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.
We previously brought you the best albums from Glasgow, a list of records where the definition of a Glasgow musician had fairly narrow geographical parameters. It still managed to include Mogwai, Deacon Blue and The Bluebells - three bands imprinted on Glasgow’s music scene but with members from beyond the confines of the city.
There was an immediate outcry from readers: Demands for recognition of the bands they associate with Glasgow, excluded because they are actually from Paisley, Coatbridge or East Kilbride.
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 they were born or what bus they got home.
So here’s 20 Glasgow albums that stretch that connection to Glasgow to its furthest limits. It makes for an impressive, varied playlist and a source of local pride.
5. Aztec Camera: High Land, Hard Rain
Aztec Camera were originally formed in East Kilbride but were first noticed when they appeared on a Glasgow cassette-only compilation with other unsigned local bands. Their debut album released in 1983 included tracks such as ‘Oblivious’ and ‘We Could Send Letters’. | Aztec Camera
6. Wet Wet Wet: Popped In Souled Out
Wet Wet Wet from Clydebank made their live debut in Glasgow at Nightmoves venue and also their professional debut at the famous Barrowlands. The albums hits are ‘Wishing I Was Lucky’, ‘Sweet Little Mystery’ and ‘Temptation’. | Wet Wet Wet
7. AC/DC: Back in Black
This was AC/DC’s first album without singer Bon Scott and is one of the biggest-selling albums of all time having sold 50 million copies. Apart from the title track, it also features rockers like ‘Hells Bells’ and ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’. Brothers Angus and Malcolm Young were both born in Cranhill and learned to play musical instruments in Glasgow before moving to Australia at a young age. Photo: Getty Images
8. Dire Straits: Brothers in Arms
Another one of the world’s best selling albums is Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms including iconic songs ‘Money for Nothing’ and ‘Walk of Life’. Lead singer and guitarist Mark Knopfler was born in Glasgow before moving to Blyth. | Dire Straits