If you would like to view the whole conversation with Nick Cave and Sean O'Hagan visit Intelligence Squared Plus [dot com] or download the Intelligence Squared+ app.

“We watched our friends grow up together, and we watched them as they fell, some of them fell into heaven, some of them fell into hell”. That line always brought a lump to my throat

A friend saw Shane shambling down the street in Toronto and called out to him - 'have any extra tickets for your show tonight?!' - and to his amazement Shane stopped and lurchingly produced two free tickets before stumbling off. Sorry to lose one of the good guys. RIP Shane.

To have Nick Cave call you "The song writer of his generation" is monumental. Shane, in all his works, eclipses the troubles he endured. He was a diamond, now cast into the night sky to shine forever.

Shane knew suffering deep in his bones and that’s why he was the way he was. Beautiful and broken all at the same time , broken like so many of us but he held onto that light and gave it to all of us.

The craic of watching Shane and the lads play the Mean Fiddler at 2 PM on a Sunday afternoon, the utter and uniquely Irish chaotic alchemy of music, drink, sweat and afterwards coming out the door exhausted to find the sun shining and it’s only 5PM. Yet this is to stereotype Shane, a beautiful wordsmith, a terrific artist and a wonderful human being. May he rest in peace. Oh and full respect to Nick Cave for always being true…

Shanes one of the few ones whose stories you hear that never embellished. Hes the real deal.

Nick Cave is also a truly great song writer - his love for Shane is pure and straight from the heart.

When you saw the Pogues playing a sold out gig in Germany to a crowd of predominantly British soldiers, many of whom just having a break from service in Northern Ireland during the troubles, you can honestly say that Shane & the band did a lot to pave the road to overcome. The unversial approach to take side with the powerless and the ease to colourfully resemble them in lyrics is just a true gift we can only forever be gratelful for. Thank you for the music, the love of the common people and the punk attitude, Shane.

If Nick Cave were to call you the songwriter of your generation, that would be the highest praise one could not even expect in a lifetime.

I was in the bar i work at the night before Shane passed away and i got talking to a bloke about christmas and the horror of it and we both agreed that The Pogues made christmas just about bearable, my colleague then played Fairytale… and we sang along to it. The next day i woke up to read that dear old Shane passed away. This year has been a year to remember first with the passing of my dear mum and now with the passing of Shane, even the best Christmas song ever can’t make this time of the year go by quickly enough. RIP Shane. ❤

I had a Wimpey in Kings Cross near that time. I didn't meet Shane then, sadly. I did meet him at our band's first single release gig, and he said that we were shite. Thanks Shane!

i found him only three years ago oddly got me through my alcohol addiction i was in the hospital and his music made me want to get better and stop. Really just a huge loss for the world i think he will be known more in the years to come then he was. Bit of a martyr for music beautiful complex man he will be missed although we have his beautiful writings to keep us thinking. I sure will never do heroin crack or alcohol again but his music brings me back to it in a good way oddly. Rest easy modern day poet and we need his directness and kindness more then ever with this bs society we have now.

He was a poet, up there with Dylan & Cohen

fond memories of shane - lucky enough to hang out with him in bars before the gigs they played just around the time red roses for me was released. very generous, very funny, incredibly friendly - always put us on the guest list. when we were refused entry at birmingham powerhouse, shane threatened to go and play in the street. the guys at the door soon let us in :) and, of course, a phenomenally talented songwriter. the kindness nick cave and sean o'hagan talks about are reflected in the songs - a beautiful bitter anger at injustice, and an awareness of the enormous power of friendship and love through it all - happy christmas, your arse :)

One of the greats! Human beings that is. He never got above himself, kept a heart full of love and compassion, lived his life to the fullest, and left a legacy of songs that will be sung forever! RIP Shane.

Sometimes a soul blazes into our world and illuminates many who see its shining wonder and beauty. And though that soul does go away, they still leave their light.

Like a ship without a sail. A Whirlwind. From the deepest ocean to the highest peak Through the frontiers of your sleep Into the valley where we dare not speak.

Beautiful stories guys beautiful words thank you Nick and Sean and thank you Shane MacGowan!!

When Nick cave says you're a great songwriter you must be good. RIP Shane

Good ol' Nick. Was hoping to hear his words on Shane. Such a sad day.

Saw Nick Cave live. Fantastic. The "big wad of cash for people who need it" story about Shane MacGowan makes sense. It was the type of soul he was.

I had a friend just like that; on the surface very caustic and some people just didn't like him because of it, but that part of him was very superficial, if you just looked beyond that for a second you would see the kindest person there was; a gentle, artistic soul who valued people above all things and did all he could to help others, yet he couldn't give himself that same kindness and struggled with addiction his whole life which very sadly was cut short just like Shane. RIP.

Beautiful tribute, love the music of the Pouges but didn't know anything about Shane, it makes my heart soften to know he was kind. RIP.

Shane was a genius on so many levels. May he rest in peace eternally. ❤

It’s grand to hear you share, Mr. Cave. In spite of the rotten day, your thoughts are meaningful, especially when folks look to those that knew him on a personal level to perhaps lend a bit of wisdom on a treacherous topic. Even More-so, to provide a bit of comfort, and even delight, as we’re reminded that for a time- we shared this planet with Shane MacGowan, and other wonderful movers and shakers that really reached out to us in the darkness. Thank you

I will always respect and admire the way Shane always wore his heart on his sleeve....he was an honest human being for all his flaws, which we all have many dont we?, he lived his life to the full and left a legacy which in my book is all that he could have wished for, RIP Shane ☘️🇮🇪✝️🇬🇧🍻🥃🍷

Thanks for that. Touching.

There is a great film documentary about Shane on BBC iPlayer made around 4 years ago, it is over 2 hours long but I enjoyed every second.

Dear nick cave. I wish we had more intelligent rogues of poetry and drama like you in this dark, dystopian world and shane also. I am kind to normal people like you both it has to be grounded and natural to keep our roots together

Well said Nick. You are a fantastic human being too, as well as being another creative iconoclast.

His music will always remind us of this great man, a great Irish representative and wonderful human being. The fairytale is forever.

wow! I never knew this about shane what a kind hearted man. The irish are a special bunch i wonder sometimes if there is this inter generational trauma from events like the famine which comes this amazing compassion for others.

“He would carry around a big roll of cash that he would just give to people.” Last Words about Shane McG.

Thanks nick we are devastated in Ireland saw him live in Harlesden in 89 Thanks for so much brilliant enjoyment he gave to everyone may he fly with the angels and he will be up with the best

There was a decency, spirituality and authenticity about Shane. He lived his music. There was no preaching, no politics. I hope he is at peace now. For a man from the London / Tipp border he done well.

Great songwriters .

Nick you are also an utter legend an unreal force in music and life. A freight train of genious music and lyrics spanning a lifetime of raucious punk to absolute beauty. To inspire endlessly . Australias gift to the world. Thank You . RIP shane

Shane represented something unique in a lot of Irish people who have retained their own personality rough and ready as it is. At his core Shane had HEART. I know because I am Irish and I recognise heart when I see it.

Thanks Nick, you and Shane.. Youre give us best performans as artis can be bringes... 🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷👍

Met shane mc gowan in Dublin 30odd years ago bought friends and i 2 drink s and wanted to party.i was struck by his kindness.very sad to see his passing.😢

I actually think they are understating his songwriting and singing for that matter. The way he captured nostalgia, and the way he made you feel something and engage with that darker side of yourself Was cosmically astounding. He could package multiple seemingly opposite emotions into one song and even one line. Joy and sadness, love and loss, all wrapped up together. I don’t know any other artists who could do that.

perfect - a humanist with a caustic and necessary view of the world

We are a couple of friends in his age here in Hamburg,and today we gonna meet us and have a lot off beer and crying 😔 And we think the neighbors will call the police because the music is to loud But now it’s winter in Hamburg 🥲

Of course, we knew he was not well. But Shane's passing is still hard. Truly tough. My love to his family. We love you forever, Shane.🙏🌹

RIP young man gone but not forgotten.

RIP shane and kirsty who had the best christmas song ever

shane was a lovely man. he will be missed.

"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars".

I have seen more outpouring over Shane than anyone else who has passed lately. It is truly amazing.

He was pretty well known for giving money out of his pocket to people living on the street. He cared about his fellow man.

What an artist nick cave!!!

I've never heard Nick Cave speak. I would never have thought he sounded like that

Yeah another one of my musical heroes gone 😢. Terry Hall ,Andy Rourke ,Sinead ... Im a little ashamed to admit, that as a kid growing up (in a council maisonette flat ) in Brum Not ashamed of that btw ! ,but my Irish hard working parent's,playing their irish tunes on a Sunday morning ,id be a bit embarrassed , as we were the only Irish family in that block of flats & it was the 70's, when being Irish really wasn't cool or comfortable at times . However, Shane & the Pogues changed all of that for me in the 80's with the Irish Rover & was forever being played in my local pub I was smitten ! ,and so began my love & appreciation of Irish music & a renewed interest in my Irish culture . It reached out to my generation of i suppose...Plastic Paddies . Their punked up version of amazing lyrics telling the stories of the Irish experience . I saw them at St Andrews-Bham City ground way back in 89 -what a day !.

Shane can never die. Like Billy the Kid he rides forever....

Wonderful tribute. Now I've got to cry.

I wasn't a Pogues fan, but latterly got his genius. He, Nick Cave, Lemmy........

Thank you ❤

He was one good man. Love. RIP

Today I learned.... RIP Shane, and I'm glad Nick told me.

Lloro a Shane desde la Patagonia😢

Thank vou for all the joy and tears accompany me through my life RIP Shane

A last note on Shane Mcgowan he was a true poet his wit agile & engaging he was a charming fun in5eresting in conversation generous to a fault I had no idea abt.him carrying around money to homeless but it does not surprise me in the least .when I meet shane another time again he made me smile I him ,he was totally unassuming never so irish ai found him beguiling at odds with fame and all the shane mcgowen stories a real human being .humble too

I just learned of this. I've been a Pouges fan for over 30 years. Farewell genius 😢.

I really enjoyed the duo cover of "what a wonderful world"❤️

Thank you Nick

Goodnight Shane thanks for the music the world has lost another great R I P

I saw the Pogues at Pukkelpop in the early 90s, one of the best performances I have ever seen.

More alive now than he ever was, as tribute and eulogy roll headlong to revive him, the wake of Shane MacGowan shall proceed with great alacrity until we all fall asleep, or the crack of doom!

He wouldn't remember but I've bumped into Nick a few times over the years. Really decent bloke. My condolences to the MacGowans. RIP Shane.

Thanks nick & seán , Shane a wonderful son of Ireland

Well Said Nick....A Sheep in Wolf's clothing as they used to say here in Ireland. Only ever seen Shean in Person one time...at a Funeral in Sutton,North Dublin back in the early Naughty's...I shouted Hello to him and He actually Saluted me...A true Gentle Man🥲 Deepest Condolance's and Sympathy to His Widow,Family and Freind's😥🙏

R.I.P. TO A MASTER I bow down pour a sip into the ground what a sound you made mate we shall never again see another great poet Brother Shane Sláinte 🍻 I loved your laugh

I fucking love Shane's music. Truly heart wrenching and joyous stuff, forever missed. It was a real sad day that hit hard when he passed, a great loss.

McGowan was and still is a criminally underrated song writer, the amount of lists of song writers that omit him for admittedly decent writers but who are no where near him is mind blowing.

Always loved you mr. Cave❤ Shane was the brother we all wanted😢😢

RIP Shane, thank you for your incredible music ❤

Thank uou,Nick Cave, for this lovely tribute to one of our greates songwriters and wingers. He was magnificient1

25/12 every year was a time for me to celebrate the life of Shane. Sadly now 30/11 St Andrews day will be a day of sadness (kinda) but still .... very much dates in my head ❤

Very well put Nick Stay Blessed And REST IN PEACE SHAIN THANKS FOR THE MARVELLOUS MEMORYS 🙏☕️☕️✌🏼💛🤜🤛

love ya Shane!

Nick Cave always gives good interviews.

He's gotta be the tin whistle player from Fairytale of New York. (Long Island, New York)

Shane was a true success.

Thanks both

Nick, you're a legend ❤ thank you, hugs from Ireland 🇮🇪

We watched our friend shane mc gowan kind honest to ordinary people homeless it did not matter shane mc gowan loved everyone .hated rich people .politicians and flying. I went to neenagh co tipperary to shane funeral ..nick cave of pogues protected shane great respect for him the pogues shane is dancing in heaven with kirsty mc call. Sinead o connor singing ..I miss shane so much in match 2024 in north Ireland 🇮🇪 it's raw ..we keep ur memory alive shane sinead. Nick we love u then .we love u now ur a great artist . Keep grounded as shane was

Shane you're a Legend! 🇮🇪🍀

May he rest in peace.... In the arms of an angel ❤️🙏

Thought that was Bobby the barman from Still Game.

As with a lot of the great songwriters, there's always going to be a sense of 'what might have been?' had he been able to manage fame in a less destructive manner. However, in my opinion, those first three Pogues albums stand as a canon of work up there with anyone you may care to mention. Anyone.

Thanks for sharing this story. It says so much

When the greatest songwriter of all time praises the writing of another great ...so powerful

Shane lived it.. ❤

The best Shane MacGowan

He had that beautiful face and exactly ' him' til the end. I love him x

The King of punk has left this world😭 .. Cheers my god🙏🏻🤘🏻!!!

Thanks for sharing 😊

I would love to be in the great bar in Heaven when Shane arrives 😢

I'd have a look at the syntax of the description - Sean O'Hagan is very much still with us!