Advertisement

Edinburgh songbook: 11 of the best songs by Edinburgh bands and artists from Callum Beattie to Pilot

Neil Johnstone
·4-min read
Despite our lack of live music venues, Edinburgh has a rich history of producing quality music. Here are 11 songs our readers thought were some of the best. Photo: alterna2, Wikimedia Commons
Despite our lack of live music venues, Edinburgh has a rich history of producing quality music. Here are 11 songs our readers thought were some of the best. Photo: alterna2, Wikimedia Commons

There are many famous faces who hailed from Edinburgh – from everyone’s favourite 007 actor Sean Connery to great writers like Muriel Spark and Sir Walter Scott.

And when it comes to music, Edinburgh has produced some brilliant bands and artists known the world over. We asked our readers to tell us the best song by an Edinburgh band or artist, and there were hundreds of suggestions.

From football anthems and thumping floor fillers to songs that reflect a sombre depiction of the Capital – here are 11 songs by Edinburgh artists that our readers said were the very best.

In this 1977 feel good track by Edinburgh punk rock trio, The Valves, we hear the story of man ‘cruising down Bath Street’ with a surfboard in his hand only to find there ‘ain’t no surf in Portobello.’ Producing a similar sound to Plastic Bertrand’s Ca Plan Pour that was released in the same year. If released today, a contemporary ear might say it blends a libertines feel with the harmonies of the beach boys. The song was re-recorded in 2019 at the Wee Red Bar at the Edinburgh College of Art. (Photo: Supplied)
Comfortably ahead on our poll was Callum Beatie’s Salamander Street. Telling the story of an Edinburgh sex worker, the song’s combination of haunting strings and heartfelt vocals make for a powerful track. The Edinburgh singer told Hits Radio: “It's a song about growing up in Edinburgh, and you know, I went to school with someone who I later saw in Salamander Street, and I just thought, it's a story that's real, and I wanted to write about it.” (Photo: Contributed)
The 1970s hit rock song by Pilot was apparently inspired after watching the sunrise on Blackford Hill – hence the lyrics ‘never been awake, never seen a day break.’ Along with “January’ and ‘Call me Round’ the 1974 release ‘Magic’ sold more than a million copies in its first year. Photo: Sean Bell
The 1970s hit rock song by Pilot was apparently inspired after watching the sunrise on Blackford Hill – hence the lyrics ‘never been awake, never seen a day break.’ Along with “January’ and ‘Call me Round’ the 1974 release ‘Magic’ sold more than a million copies in its first year. Photo: Sean Bell
Released in 1978 by Edinburgh/Fife punk band The Rezillos, Top of the Pops is a light hearted, slightly cynical look at the commercial aspect to the music business. After initially hearing about the excitement to get exposure the band later sing ‘there's one, born every day, sing song, then fade away, ding dong, what's the future in the pop music industry?’ Photo: Man Alive! flickr
Once described as ‘an urban dance-pop mini-epic,’ the gritty dance track from 1999 sees sisters, Sylvia and Gina Rae, describe high rise life in Edinburgh. Packed with memorable lyrics including ‘you live in high rise town, head in the clouds – still climbing’ and ‘the lifts no workin and the stair are keeping me down’ the 90s hit by The Lanterns derives a listen if you haven’t heard it. Photo: kaysgeog, flickr
Forming a band in school, Edinburgh indie rock group, Vistas, released their second single Retrospect in 2018. The fast paced electro pop hit explores the idea of finding ‘happiness in retrospect’. The song was also featured on Netflix show, Heartstopper. (Photo: Erick Almeida, Wikimedia commons)
Forming a band in school, Edinburgh indie rock group, Vistas, released their second single Retrospect in 2018. The fast paced electro pop hit explores the idea of finding ‘happiness in retrospect’. The song was also featured on Netflix show, Heartstopper. (Photo: Erick Almeida, Wikimedia commons)
Arguably The Proclaimers signature tune, this 1988 belter is a little bit of everything: a memoir, a ballad, a football anthem and a love song to Scotland. An Easter Road favourite, Sunshine on Leith was voted the UK's favourite football anthem by Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 631-08-2022. Photo: Michael Gillen
Arguably The Proclaimers signature tune, this 1988 belter is a little bit of everything: a memoir, a ballad, a football anthem and a love song to Scotland. An Easter Road favourite, Sunshine on Leith was voted the UK's favourite football anthem by Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 631-08-2022. Photo: Michael Gillen
The 1994 smash hit that reached high chart entries around the world, Edwyn Collins’ ‘A Girl Like You’ is a grungy, iconic 90s song with a captivating guitar riff combined with Collins’ distinct deep voice making for a unique and memorable song. In the song we hear about a mystical girl who seems to have Collins under her spell, sparking a fascination that is sadly unrequited. Photo: alterna2, Wikimedia Commons
Featured in the Bay City Rollers’ debut album, ‘Shang-a-Lang’ from 1974 is a floor thumping track about enjoying a night out ‘dancing the night away.’ Written by prolific Scottish songwriter, Bill Martin, he once suggested the Scottish rugby team should sing the song after the New Zealand All Blacks preform the haka. (Photo: contributed)
Featured in the Bay City Rollers’ debut album, ‘Shang-a-Lang’ from 1974 is a floor thumping track about enjoying a night out ‘dancing the night away.’ Written by prolific Scottish songwriter, Bill Martin, he once suggested the Scottish rugby team should sing the song after the New Zealand All Blacks preform the haka. (Photo: contributed)
Known for his soulful voice, Finley Quaye’s catchy 1997 track, Your Love Gets Sweeter,’ describes the evolution of a relationship that grows stronger over time. In the song we hear Quaye longing to make a special someone ‘his queen’ whilst still a teenager. We later learn the Edinburgh born signer got the girl years later and ‘things are riding to plan.’ Photo: Getty Images
Penicuik group, The Lost Soul Band, started out in the early 90s with a Sunday night residency at the St James Oyster Bar on Calton Road (now The Bunker) – quickly establishing a loyal fanbase. And in 1993 they released this heartfelt number about ‘living on coffee and hope’ - a message many can probably relate to. Photo: LaShawn Wiltz, flickr
Penicuik group, The Lost Soul Band, started out in the early 90s with a Sunday night residency at the St James Oyster Bar on Calton Road (now The Bunker) – quickly establishing a loyal fanbase. And in 1993 they released this heartfelt number about ‘living on coffee and hope’ - a message many can probably relate to. Photo: LaShawn Wiltz, flickr