felt like honouring Shane and Sinéad, and everything they stood for. Two people who told the truth when the rest of us were still working up the courage. Shane was one of the greatest poets of his generation. His words have a way of cutting right through you — they did to us, and I think that’s exactly what you hear in the song.
And Sinéad, there was simply nobody like her. That voice, her courage, the refusal to be anything less than completely herself. You only experience talent like that once in a lifetime, if you’re lucky. Losing them both felt like the world losing two of its most necessary voices. This song found us both, I think, at exactly the right moment. I’m so happy it’s going out into the world. I hope it finds whoever needs it.” – Johnny Depp
Following the global momentum sparked by Bruce Springsteen’s lead single ‘A Rainy Night in Soho’, Johnny Depp and Imelda May’s version of ‘Haunted’ delivers a raw, cinematic interpretation, further cementing the album’s mission to celebrate MacGowan’s songwriting.
“It’s such an honour to pay tribute to my beloved friends Shane MacGowan and Sinéad O’Connor soon after losing both precious souls in such a short space of time by singing Shane’s beautiful song ‘Haunted’ on this special album with my dear and incredibly talented friend Johnny Depp.
We recorded this duet before we knew of this tribute album as we were (and often are) overcome by the absolute brilliance of Shane’s writing. He was a truly gifted poet, romantic treasure and literary genius who always wrote with such fine detail and purest truth that resonates deeply with every listen. The dynamics of Shane and Sinéad’s voices dance like a dream around each other and the chemistry of their performance is everything…sweet, strong, sensual, honest, ridiculously cool and vibey as hell.
I always love singing with and being around Johnny. He has a radiance that shines from him, we sometimes call it magic but it’s a true connection to something way deeper which he gives his whole heart and life to. I thank my lucky stars our eternally missed brother Jeff Beck brought our friendship together and thankful we could honour both Shane and Sinéad on this recording. Performing ‘Haunted’ with Johnny for both of our forever missed friends is filled with huge love, utmost respect and means so very, very much.
Thanks so much to Sinead’s producer and right hand man John Reynolds for recording my vocals using Sinead’s microphone.
’20th Century Paddy’
The album title, ‘20th Century Paddy – The Songs Of Shane MacGowan’, was a concept Shane MacGowan had long envisioned for himself. Now brought to life by his wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, and Rubyworks, the project serves as a sonic love letter from a diverse collective of legends and disruptors.
Impact Beyond the Music
In keeping with Shane’s lifelong empathy, 50% of artist royalties from the album will be donated to the Dublin Simon Community. These funds support lifesaving housing, healthcare, and development programs for people experiencing homelessness, a cause Shane championed until his final performance at the 2021 Christmas Eve Busk.
The Growing Lineup
The Johnny Depp and Imelda May collaboration is part of a massive roster of contributors for the full album release, including Bruce Springsteen, Hozier, Jessie Buckley, Tom Waits, The Libertines, The Murder Capital, Primal Scream, Lisa O’Neill, The Pogues and many more
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