Shane MacGowan and Sinéad O’Connor on songwriting, touring and mortality.
Shane MacGowan wrote the song ‘Haunted’ for the soundtrack to the 1986 film ‘Sid and Nancy’. The film focuses on the relationship between Sid Vicious, bassist with punk band the Sex Pistols and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen.
Originally performed by The Pogues, Sinéad O’Connor and Shane MacGowan recorded their version of the song in 1992 and it was released as a single in 1995.
Shane knew both Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen and while ‘Haunted’ is emotional and sad,
It’s happy in a way cos they’re reunited somewhere else.
Both singers have fears about their own mortality. Sinéad O’Connor finds herself worrying over,
What are we all doing here, how does the earth hang in space and what’s going to happen to me when I die, is it going to be slow and painful.
She does not think that Shane McGowan’s choice of lifestyle makes his life more difficult than it needs to be as everyone makes their own rules.
What’s difficult for you might not be difficult for Shane.
As song writers both have different approaches. Shane McGowan takes inspiration from anything, be it a memory of something that happened, or something he was told,
I like a few drinks and like I’ve had a good few ideas for songs in pubs.
Sinéad O’Connor often writes songs on plane journeys. Her songs are personal and songwriting is how she talks to herself and tries to find herself.
Shane still enjoys performing and is about to go on an American tour.
Its the most exciting thing you can do, play a good gig.
Sinéad is also about to tour, but it is less easy for her to do.
I’m a mother also so I’ve got to put a bit of time in there too.
This episode of ‘Kenny Live’ was broadcast on 22 April 1995. The presenter is Pat Kenny.