Tag: Audio Frontier

Deacon Blue’s ‘DIGNITY’ is Scotland’s greatest song

Deacon Blue’s ‘Dignity’ has been named as Scotland’s Greatest Song. Ewen Cameron today announced the iconic tune was a clear winner on his breakfast show ‘Ewen Cameron in the Morning’ following the public vote.

Dignity was the first song ever released by the band in 1987 and the iconic tune has remained a firm favourite throughout the years. The signature song was also played by the band at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

In an interview with Ewen Cameron, Ricky Ross, said: “Thank you so much to everyone for voting for this song. I know that people take this song to their hearts and we are very grateful for that and on behalf of all of Deacon Blue I thank you for making Dignity Scotland’s favourite song.

“It is a lovely thing that people have taken it on board as it was never really a hit record. It was one of these songs that crept up and it got released and then re-released and eventually re-released and it sort of became a folk song in people’s hearts and it is lovely that it has stayed with people

“I phoned Dougie to tell him, he and I started this band 35 years ago and it funny that this is a song that we cobbled together in a wee rehearsal room one day.

“I lost my mum this year and it is the kind of thing that she would have loved to have heard. It’s an amazing story and I’m very, very proud.”

Ewen Cameron said: “There was an incredibly strong shortlist showcasing the best of Scottish talent and Dignity by Deacon Blue is a brilliant winner. I don’t think there can be anyone in Scotland who doesn’t know the words to this anthem or find themselves singing along when we play it.

“I have to say though, as much as I love The Proclaimers, as a Hearts fan, I was slightly relieved that ‘Sunshine on Leith’ didn’t take the honours. However, I have to confess that is a great song and a very worthy runner -up!”

The ten songs were selected by four judges including Jackie Bird, singer and actress, Clare Grogan as well as journalist and presenter, Gordon Smart and Aarti Joshi of DF Concerts after many hours of debate and discussion.

Head Judge, Jackie Bird, said: “It was wonderful to be part of a debate that took our minds off the rotten stuff around us all at the moment and gave us some fun and something to be passionate about.  I know that during the voting various songs took the lead, but Dignity was always going to be one of the hot favourites.

“Like all the best songs it tells an authentic story and is ultimately an uplifting tale of hard work and hope.  The song carries such a universal message, no wonder it’s hi-jacked by live audiences around the world.  Well done to all our talented artists who made the top ten and to Ricky and Deacon Blue for giving us a classic.”

Dignity was selected from a shortlist of ten songs and the closely fought battle saw Sunshine on Leith by the Proclaimers in second place with Baker Street by Garry Rafferty in third. The other seven contenders on the shortlist were:

  • Whole of The Moon: The Waterboys
  • Loaded: Primal Scream  
  • Tinseltown in the Rain: The Blue Nile
  • In a Big Country: Big Country
  • This is the Life: Amy MacDonald
  • Black Eyed Boy: Texas
  • Somewhere in My Heart: Aztec Camera

Victoria Easton-Riley, content director at Greatest Hits Radio Scotland, said: “Scotland’s Greatest Song has just underlined how passionate the Greatest Hits Radio Scotland listeners are about Scottish music and artists.

“It has been fantastic to see so many of them vote and interact with our stations and presenters on social media. Our presenters have loved being part of this campaign too.

“Thanks to Audio Frontier for pulling this exciting project together. And of course, a huge congratulations to our winner, Deacon Blue. A great choice from our listeners!”

The project is the brainchild of Glasgow-based audio specialists Audio Frontier, which has won a funding bid for the programmes through the UK Government’s Audio Content Fund.

John McInally, of Audio Frontier, said: “‘It’s been a real pleasure to work on this project alongside the Audio Content Fund. It’s been a great way to celebrate St Andrews Day and Dignity is a worthy winner, though I’m sure the debate will continue!”

To listen to the judges and artists discuss all ten songs on the shortlist please visit Scotland’s Greatest Song – Latest Episodes – Listen Now on Clyde 2 (planetradio.co.uk)

Scotland’s Greatest Song: Jackie Bird to chair judging panel

The judges who have selected the shortlist for ‘Scotland’s Greatest Song’ have been revealed ahead of the ten songs being unveiled on Monday 9 November.

The head judge was announced as Jackie Bird who was joined by singer and actress, Clare Grogan as well as journalist and presenter, Gordon Smart and Aarti Joshi of DF Concerts.

After hours of debate, discussion and even the odd disagreement the quartet have selected the ten songs which the public will be able to vote on from Sunday 15th November to be named as ‘Scotland’s Greatest Song’.

The winner will be announced by Ewen Cameron across the Greatest Hits Network Scotland including Forth 2, Clyde 2 and Tay 2 on St. Andrew’s Day.

The search was launched to celebrate the country’s musical heritage and head judge Jackie Bird found it tougher than expected to narrow it down to ten.

She said: “It is such a pleasure – and a pressure – to be part of the momentous challenge that is finding Scotland’s Greatest Song.

“The judges put their hearts and souls into whittling down a long list of classics to reach our top ten.  With so many fabulous songs to choose from and so many people rooting for their much-loved favourites it rightly became a huge and very serious debate.  I’m so glad it’s the listeners who will make the final decision.”

Clare Grogan added: “Ultimately I have loved this torturous experience! Getting to re-listen to these amazing songs and artists has been joyful and my goodness we were spoilt for choice.

“So many incredibly talented and influential musicians that Scotland continuously produces and so proud to be part of this with my fellow judges. I’ve never enjoyed fighting with people more!”

Victoria Easton-Riley, content director at Greatest Hits Radio Scotland, said: “We know that our Greatest Hits Radio Scotland listeners are as passionate about Scottish music and artists as our presenters across the network and we were delighted to have the opportunity to be part of this exciting initiative from Audio Frontier.

“Many hours are happily spent debating the relative merits of different songs and artists and I’m sure that there will be a wide range of views and opinions as to what should be on the shortlist!

“I’m looking forward to the shortlist being announced and to find out who our listeners and the general public select as ‘Scotland’s Greatest Song’.”

The project is the brainchild of Glasgow-based audio specialists Audio Frontier, which has won a funding bid for the programmes through the UK Government’s Audio Content Fund.

John McInally, of Audio Frontier, said: “Audio Frontier are delighted to work alongside the Greatest Hits Network and the Audio Content Fund to help find Scotland’s Greatest Song.

“The team of judges we have assembled, know their music inside out and I’m just glad we could pass the buck on to them to finalise the ten songs that the country has to vote for.”

On Monday 9th November a podcast launches to reveal the 10 songs shortlisted and how the judges came to the final ten. Ewen Cameron will also join the debate about the shortlist on the same day on his breakfast show ‘Ewen Cameron In The Morning’ from 6am.

On Sunday 15th November from 4pm to 7pm the judges will also come together for a special one-off show across the Greatest Hits stations in Scotland. Hosted by head judge, Jackie Bird, she will be joined by her three fellow judges to discuss their shortlist, how they came to their decisions and to play the final ten.

You can listen on AM*, online, on DAB radio, via the station app or on your Smart Speaker.

*West Sound Dumfries is on FM (and not available on DAB). Northsound 2 is a digital station and not available on AM.