From Jimmy Somerville's reggae-tinged cover to Bis's cult favourite 'Eurodisco', these eight Scottish songs from the 1990s are absolute gems that deserve a fresh listen. The Daily Record has compiled a list of tracks released by Scottish musicians throughout the decade that you might have forgotten, each one guaranteed to bring back a wave of nostalgia.
Iconic Solo and Band Hits
Jimmy Somerville, the Glasgow-born singer who rose to fame in the 80s with Bronski Beat and the Communards, released 'To Love Somebody' under his own name in 1990. The track, originally by the Bee Gees, was given a reggae twist in Somerville's cover version.
The Shamen, an Aberdeen band best known for their 1992 rave hit 'Ebeneezer Goode', shared 'Move Any Mountain' a year earlier. The thumping techno-pop track became the band's first top 10 hit, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart.
Dreamy Tracks and Rock Anthems
One Dove, a Glasgow-founded electronic music group known for the ethereal vocals of Dot Allison, released 'White Love' in 1993. The dreamy and groovy number was one of their most successful songs and received critical acclaim.
The Trashcan Sinatras, a rock and pop band from Irvine in Ayrshire that formed in 1986 and are still making music today, had arguably their biggest hit with 1993's 'Hayfever'. The melancholic track reached a peak of 61 on the UK Singles Chart.
Cover Versions and Chart Success
Gun, a hard rock band from Glasgow that formed in 1987 and released their latest album in 2024, delivered an iconic heavy rock cover of Cameo's 'Word Up!' in 1994. The track peaked inside the top 10 of the charts.
Del Amitri, another Glasgow group, released 'Roll to Me' in 1995. While the band is most famous for their 1990 hit 'Nothing Ever Happens', 'Roll to Me' became a surprising hit in the United States and Canada.
Historic Gaelic Track and Cult Favourite
Runrig, a rock band from Skye, released 'An Ubhal as Àirde (The Highest Apple)' in 1995. The stunning and deeply emotional track holds the honour of being the first-ever Scottish Gaelic song to enter the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 18.
Bis, an indie pop band from Giffnock, released 'Eurodisco' from their second album Social Dancing in 1998. The high-energy anthem has become a cult favourite over the years, a glittering banger that could set 90s dancefloors alight.
