This is pop and rock. Not traditional music. Soundtracks to our lives, spread across several decades, but whose origins are constrained to just one wee country of 5 million souls.
Until a few bands came along and rocked the boat by singing with either a strong Scottish brogue, or delivered a clear trademark Scottish-esque sound, or adorned themselves in tartan (a dead giveaway), the Scottish music scene like most music around the world, was constrained to singing in trans-atlantic voices. Everyone sounded the same. Or at least their voices did. But the songs themselves put a trademark sound on each of these bands that catapulted them into international stardom.
As a bonus we've listed 3 bands whose music and/or antics made it pretty obvious where they hailed from.
Del Amitri
Nothing Ever Happens
Del Amitri is a Scottish alternative rock band, formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1983. The band grew out of Justin Currie's Jordanhill College School band. The band was formed with the original line-up of Currie (bass and vocals), Iain Harvie (lead guitar), Bryan Tolland (guitar) and Paul Tyagi (drums).
The Marmalade
Reflections Of My Life
The Marmalade is a Scottish pop rock band from the east end of Glasgow, originally formed in 1961 as The Gaylords, and then later billed as Dean Ford and the Gaylords. In 1966 they changed the band name to The Marmalade.
Average White Band
A Love Of Your Own
Average White Band are a Scottish funk and R&B band that had a series of soul and disco hits between 1974 and 1980. They are best known for their million-selling instrumental track "Pick Up the Pieces", and their albums AWB and Cut the Cake.
Franz Ferdinand
Take Me Out
Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish indie rock band, formed in 2002 and based in Glasgow. The band's original lineup was composed of Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, Bob Hardy, and Paul Thomson.
Nazareth
Love Hurts
Nazareth are a Scottish hard rock band formed in 1968, that had several hits in the United Kingdom, as well as in several other West European countries in the early 1970s, and established an international audience with their 1975 album Hair of the Dog, which featured their hits "Hair of the Dog" and a cover of the ballad "Love Hurts".
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Delilah
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band was one of the most unconventional bands that were part of the 1970s glam rock era. Fronted by Alex Harvey accompanied by Zal Cleminson on guitar, bassist Chris Glen, keyboard player Hugh McKenna and drummer Ted McKenna their music veered from progressive rock to experimental jazz.
Wet Wet Wet
Love Is All Around
Wet Wet Wet are a Scottish band formed in 1982. They scored a number of hits in the UK charts and around the world in the 1980s and 1990s. The band is composed of Graeme Clark, Tommy Cunningham, and Neil Mitchell.
Simple Minds
Don't You (Forget About Me)
Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band. They formed in Glasgow in 1977 and became the most commercially successful Scottish band of the 1980s.
Texas
Say What You Want
Texas are a Scottish pop rock band from Glasgow. They were founded in 1986 by Johnny McElhone and Sharleen Spiteri on lead vocals. Texas made their performing debut in March 1988 at the University of Dundee.
Travis
Why Does It Always Rain On Me?
Travis are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1990, composed of Fran Healy, Dougie Payne, Andy Dunlop and Neil Primrose. The band's name comes from the Harry Dean Stanton character Travis Henderson from the film Paris, Texas.
Bonus Bands
Big Country
In A Big Country
Big Country are a Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife, in 1981. The height of the band's popularity was in the early to mid 1980s, although it retained a cult following for many years after.
Bay City Rollers
Bye Bye Baby 1975
The Bay City Rollers are a Scottish pop band whose popularity peaked in the mid 1970s. The British Hit Singles & Albums noted they were "tartan teen sensations from Edinburgh", and were "the first of many acts heralded as the 'biggest group since the Beatles' and one of the most screamed-at teeny-bopper acts of the 1970s".
The Proclaimers
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
The Proclaimers are a Scottish duo composed of the identical twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reid (born 5 March 1962). They are best known for their songs "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)", "Sunshine on Leith", "I'm On My Way" and "Letter from America", and their singing style with a Scottish accent. The band tours extensively throughout the world. They have released ten studio albums since 1987 as well as three compilation albums and a DVD.
