THERE WAS PLENTY OF TALENT TO BE FOUND NORTH OF THE BORDER IN THE 80S, AS THIS RUNDOWN OF CLASSIC SCOTTISH SINGLES CONFIRMS
BARRY PAGE
I n the 1970s, Scotland’s economy and morale were hugely hit by deindustrialisation, resulting in the closure of several coal mines, factories and shipyards. But against a bleak fiscal backdrop of proliferating strike action and rising unemployment, the country’s music industry thrived, with the internationally-successful Bay City Rollers the chief flyers of the Saltire.
Music certainly provided a welcome outlet for Scotland’s disaffected youth and a number of talented artists emerged during the punk rock boom of 1976, all encouraged by the fleeting subculture’s DIY ethos. And, as our countdown reveals, a plethora of acts left a lasting impression in the ensuing decade.
20 WET WET WET SWEET LITTLE MYSTERY
(1987) Following their transition from punks to blue-eyed soul boys, Wet Wet Wet signed a major label deal in 1985, though retained some indie cred via their Scritti Politti-sourced moniker. Heavily influenced by Motown, Philly soul and Stax Records, the band headed to Memphis to record with Al Green collaborator and producer Willie Mitchell, and the sessions spawned an early version of this sprightly hit single. However, wearing their influences firmly on their sleeves came at a cost, as the Wets were legally obliged to give Van Morrison and John Martyn co-writing credits.
19 COCTEAU TWINS PEARLY-DEWDROPS’ DROPS
(1984) Named after one of Simple Minds’ early songs, Cocteau Twins formed in 1979, and soon joined legendary post-punk label 4AD’s roster. One of the earliest exponents of the dream pop subgenre, the key to their sound was guitarist Robin Guthrie, whose prioritisation of sonic texture over musical proficiency would earn him visionary status, as well as vocalist Elizabeth Fraser, whose otherworldly lyrics were often gleaned from foreign literature. Arguably their most accessible track, Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops rode an ethereal wave into the UK Top 30, and almost topped John Peel’s Festive Fifty.
18 TEXAS I DON’T WANT A LOVER
(1989) Based around the songwriting partnership of singer Sharleen Spiteri and former Altered Images and Hipsway bassist Johnny McElhone, Texas formed in 1986 and later scored a worldwide hit with this blues-tinged classic. Explaining its lyrical inspiration in 2013, Spiteri told The Daily Telegraph: “I was obsessed with not just wanting physical love, I wanted mental love, I wanted my best
