Scots favourite song

Subject: Scots favourite song (pop).
From: GUEST,johnmc
Date: 03 Dec 20 - 11:16 AM

I understand "Dignity" by Deacon Blue has been voted number one. I think lyrically, if perhaps not melodically, it is in the spirit of the folk tradition. It has seen off some strong competition, some nearer to folk songs, like The Proclaimers "500 Miles"
All very subjective, of course.

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: gillymor
Date: 03 Dec 20 - 11:40 AM

If I had a vote it would be "In a Big Country" but then I'm not aware of too many Scottish pop songs. (I prefer the cover by moe. to Big Country's original recording)

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: GUEST,johnmc
Date: 03 Dec 20 - 11:48 AM

Ah, indeed- definite bag pipes feel to that.

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: gillymor
Date: 03 Dec 20 - 11:54 AM

moe. imitates the pipes with electric guitars, works pretty well.

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 03 Dec 20 - 02:37 PM

Thought the all time most popular Scottish song was 'Flower of Scotland' They now use it instead of the National Anthem at sports etc.

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: GUEST,johnmc
Date: 03 Dec 20 - 02:53 PM

I think it was restricted to pop songs; however, "Dignity" is about a road sweeper with a dream
he keeps secret and to me it's lyrically in the tradition of the " a man's a man" folk song.
   Actually, "Flower of Scotland" has its critics but remains our "anthem", it's true.

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: Allan Conn
Date: 04 Dec 20 - 04:02 AM

It was just a bit fun and was a public poll on a list of pop songs from mostly the 80s with a few before and after. The original list was compiled and then whittled down to ten by celebs like Jacki Bird and Clare Grogan. The original list included the likes of "Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads and "Back In Black" by AC/DC so you've got to say to yourself "WHAT???". Great songs and yes folk were born in Scotland who were involved with these songs but hardly Scottish songs - and hardly among the most popular songs in Scotland.

So the final list you could choose from was

Sunshine On Leith - The Proclaimers
In A Big Country - Big Country
Somewhere In My Heart - Aztec Camera
Dignity - Deacon Blue
Loaded - Primal Scream
Whole Of The Moon - The Waterboys
Tinsel Town In The Rain - The Blue Nile
Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
This Is My Life - Amy McDonald
Black Eyed Boy - Texas

So hardly indicitive of the 10 favourite Scottish songs in Scotland. Just a selection of well knwon pop songs to pick from. Though some of them are very popular indeed. My fave from that list would be "Whole Of The Moon" but like I said I love "Dignity" too and both were included on Karine Polwart's recent covers of Scottish songs album so I think the latter maybe got a bit of a wee leg up with that too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4iETQibBZQ

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: GUEST,RA
Date: 04 Dec 20 - 04:33 AM

GUEST,johnmc " Actually, "Flower of Scotland" has its critics but remains our "anthem", it's true."

Sorry pal - with all due respect, it's no' my anthem. I'll tak "The Freedom Come A' Ye".

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: GUEST,johnmc
Date: 04 Dec 20 - 05:50 AM

The list has to be taken lightly, I agree. It would be interesting to identify great songs not included, especially folk songs, perhaps. "The Freedom Come A' Ye" would be up there
(though, as regards anthems, shifting "Flower of Scotland" from the "terraces" would take some doing, especially given the ease with which it can be sung).
    Frankie Miller's version of "Caledonia" might cover both pop and folk camps.
Gerry Rafferty started off in the folk world and then produced several "pop" masterpieces.

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: Allan Conn
Date: 04 Dec 20 - 06:06 AM

In normal times we have a pub session after our floor spot session and I certainly know the Scottish songs that really get a pub crowd involved around here in the Borders anyway. Caledonia; Loch Lomond; Killiecrankie are all examples of very popular songs among all ages. I think that list for the favourite song thing was made up by folk around my age now. Who were young in the 80s. Both "Caledonia" and "Loch Lomond" could have been on that final 10 list as both have been pop hits in Scotland. I imagine "Loch Lomond" might well have been high as though not an anthem it is played during many sporting events etc too.

"Flower of Scotland" is a funny one as obviously everyone knows it and when it is performed everyone does sing it - but I find if anyone actually requests it you tend to find the person asking is a tourist. Often German or French etc.

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: clueless don
Date: 04 Dec 20 - 06:41 AM

I will ask an ignorant question (I mean no disrespect): Is there a Scottish National Anthem?

Flower of Scotland? Scotland the Brave? Scots Wha' Hae? other?

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: Allan Conn
Date: 04 Dec 20 - 07:27 AM

There is not an official National Anthem. Flower of Scotland is played an an anthem at sporting events and less often Scotland The Brave.

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: GUEST,Rossey
Date: 04 Dec 20 - 08:02 AM

I note that these critics and there choices are always central Scotland types. Like BBC Scotland and all it shows and represents, there is always a high bias. Scotland is not one entity. When they showed the programme supposedly a history of pop music 'Rip it up', it was Glasgowcentric drivel. You'd think Scotland stopped at Glasgow and Edinburgh, it doesn't. Many of those tracks previously mentioned are of their time, and not representative of today's popularity. Even those few of a certain age and demographic spread, who remember Deacon Blue are more likely to favour 'Real Gone Kid' on the dance floor, and the Proclaimers I'm Gonna Be 500 Miles;.   The thread here is generally under the wrong heading.. and Scottish song like all music has different genres and levels of regionality and international popularity. Then you have subcategories of songs, which are more popular as instrumentals..folk trad. style tartan music that has spread worldwide. The most used Scottish song of all worldwide, would be the most familiar tune setting to 'Auld Lang Syne'.

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: gillymor
Date: 04 Dec 20 - 08:04 AM

Some of this non-Scot's favorite songs and versions of:
The Green Wedding by Malinky (w/ Karine Polwart)
Tramps and Hawkers by Old Blind Dogs
Both Sides the Tweed by Dick Gaughan

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: Allan Conn
Date: 04 Dec 20 - 08:30 AM

Yeah and talking of "Both Sides The Tweed" it was firstly associated with the poet James Hogg. As far as the lyric goes Gaughan just left the last verse out and changed a couple of words in the remainder of it. Just really to say that the start of next week marks the 250th anniversary of the Ettrick Shepherd's birth. Other songs associated with Hogg include "Lock The Door Lariston" and "Donald McGillivray". I always wonder why Gaughan left the last verse out. He's a confirmed naionalist and the last verse is the most pointed part of the lyric. Maybe he thought it too direct and preferred to be more subtle.

"Let us think how our ancestors rose
Let us think how our ancestors fell
Twas their rights they defended, twas those
They bought with their blood we'll ne'er sell"

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: gillymor
Date: 04 Dec 20 - 08:34 AM

Thanks for that, Allen.

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Dec 20 - 09:42 AM

Rossy: the heading is a direct reference to the poll; I would agree the heading, in that respect, is very weak.
The poll really was not for a folk audience, of course.

Subject: RE: Scots favourite song
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 05 Dec 20 - 02:48 PM

I would have thought that Dougie Maclean's Caledonia would have been in that poll, as many people came to know it through the Frankie Miller version which was used as a well- known Scottish beer advert, and had more of a "pop" sound to it, contrasting with Dougie's definitely folk original.as Allan C has suggested, it is often requested in a pub session by people who are probably not "folkies" but just happen to have ventured into that pub that day/evening.