Glasgow’s impact on music is a global affair. Nascent musicians have been plucked from the embrace of the city and scattered to other places around the world, finding their voice along the way.
Songwriters from other towns and cities have had their music informed by interactions with the local scene. Then there is a litany of bands originating in places with Glasgow postcodes that have been absorbed into the city’s cultural sphere of influence.
Are any of these albums from Glasgow? The echoes of the city you hear in the music and how songs have become local anthems are more important than the distance from the Barrowland Ballroom someone was born or what bus they got home from the recording studio.
So here’s 20 Glasgow albums that stretch that connection to the city and its music scene to its furthest geographical limits. It makes for an impressive, varied playlist and a source of local pride.
1. The Jesus and Mary Chain: Psychocandy
The debut album from the East Kilbride band The Jesus and Mary Chain which features great track such as ‘Just Like Honey’, ‘You Trip Me Up’ and ‘Never Understand’. Featured on drums is Primal Scream front man Bobby Gillespie who was born in Springburn.
2. Teenage Fanclub: Bandwagonesque
Teenage Fanclub were formed in Bellshill near Glasgow but emerged from the Glasgow C86 scene along with bands such as The Pastels and Primal Scream. Bandwagonesque contains tracks such as ‘What You Do to Me’ and ‘Star Sign’.
3. Orange Juice: Rip it Up
One of the best Scottish albums of all time, Orange Juice’s Rip it Up is a much loved collection of songs with the title track being the standout hit on the album. The Bearsden band played a huge part in making the Postcard label in Glasgow known. | Orange Juice
4. Biffy Clyro: Only Revolutions
A great album from start to finish from Biffy Clyro with ‘Many of Horror’, ‘Bubbles’ and ‘Mountains’ all being standouts. Although formed in Kilmarnock, the trio moved to Glasgow in 1997 and were released on Stow College’s Electric Honey label days after being signed by Beggars Banquet representatives at T in the Park 2000. | Biffy Clyro