One of Fife’s finest, Stuart Adamson, was the founding force behind the band Big Country.

He attended one of the schools I taught in Beath High School (but I think before my time there) and at least one his children was a pupil at the other, Queen Anne High School in Dunfermline.

Big Country’s skirling guitar sound was intended to invoke its members’ Scottish heritage as heard in this song. The clip seems to be a live version as performed on The Tube.

Big Country: In a Big Country

Prefab Sprout were never a great commercial success (even if they had nine top forty albums their biggest single hit only reached no 7.) but were more appreciated critically.

Their previous single to that was this song, a UK no 44 in 1988.

Prefab Sprout: Cars and Girls

And now Shane McGowan has gone. I doubt he needs any introduction.

There is really only one song that I can use to illustrate his legacy. It is most people’s favourite “Christmas” song. It does not deal with traditional Christmas themes.

I note this is not the version with the “cleaned-up” lyric. (Though the person typing out the lyrics  did misspell a four letter word.)

The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl: Fairy Tale of New York

Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan: 25/12/1957 – 30/11/2023. So it goes.

Marillion’s last “hit” of the 1980s this was a track from the first Fishless LP Season’s End.

“Hit” is in inverted commas since it only reached no 53.

It has an interesting referential lyric.

Marillion: The Uninvited Guest

From 1982, Joan Armatrading’s second (and last) top twenty hit in the UK – though it was a no. 1 in South Africa.

Joan Armatrading: Drop the Pilot

I saw on the internet that guitarist Bernie Marsden had died and yesterday read his obituary in the Guardian.

He had a varied career in numerous bands but is most remembered for being a member of Whitesnake when that band first appeared on the scene.

Heavy metal isn’t really my thing but this, Whitesnake’s first real UK hit and which Marsden co-wrote, is not by any means over the top.

Whitesnake: Fool For Your Loving

Bernard John Marsden: 7/5/1951 – 24/8/2023. So it goes.

One from the ever eclectic B A Roberston, this nevertheless always struck me as an odd subject for a pop song – especially one with a punk sensibility.

Intriguing certainly, though it doesn’t seem to have been a hit.

The clip is taken from The Kenny Everett Video Show.

B A Robertson: Saint Saens

This is the best selling single from the album Private Dancer which marked Tina Turner’s renaissance from the lean years after she left her abusive husband Ike.

Tina Turner: What’s Love Got To Do With It

I never took to The Smiths. I couldn’t get on with singer Morrissey’s posturing and narcissism.

But I am glad that, on his death, the band’s bassist Andy Rourke has got the recognition he deserved. He was an integral part of the group’s sound.

His bass is well to the fore here.

The Smiths:

Andrew Michael (Andy) Rourke: 17/1/1964 – 19/5/2023. So it goes.

The much missed Kirsty MacColl’s first hit. An example of that slyly humorous type of song she executed so perfectly.

Kirsty MacColl: There’s a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis