Watch Johnny Depp join Shane MacGowan to sing ‘That Woman’s Got Me Drinking’ in 1994
Johnny Depp shared a commonality with the late singer-songwriter Shane MacGowan. The pair of devoted music enthusiasts attributed a considerable role to alcohol as a source of comfort and inspiration in their lives. MacGowan humorously addressed his dependence on the substance in interviews throughout his life, while Depp is actively involved in a supergroup that originated as a club for drinkers on Sunset Boulevard.
Therefore, it is no surprise that the two crossed paths. In fact, when Depp first met MacGowan, he recalled falling “in love with him the second I met him”. The pair enjoyed a relationship that dates back over three decades, and Depp even produced Crock of Gold – A Few Rounds, which involved MacGowan and was directed by Julien Temple.
“When I met Shane, he was negotiating a pool table,” Depp recalled at the San Sebastian Film Festival for the documentary’s premiere. “There was a drink in this hand, a pint, and in this hand there was a guitar,” he said. “And he was teetering, balancing back and forth trying to negotiate which way to fall. I watched him do that for about 15 minutes.”
He continued: “Then I was introduced to him, before he fell, and from that moment on you just knew… there are moments in life when you know this will happen one time and one time only, when you get the opportunity to spend time with greatness.”
Depp has only ever expressed the utmost praise for the late singer, adding: “I can only say I fell in love with him the second I met him and I’m still in love with him to this day. His wife Victoria is a wonderful partner for Shane, they’re best friends, and I’ve seen that continue over these many years under all kinds of duress.”
In 1994, MacGowan and The Popes performed their hit song ‘That Woman’s Got Me Drinking’ on Top Of The Pops, along with Depp on guitar. The song sits on MacGowan’s first solo album with The Popes as his backing band and was released the same year as the performance with Depp featuring on the song as an official guest.
In 1995, an extended version of the album was launched, featuring a modified track sequence and incorporating three extra songs: the traditional tunes ‘Nancy Whiskey’ and ‘Roddy McCorley’, initially released as B-sides in the preceding year, along with a collaboration with Sinéad O’Connor–a fresh rendition of the Pogues’ track ‘Haunted’.
Check out the full 1994 performance of ‘That Woman’s Got Me Drinking’ below.
