Dropkick Murphys Share Fierce New Version of ‘The Body of an American’
By DROPKICK MURPHYS
Honour Shane Macgowan with Fierce New Version Of ‘The Body of an American’
Taken From Upcoming Tribute Album, ’20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane Macgowan’, Out November 13
Dropkick Murphys have released their powerful single, ‘The Body of an American‘ from the highly anticipated tribute album ‘20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan‘.
As the cultural descendants of the inspirations Shane MacGowan wrote about, the Boston born band delivers a powerful rendition of this Celtic punk classic. It represents a natural artistic handshake, drawing a direct correlation from Shane MacGowan’s London Irish streets to the docks of Quincy, Massachusetts.
Originally written by Shane MacGowan for The Pogues, ‘The Body of an American’ is a masterpiece of contradictions. As Rolling Stone noted: “one of the realest songs ever written about immigration, also one of the best funeral songs, also one of the best drinking songs. But it’s also the realest song about leaving home and laughing it off, when you know in your heart you’ll never return and you’ll never get over the true love you left behind and you’ll never truly have a home again”.
The song tackles the fundamental friction felt deeply by Irish Americans. Forced from their homeland, they found vastly better prospects in the United States, cementing a fierce pride in their adopted country while maintaining a longing for the one they left behind.
Dropkick Murphys’ version leans heavily into the song’s rich, coded history and traditional storytelling. The track balances the poetic longing for “Amerikay” with the fierce rallying cry of “Erin go” short for Éirinn go Brách (Ireland Forever).
For Dropkick Murphys, covering this specific track isn’t just a tribute.
“Dropkick Murphys are honored to be a part of this Shane tribute. Shane had a tremendous impact on the members of the band, individually and on the band as a whole. Shane’s lyrics had such a dark, sometimes twisted, street level reality to them that it was more punk than a lot of punk.
It’s so cool to participate in this amazing tribute album, alongside such a diverse lineup of musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Hozier, and so many more all inspired by Shane MacGowan. ‘The Body of an American’ is a Dropkick all time favorite and we’ve played it live throughout the years so to get to record it for this tribute was a dream come true”
Ken Casey
“20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan” brings together a powerhouse lineup of artists to celebrate the late icon’s unparalleled songwriting. Dropkick Murphys’ “The Body of an American” is available now on all major streaming platforms.
About Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys proudly remain Boston’s rock ‘n’ roll underdogs turned champions. Since 1996, the boys have created the kind of music that’s meant to be chanted at last call, in packed arenas, and during the fourth quarter, third period, or ninth inning of a comeback rally. Their celebrated discography includes four consecutive Billboard top 10 album debuts (Turn Up That Dial, 11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory, Signed and Sealed in Blood, Going Out In Style), along with 2005’s Certified-Gold album The Warrior’s Code featuring the double platinum classic “I’m Shipping Up To Boston.” Whether you caught a legendary gig at The Rathskeller (The Rat) under Kenmore Square, found the band by taking the T to Newbury Comics to cop Do Or Die in ’98, discovered them in Martin Scorsese’s Academy Award winning The Departed, or saw ‘em throw down at Coachella (or one of hundreds of other festivals), you’ve become a part of their extended family. Dropkick Murphys’ music has generated half-a-billion streams, they’ve quietly moved 8 million-plus units worldwide and the band has sold out gigs on multiple continents. Dropkick Murphys’ official charity, The Claddagh Fund, has raised millions of dollars to support non-profit organizations that are focused on children, veterans and addiction recovery. In 2020, the band was one of the first to embrace streaming performances, starting with their Streaming Up From Boston St. Patrick’s Day virtual performance. It was followed by their landmark Streaming Outta Fenway livestream, which drew more than 5.9 million viewers and held the #3 spot on Pollstar’s “Top 2020 Live Streams” chart. Dropkick Murphys St. Patrick’s Day Stream 2021…Still Locked Down, was #1 on Pollstar’s Livestream chart for the week ending March 22, 2021, logging over 1 million views. Dropkick Murphys returned in 2022 with their first-ever all-acoustic album, This Machine Still Kills Fascists (Dummy Luck Music / Play It Again Sam), and a seated theater tour. This Machine Still Kills Fascists–and their follow-up album Okemah Rising–breathe musical life into mostly unpublished lyrics by the legendary Woody Guthrie, curated for the band by Woody’s daughter Nora Guthrie. Dropkick Murphys’ current album ‘For The People’ rises to its moment: an expression of humanity at a time of relentless dehumanization, a promise of hope in an era fueled by fear-mongering, a declaration of solidarity in an age of disunion, a defiant rebuttal to the charlatans and demagogues who seek to divide us for their own power and profit.
’20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane Macgowan’
Tracklisting
Amble – The Snake With the Eyes of Garnet
Bob Geldof – St. John Of Gods
Bruce Springsteen – A Rainy Night in Soho
Camille O’Sullivan – You’re The One
Cronin – London You’re A Lady
Damien Dempsey – Sally MacLennane
David Gray – The Old Main Drag
David Keenan – The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn
Dropkick Murphys – The Body of an American
Garron Noone – White City
Glen Hansard – Bottle of Smoke
Hozier & Jessie Buckley – Fairytale of New York
Jimmy Artache – USA
Johnny Mac and The Faithful – Fiesta
Johnny Depp & Imelda May – Haunted
Kate Moss – Lonesome Highway
Kingfishr – The Sunnyside of the Street
Liam Ó Maonlaí – The Broad Majestic Shannon
Lisa Moorish & Another Day – Rain Street
Lisa O’Neill – Dark Streets of London
LYRA – Streets of Sorrow / Birmingham Six
Madra Salach – Turkish Song of the Damned
Moya Brennan – Mother Mo Chroi
Mundy – Victoria
Picture This – Aisling
Pinch of Snuff – Donegal Express
Primal Scream – A Pair of Brown Eyes
Steve Earle – If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The High Kings – Streams of Whiskey
The Jesus And Mary Chain – I’ll Be Your Handbag
The Libertines – Sayonara
The Murder Capital – The Song With No Name
The Pogues – Gabrielle
Tom Creagh – Paddy Public Enemy No. 1
Tom Waits – Summer In Siam
U2 – Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
A Legacy of Giving
In the spirit of Shane’s lifelong advocacy for those most in need, at least 50% of artist royalties from the album will be donated to the Dublin Simon Community. This partnership honors Shane’s long standing connection to the organisation and his commitment to supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Availability & Pre-Order
20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan arrives on all streaming platforms on November 13, 2026. The album will be available in 3 physical formats, headlined by a Limited Edition Deluxe Bookpack. This set includes 3 LPs, 2 CDs, and a 60 page book featuring rare memorabilia and liner notes.
Pre-order available now HERE