Sharleen Spiteri
Encyclopedia
Sharleen Spiteri is a Scottish recording artist and songwriter, best known as being the lead singer of Scottish rock/blues band Texas
. Texas began their career in 1986, and shot to fame in 1989 with their UK Top Ten single, "I Don't Want a Lover
" released from Southside
(1989). Up until 2003, Texas's worldwide album sales were counted at 20 million.
Her debut solo album Melody
was released in 2008, and her second solo album The Movie Songbook
was released in March 2010.
, Italian and Irish descent. When she was young the family moved from the Glaswegian suburbs to nearby Balloch
, close to the banks of Loch Lomond
. At school (Vale of Leven Academy) her nickname was ‘Spit the Dog’, after the character on the TV show Tiswas
. Sharleen was a hairdresser in Muirhead
, North Lanarkshire
until she hit fame.
(the main reason she plays a black Fender Telecaster
) and Blondie
to Marvin Gaye
and Prince. She is also a dedicated Diana Ross
fan. Spiteri co-founded the band while working at the Irvine Rusk salon as a hairdresser in Glasgow with band mates Johnny McElhone
(bass guitar) and Ally McErlaine
(lead guitar). The band, composed of Spiteri, McElhone, McErlaine, Tony McGovern, Eddie Campbell, Michael Bannister
and Neil Payne, first released an EP entitled Everyday Now
before releasing their debut album Southside
in July 1989. The band gained international success with their debut single "I Don't Want a Lover
" which at No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart
, and No. 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts. Later singles released from Southside were not as successful, "Thrill Has Gone
" which charted at No. 60 on the UK Singles Chart, "Everyday Now
" at No. 44 and "Prayer For You
" at #73. Only four singles were released from Southside before going on a tour and return to the studio to start work on their second album Mothers Heaven
. Texas's second studio album Mothers Heaven was released soon after the band released an extended play to help promote the album; Extracts from Mothers Heaven was released in 1991. The album was released on 8 October 1991 and was not as successful as Southside. The album charted at a low and unexpected No. 32 on the UK Album Charts and two singles "Why Believe In You
" which charted at No. 66 in the UK, "In My Heart
" which charted at No. 74 in the United Kingdom were not as successful, but the albums third and final single "Alone With You
" which charted at No. 32 on the UK Singles Chart. Promotion had stopped for Mothers Heaven and again the band returned to the studio to work on their third album Ricks Road
.
Ricks Road was released in 1993, again, not as successful as the band and fans had hoped for, but chart and sales wise, the album did better than Mothers Heaven. Ricks Road charted at No. 18 on the UK Album Charts, only spending a further 1 week falling to No. 56 on the UK Album Charts before leaving the charts. The albums lead single "So Called Friend
" charted at No. 30 on the UK Singles Chart and the second "You Owe It All To Me
" charted at #39. The further three singles released, "So In Love With You
" charted at No. 28 in the United Kingdom. The further two singles "You've Got To Give a Little" and "Fade Away" did not chart in the United Kingdom. In 1997, Texas came back to the music scene with the international hit "Say What You Want
". The song was released internationally on 6 January 1997. The song became the bands highest peaking single to date on the UK Singles Chart debuting at No. 7 before peaking at No. 3 in its second week of release. The song stayed around for a total of 10 weeks in the United Kingdom; dropping to No. 6 in its third week and No. 8 in its fourth week. Its fifth week seen the song fall out of the UK Top 10 charts at No. 13 and in its sixth week falling to #18. Its seventh week it dropped to No. 28 and its eight dropped to No. 38, and in its ninth week dropped to #37. In its tenth and final week the song fell to No. 48 and failed to make an eleventh week on the UK Charts. In February, Texas released their fourth, multi-platinum selling album. White on Blonde
, it went on to become the bands most successful album to date. The album charted at No. 1 on the UK Album Charts and returned to the top spot in the United Kingdom three times (including its debut peak at number one). The album managed 91 weeks on the UK Album Charts. After the success of "Say What You Want", Texas released the track "Halo
" on 6 April 1997. "Halo" became one of the band's biggest charting UK singles (the band's third UK Top 10 single at that point) charting at No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart. Like "Say What You Want", "Halo" received strong airplay on UK radio stations and received fairly positive reviews from music critics. The song stayed on the UK Singles Charts for a total of 7 weeks. Texas went on to release a third single from the album; "Black Eyed Boy
" was released on 28 July 1997 and became the bands fourth UK Top 10 single at the time of its release. The song charted at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 29 on the French Singles Charts, as well as charting at No. 68 in Germany and No. 23 on the Irish Singles Charts. In the United Kingdom, the song received strong radio play. The song managed 6 weeks on the UK Singles Chart. The albums fourth single; "Put Your Arms Around Me
" was released on 23 November 1997. The single became the bands fifth United Kingdom Top 10 single at the time when it was released in November 1997 and also made White on Blonde one of a few albums to spawn 5 UK Top 10 Singles. The song managed a strong 8 weeks on the UK Singles Chart. In 1998, Texas's song "Put Your Arms Around Me" was the lone vocal track for the Andy Tennant
film, Ever After: A Cinderella Story, starring Drew Barrymore
. In 1999, Texas released their first single from their new fifth studio album. "In Our Lifetime
" was released in April 1999 and became the bands second highest charting single in the United Kingdom, debuting at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also was included on the Notting Hill
soundtrack. With the success of "In Our Lifetime", Texas continued to go ahead with the released of their fifth studio album; The Hush
was released in May 1999, and like its predecessor White On Blonde, charted at No. 1 on the UK Album Charts in its first week of release. The Hush received fair reviews with 'All Music Guide' stating the album was "Blessed with a stylish production and sharp commercial songs". In the albums second week it dropped 2 places to No. 3 but in its third week rose back to #2. The album managed 43 weeks on the UK Album Charts. With the continued Texas success, the band followed up the success of their album with a second single. "Summer Son
" was released on 16 August 1999. Summer Son charted in the UK Top 10 at No. 5, making Summer Son the bands seven UK Top 10 single at that point. "Summer Son" received a lot of fair radio airplay in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe and received a fair amount of positive reviews. The song serves as one of Texas's biggest and best known songs to date. One more single was released from The Hush, "When We Are Together
". The song was released on 15 November 1999 and missed the UK Top 10, but became the band's 13th UK Top 40 singles (including their UK Top 10 Singles). The song charted at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart behind Garbage
's 1999 James Bond
movie theme "The World Is Not Enough
". The Hush has become one of the band's biggest selling albums worldwide.
" was released 2 October 2000. The song reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart and also reached high positions in various European countries such as No. 80 in Germany, No. 10 in Spain, No. 20 on the Irish Singles Charts and No. 49 in Switzerland. When The Greatest Hits was released; it went straight to No. 1 in the United Kingdom like the previous to studio albums White on Blonde
and The Hush
. The album also charted at No. 24 on the Belgium Album Top 100, No. 48 on the Spanish Albums Top 100 charts, No. 60 on the Irish Album Charts and No. 72 in Switzerland. The Greatest Hits saw the release of a second single titled "Inner Smile
". The song was released at the end of 2000 and the beginning of 2001 in certain countries. Inner Smile reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the bands ninth UK Top 10 single at the time of the singles release. The video for "Inner Smile" featured a homage to Elvis Presley
(and specifically his '68 Comeback Special shows) with Spiteri dressed as Presley in his black leather suit and using prosthetics to resemble him. It had some black and white stills showing her in distinct situations (in one of them, Sharleen/Elvis proudly holds a belt with the word "SHAR" instead of "ELVIS", formed with diamonds). The video clip was shot in London in November 2000 with a live audience and with the band members playing different roles as musicians and/or audience members (with Spiteri portraying various groupies). In September 2002, Spiteri gave birth to her daughter Mysty Kyd, although this did not prevent her from working on another album. On 6 October 2003; Texas released their first single from their upcoming sixth album titled "Carnival Girl
" which featured rapping vocals by Canadian artist Kardinal Offishall
. The song reached No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 15 on the Denmark Singles Charts, No. 41 in Switzerland, No. 43 on the Irish Singles Charts, No. 57 on the French Singles Charts Top 100 and No. 94 on the German Top 100. On 30 October 2003, Texas released their long awaited sixth studio album Careful What You Wish For. The album did not make No. 1 in the United Kingdom like the past three albums (two studio and 1 greatest hits) but however made No. 5 on the UK Album Charts and only managed Gold status awarded by the BPI
for sales of over 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom. A second and final single was released from the album titled "I'll See It Through
" was released on 8 December 2003. The single became the bands lowest charting single in the UK since "In My Heart
" in 1991. The song only managed No. 40 on the UK Singles Chart and only remained in the UK Top 100 for another two weeks.
" was released as the second single on 31 October 2005. The song failed to make the UK Top 10, reaching No. 13 in the UK and becoming the bands nineteenth UK Top 40 single. The band's seventh studio album; Red Book followed on 7 November 2005. The album reached No. 16 in the UK albums chart. Red Book became the bands third album to miss the UK Top 10 after Mothers Heaven
in 1991 and Ricks Road
in 1993. The band's third single and final single from the album was released on 9 January 2006; "Sleep
". The song became the bands eleventh UK Top 10 single peaking at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart as well as making No. 37 on the Irish Singles Charts. The song featured vocals from Paul Buchannan from the Scottish
band The Blue Nile
. On 21 February 2006 a promo
only single "What About Us" was released. On 24 September 2007 the band released The BBC Sessions
, including radio sessions spanning from 1989 to 2005, with extensive liner notes and interviews with Spiteri. Cover songs include Elmore James
's "It Hurts Me Too
", The Beatles
' "I've Got a Feeling
", and Ashford & Simpson
's "You're All I Need to Get By
."
In 2008, Spiteri embarked on a solo career. Her debut album Melody
was released in July 2008 and debuted at No. 3 in the UK. Worldwide the album sold over 300,000 copies. She released her debut solo single "All The Times I Cried
" which made the UK Top 40 at #26. She also released the singles "Stop, I Don't Love You Anymore
" and "It Was You
". "Don't Keep Me Waiting" was released as a promo single in Switzerland. On New Year's Eve 2009, she performed two cover songs on The Graham Norton Show
. Her second solo studio album The Movie Songbook
was released on 1 March 2010 worldwide On 11 September 2009 Ally McErlaine was hospitalized after he collapsed with a massive brain aneurysm at the age of 41. As of February, 2010, he is on the road to recovery, as reported by Spiteri in The Sunday Mail
: "Ally is the most stubborn person I have ever come across, and I think his sheer pigheadedness is the reason he's still here. When he asked what was happening with Texas, I said it was up to him. He told me he wanted to get back into the studio." A new Texas album is planned to be released in November 2011.
on 14 July 2008 with "All The Times I Cried
" serving as the albums lead single. The song charted at No. 26 on the UK Singles Chart. Melody was proven popular in the United Kingdom, debuting at a high No. 3 on the UK Album Charts. In other European countries where Texas
were popular like in Belgium, the album charted at No. 15 on the Belgium Flanders Charts and No. 13 on the Belgium Wallonia Charts. The song "Don't Keep Me Waiting" was released as a single in Switzerland only, in which it charted at No. 78 on the singles charts there. A further two singles were released worldwide, "Stop, I Don't Love You Anymore
" and "It Was You
" which were both unpopular in the United Kingdom, missing the UK Top 100, with "Stop, I Don't Love You Anymore" charting at No. 107 and "It Was You" at #178. By 2009, Melody has been certified Gold by the BPI (United Kingdom) with sales of over 100,000.
Spiteri released her second solo studio album The Movie Songbook
which consists of movie covers chosen by Spiteri herself was released on 1 March 2010. The albums lead single "Xanadu" was released in February 2010, and charted at No. 71 on the UK Singles Chart in March 2010. As for the album, it charted at No. 13 on the UK Album Charts on 7 March 2010, thus becoming Spiteri's second UK Top 40 album as a soloist, and her seventh UK Top 40 album both as a soloist and a member of Texas. To promote the album, she performed in front of 55,000 fans supporting Paul McCartney
on his Up and Coming Tour
at Glasgow's
Hampden Park
.
Spiteri appeared as a judge in the Sky1 show Must Be The Music
.
opposite Edward Furlong
in the thriller Three Blind Mice, but backed out due to pregnancy. She was also cast in Moulin Rouge!
starring Nicole Kidman
and Ewan McGregor
, but she told Jonathan Ross
on his show on 4 November 2005 that she declined because she did not want to move to Australia for a year.
In 2011, she appeared in the French TV show X Factor
with Henri Padovani who was managing groups for the competition.
When Texas released their debut single, "I Don't Want a Lover", in 1989, Spiteri was adamant that she didn't want a 'girly' image and insisted on 'Big E' Levi jeans and a denim jacket. She wrote and performed the title track to the 1990s sitcom Ellen, and once appeared alongside Ellen DeGeneres
in the opening credits.
Additionally, according to an article in the Scottish tabloid Sunday Mail
, Spiteri's song "Don't Keep Me Waiting" (from the Melody
album) will be used in the final season of The L Word
, Showtime's popular drama about a group of lesbians living in West Hollywood
.
Her latest album, The Movie Songbook, includes at least two romantic songs which have been recorded with the original male-centric lyrics: "What's New, Pussycat?" and "Oh, Pretty Woman
".
magazine, Ashley Heath. The couple have a daughter, Misty Kyd (named after the phrase from the Clint Eastwood
film Play Misty for Me
and Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid
), born on 9 September 2002. The birth prompted her close friend Thierry Henry
to dedicate a goal to her daughter by revealing the slogan "For the new born Kyd" beneath his shirt later that day. The couple separated in the second half of 2004.
She is a patron of children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent
.
Texas (band)
Texas are a Scottish pop band from Bearsden, near Glasgow, Scotland. They were founded by Johnny McElhone in 1986 and feature Sharleen Spiteri on lead vocals. Texas made their performing debut in March 1988 at Scotland's University of Dundee...
. Texas began their career in 1986, and shot to fame in 1989 with their UK Top Ten single, "I Don't Want a Lover
I Don't Want A Lover
I Don't Want a Lover is the debut single from Texas's first album Southside. It was released in January 1989 and peaked at #8 in the UK Singles Chart. It was remixed in 2001 by Stargate and DJ Stonebridge to promote The Greatest Hits compilation album...
" released from Southside
Southside
-United Kingdom:* South Side, County Durham, a village in the County Durham, England* Southside Wandsworth, a shopping centre in Wandsworth, South London.* South London, the area of London south of the River Thames....
(1989). Up until 2003, Texas's worldwide album sales were counted at 20 million.
Her debut solo album Melody
Melody (Sharleen Spiteri album)
Melody is the debut solo album from Scottish Texas lead singer, Sharleen Spiteri. It was released on July 14. 2008 and went straight to #3 in the United Kingdom album charts. The first single from the album was All The Times I Cried.-Background:...
was released in 2008, and her second solo album The Movie Songbook
The Movie Songbook
The Movie Songbook is the second studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter Sharleen Spiteri. It was released on 1 March 2010. The album consists of film song covers, chosen and recorded by Spiteri herself in 2009.- Reception :...
was released in March 2010.
Biography
Spiteri was born to father Eddie, a guitar-playing merchant seaman and mother Vilma, a singer. Spiteri is of MalteseMaltese people
The Maltese are an ethnic group indigenous to the Southern European nation of Malta, and identified with the Maltese language. Malta is an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Italian and Irish descent. When she was young the family moved from the Glaswegian suburbs to nearby Balloch
Balloch, West Dunbartonshire
Balloch is a small town in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, at the foot of Loch Lomond. The name comes from the Gaelic for "the pass".Balloch is at the north end of the Vale of Leven, straddling the River Leven itself. It connects to the larger town of Alexandria and to the smaller village of...
, close to the banks of Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
. At school (Vale of Leven Academy) her nickname was ‘Spit the Dog’, after the character on the TV show Tiswas
Tiswas
Tiswas was a Saturday morning children's British television series which ran from 5 January 1974 to 3 April 1982 and was produced for the ITV network by ATV Network Limited....
. Sharleen was a hairdresser in Muirhead
Muirhead
Muirhead is a small suburb about 7 miles North-East of Glasgow city centre. Nearby villages and towns include Chryston, Stepps, Lenzie, Garnkirk and Gartcosh....
, North Lanarkshire
North Lanarkshire
North Lanarkshire is one of 32 council areas in Scotland. It borders onto the northeast of the City of Glasgow and contains much of Glasgow's suburbs and commuter towns and villages. It also borders Stirling, Falkirk, East Dunbartonshire, West Lothian and South Lanarkshire...
until she hit fame.
Early Texas career
Spiteri's musical influences include The ClashThe Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
(the main reason she plays a black Fender Telecaster
Fender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
) and Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
to Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
and Prince. She is also a dedicated Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
fan. Spiteri co-founded the band while working at the Irvine Rusk salon as a hairdresser in Glasgow with band mates Johnny McElhone
Johnny McElhone
John Francis "Johnny" McElhone is a Scottish guitarist and songwriter.Unusually, he has played with three, otherwise unconnected rock bands, who have all enjoyed a Top 20 presence in the UK Singles Chart. Indeed, two of those groups have repeated that feat in the UK Albums Chart...
(bass guitar) and Ally McErlaine
Ally McErlaine
Ally McErlaine is a Scottish guitarist, best known for his work with the band Texas, which he has been a member of since 1988. Ally is also a member of Red Sky July who release their self titled debut album on the 17th October 2011.-Biography:McErlaine married Shelly Poole from Alisha's Attic in...
(lead guitar). The band, composed of Spiteri, McElhone, McErlaine, Tony McGovern, Eddie Campbell, Michael Bannister
Michael Bannister
Michael Bannister is a musician, best known as the keyboardist from the Scottish band Texas since 2005.- Mixed :* Born Innocent Unguarded Moments, Bor.....
and Neil Payne, first released an EP entitled Everyday Now
Everyday Now (EP)
Everyday Now is a 1989 EP released by Texas released in 1989 ahead of their debut album Southside. The EP was released through Mercury Records and included 3 studio tracks and 3 live tracks....
before releasing their debut album Southside
Southside (Texas album)
Southside is the debut album of the Scottish band Texas. The album was released on 25 July 1989 by Mercury Records and Vertigo Records...
in July 1989. The band gained international success with their debut single "I Don't Want a Lover
I Don't Want A Lover
I Don't Want a Lover is the debut single from Texas's first album Southside. It was released in January 1989 and peaked at #8 in the UK Singles Chart. It was remixed in 2001 by Stargate and DJ Stonebridge to promote The Greatest Hits compilation album...
" which at No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, and No. 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts. Later singles released from Southside were not as successful, "Thrill Has Gone
Thrill Has Gone
"Thrill Has Gone" is the second single to be released from Texas' first album Southside. It failed to repeat the success of "I Don't Want a Lover" and only reached #60 on the UK Singles Chart.-CD single & 12" vinyl :...
" which charted at No. 60 on the UK Singles Chart, "Everyday Now
Everyday Now
"Everday Now" is a song by Scottish band Texas. It was first recorded for the bands 1989 EP of the same name Everyday Now. It was released as a single on 5 August 1989 and is taken from the band's debut album Southside...
" at No. 44 and "Prayer For You
Prayer For You
"Prayer For You" was the fourth and final single to be taken from the album Southside by Scottish band Texas. Despite a variety of formats it failed to make the UK Singles Chart Top 40 - only managing to reach #73.-CD1 :#"Prayer For You" - 4:47...
" at #73. Only four singles were released from Southside before going on a tour and return to the studio to start work on their second album Mothers Heaven
Mothers Heaven
Mothers Heaven is the second album from the Scottish pop band Texas. The album was released on 8 October 1991 by Mercury Records and was the follow on to debut album, Southside...
. Texas's second studio album Mothers Heaven was released soon after the band released an extended play to help promote the album; Extracts from Mothers Heaven was released in 1991. The album was released on 8 October 1991 and was not as successful as Southside. The album charted at a low and unexpected No. 32 on the UK Album Charts and two singles "Why Believe In You
Why Believe in You
"Why Believe In You" was the first single to be taken from Scottish band Texas' second album Mothers Heaven. It continued their bad chart run, only managing to reach #66 on the UK Singles Chart for one week only.-CD single :...
" which charted at No. 66 in the UK, "In My Heart
In My Heart (Texas song)
"In My Heart" is a song by Scottish band Texas and the second single to be taken from their second studio album Mothers Heaven. It only managed to reach #74 on the UK Singles Chart where it remains their worst chart placing...
" which charted at No. 74 in the United Kingdom were not as successful, but the albums third and final single "Alone With You
Alone With You (Texas song)
"Alone With You" was the third and last single to be lifted from Scottish band Texas' Mothers Heaven album. It fared better than the previous five singles and returned the band to the UK Singles Chart top 40, reaching #32...
" which charted at No. 32 on the UK Singles Chart. Promotion had stopped for Mothers Heaven and again the band returned to the studio to work on their third album Ricks Road
Ricks Road
Ricks Road is the third album by Scottish rock band Texas. The album was released in 1993 on Mercury Records. The album debuted at number 18 in the UK and spent 2 weeks on the UK Album Charts...
.
Ricks Road was released in 1993, again, not as successful as the band and fans had hoped for, but chart and sales wise, the album did better than Mothers Heaven. Ricks Road charted at No. 18 on the UK Album Charts, only spending a further 1 week falling to No. 56 on the UK Album Charts before leaving the charts. The albums lead single "So Called Friend
So Called Friend
"So Called Friend" was the first single to be taken from Scottish band Texas' third studio album Ricks Road. It reached #30 on the UK Singles Chart in September 1993.The song was the theme song of TV series Ellen-7" vinyl :...
" charted at No. 30 on the UK Singles Chart and the second "You Owe It All To Me
You Owe It All to Me
"You Owe It All to Me" was the second single to be taken from Scottish band Texas' third studio album Ricks Road. It barely made the UK Top 40, reaching #39 on the UK Singles Chart in October 1993.-7" vinyl :#"You Owe It All to Me" - 3:43...
" charted at #39. The further three singles released, "So In Love With You
So In Love With You
"So In Love With You" was the third and final UK single to be taken from Scottish band Texas' third studio album Ricks Road...
" charted at No. 28 in the United Kingdom. The further two singles "You've Got To Give a Little" and "Fade Away" did not chart in the United Kingdom. In 1997, Texas came back to the music scene with the international hit "Say What You Want
Say What You Want
"Say What You Want" is a song by Scottish pop group Texas and the first single to be taken from their fourth studio album White on Blonde. It was remixed and re-released as a double A-side as "Say What You Want " / "Insane" in 1998 featuring Method Man and RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan...
". The song was released internationally on 6 January 1997. The song became the bands highest peaking single to date on the UK Singles Chart debuting at No. 7 before peaking at No. 3 in its second week of release. The song stayed around for a total of 10 weeks in the United Kingdom; dropping to No. 6 in its third week and No. 8 in its fourth week. Its fifth week seen the song fall out of the UK Top 10 charts at No. 13 and in its sixth week falling to #18. Its seventh week it dropped to No. 28 and its eight dropped to No. 38, and in its ninth week dropped to #37. In its tenth and final week the song fell to No. 48 and failed to make an eleventh week on the UK Charts. In February, Texas released their fourth, multi-platinum selling album. White on Blonde
White on Blonde
White on Blonde is the fourth album by Texas, released by Mercury Records in 1997. In 1998 Q magazine readers voted it the 86th greatest album of all time...
, it went on to become the bands most successful album to date. The album charted at No. 1 on the UK Album Charts and returned to the top spot in the United Kingdom three times (including its debut peak at number one). The album managed 91 weeks on the UK Album Charts. After the success of "Say What You Want", Texas released the track "Halo
Halo (Texas song)
Halo is a song recorded by Scottish alternative rock band Texas released on April 6, 1997 and the second single to be released from their UK #1 fourth album White on Blonde...
" on 6 April 1997. "Halo" became one of the band's biggest charting UK singles (the band's third UK Top 10 single at that point) charting at No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart. Like "Say What You Want", "Halo" received strong airplay on UK radio stations and received fairly positive reviews from music critics. The song stayed on the UK Singles Charts for a total of 7 weeks. Texas went on to release a third single from the album; "Black Eyed Boy
Black Eyed Boy
Black Eyed Boy is the third single from Scottish rock band Texas's album White on Blonde. The song was released on 28 July 1997 and reached #5 on the Official UK Singles Chart.-CD1 :#"Black Eyed Boy" - 3:16#"Sorry" - 4:33...
" was released on 28 July 1997 and became the bands fourth UK Top 10 single at the time of its release. The song charted at No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 29 on the French Singles Charts, as well as charting at No. 68 in Germany and No. 23 on the Irish Singles Charts. In the United Kingdom, the song received strong radio play. The song managed 6 weeks on the UK Singles Chart. The albums fourth single; "Put Your Arms Around Me
Put Your Arms Around Me (Texas song)
Put Your Arms Around Me is a song by Scottish alternative rock band Texas and the fourth and final single to be released from their album White on Blonde. It was released on 23 November 1997...
" was released on 23 November 1997. The single became the bands fifth United Kingdom Top 10 single at the time when it was released in November 1997 and also made White on Blonde one of a few albums to spawn 5 UK Top 10 Singles. The song managed a strong 8 weeks on the UK Singles Chart. In 1998, Texas's song "Put Your Arms Around Me" was the lone vocal track for the Andy Tennant
Andy Tennant
Andy Tennant is an American screenwriter, film and television director, and dancer.-Life and career:Born in Chicago, Illinois, Tennant was raised in Flossmoor, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. His father was Don Tennant, a legendary creative advertising talent with Leo Burnett Agency in Chicago...
film, Ever After: A Cinderella Story, starring Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore
Drew Blyth Barrymore is an American actress, film director, screenwriter, producer and model. She is a member of the Barrymore family of American actors and granddaughter of John Barrymore. She first appeared in an advertisement when she was 11 months old. Barrymore made her film debut in Altered...
. In 1999, Texas released their first single from their new fifth studio album. "In Our Lifetime
In Our Lifetime (Texas song)
"In Our Lifetime" is a song by Scottish band Texas and was the first single released prior to their fifth studio album The Hush. It was released worldwide in April 1999 and reached #4 on the UK Singles Chart.-CD1 :#"In Our Lifetime" - 4:10...
" was released in April 1999 and became the bands second highest charting single in the United Kingdom, debuting at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also was included on the Notting Hill
Notting Hill
Notting Hill is an area in London, England, close to the north-western corner of Kensington Gardens, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
soundtrack. With the success of "In Our Lifetime", Texas continued to go ahead with the released of their fifth studio album; The Hush
The Hush
The Hush is the fifth album by Scottish rock band Texas. The album was released in May 1999 via Mercury Records. It debuted at number one in the United Kingdom. It then fell to number three in its second week but in its third week rose back up to number two...
was released in May 1999, and like its predecessor White On Blonde, charted at No. 1 on the UK Album Charts in its first week of release. The Hush received fair reviews with 'All Music Guide' stating the album was "Blessed with a stylish production and sharp commercial songs". In the albums second week it dropped 2 places to No. 3 but in its third week rose back to #2. The album managed 43 weeks on the UK Album Charts. With the continued Texas success, the band followed up the success of their album with a second single. "Summer Son
Summer Son
"Summer Son" is a song by Scottish band Texas and was the second single to be taken from the album The Hush. The song was released on 16 August 1999 in the UK and reached #5 on the Official UK Singles Chart.-CD1 :...
" was released on 16 August 1999. Summer Son charted in the UK Top 10 at No. 5, making Summer Son the bands seven UK Top 10 single at that point. "Summer Son" received a lot of fair radio airplay in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe and received a fair amount of positive reviews. The song serves as one of Texas's biggest and best known songs to date. One more single was released from The Hush, "When We Are Together
When We Are Together (Texas song)
"When We Are Together" is a song by Scottish band Texas and was the third and final single to be taken from the album The Hush. The song reached #12 on the Official UK Singles Chart.-CD1 :#"When We Are Together" - 3:26...
". The song was released on 15 November 1999 and missed the UK Top 10, but became the band's 13th UK Top 40 singles (including their UK Top 10 Singles). The song charted at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart behind Garbage
Garbage (band)
Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
's 1999 James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
movie theme "The World Is Not Enough
The World is Not Enough (song)
"The World Is Not Enough" is a 1999 orchestral rock song performed by alternative rock group Garbage, and was the theme single of the James Bond film of the same name. The song and accompanying soundtrack were released internationally by Radioactive Records as the feature film premiered in theaters...
". The Hush has become one of the band's biggest selling albums worldwide.
Continued Texas career
In 2000; Texas released their debut greatest hits album; The Greatest Hits on 23 October 2000. The albums lead single "In DemandIn Demand (Texas song)
"In Demand" is the nineteenth single released in the UK by Scottish band Texas. It was released in October 2000 as the first single from their multi-platinum album The Greatest Hits and reached number six on the UK Singles Chart.-Track listing:...
" was released 2 October 2000. The song reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart and also reached high positions in various European countries such as No. 80 in Germany, No. 10 in Spain, No. 20 on the Irish Singles Charts and No. 49 in Switzerland. When The Greatest Hits was released; it went straight to No. 1 in the United Kingdom like the previous to studio albums White on Blonde
White on Blonde
White on Blonde is the fourth album by Texas, released by Mercury Records in 1997. In 1998 Q magazine readers voted it the 86th greatest album of all time...
and The Hush
The Hush
The Hush is the fifth album by Scottish rock band Texas. The album was released in May 1999 via Mercury Records. It debuted at number one in the United Kingdom. It then fell to number three in its second week but in its third week rose back up to number two...
. The album also charted at No. 24 on the Belgium Album Top 100, No. 48 on the Spanish Albums Top 100 charts, No. 60 on the Irish Album Charts and No. 72 in Switzerland. The Greatest Hits saw the release of a second single titled "Inner Smile
Inner Smile
Inner Smile is a song by Scottish pop group Texas, originally released on their 2000 album The Greatest Hits and co-written by Gregg Alexander and Rick Nowels. It was released as the second single from The Greatest Hits album in the United Kingdom and peaked at #6 on the UK Singles Chart...
". The song was released at the end of 2000 and the beginning of 2001 in certain countries. Inner Smile reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the bands ninth UK Top 10 single at the time of the singles release. The video for "Inner Smile" featured a homage to Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
(and specifically his '68 Comeback Special shows) with Spiteri dressed as Presley in his black leather suit and using prosthetics to resemble him. It had some black and white stills showing her in distinct situations (in one of them, Sharleen/Elvis proudly holds a belt with the word "SHAR" instead of "ELVIS", formed with diamonds). The video clip was shot in London in November 2000 with a live audience and with the band members playing different roles as musicians and/or audience members (with Spiteri portraying various groupies). In September 2002, Spiteri gave birth to her daughter Mysty Kyd, although this did not prevent her from working on another album. On 6 October 2003; Texas released their first single from their upcoming sixth album titled "Carnival Girl
Carnival Girl
"Carnival Girl" is a song by Scottish band Texas featuring Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall. The single was released on 6 October 2003 and was the first to be taken from their seventh studio album Careful What You Wish For...
" which featured rapping vocals by Canadian artist Kardinal Offishall
Kardinal Offishall
Jason D. Harrow , better known by his stage name Kardinal Offishall , is a Canadian rapper and record producer. He is often credited as Canada's "hip-hop ambassador", and is best known for his distinctive reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip-hop.-Life and career:Harrow was born in...
. The song reached No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 15 on the Denmark Singles Charts, No. 41 in Switzerland, No. 43 on the Irish Singles Charts, No. 57 on the French Singles Charts Top 100 and No. 94 on the German Top 100. On 30 October 2003, Texas released their long awaited sixth studio album Careful What You Wish For. The album did not make No. 1 in the United Kingdom like the past three albums (two studio and 1 greatest hits) but however made No. 5 on the UK Album Charts and only managed Gold status awarded by the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
for sales of over 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom. A second and final single was released from the album titled "I'll See It Through
I'll See It Through
I'll See It Through is a single by Scottish band Texas and the second to be taken from their seventh studio album Careful What You Wish For. The song was released on December 8 2003 and charted at #40 in the UK before falling to #57 in its second week then falling out the UK charts at #65.-CD1 ...
" was released on 8 December 2003. The single became the bands lowest charting single in the UK since "In My Heart
In My Heart (Texas song)
"In My Heart" is a song by Scottish band Texas and the second single to be taken from their second studio album Mothers Heaven. It only managed to reach #74 on the UK Singles Chart where it remains their worst chart placing...
" in 1991. The song only managed No. 40 on the UK Singles Chart and only remained in the UK Top 100 for another two weeks.
Later Texas career
The band returned in mid-2005 with the single "Getaway", which entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 6 becoming the bands tenth UK Top 10 single. The song also charted at No. 6 on the Denmark Singles Top 40, No. 18 in Norway, No. 34 on the Irish Singles Charts, No. 41 in Sweden, No. 43 in Belgium No. 45 in Switzerland, No. 59 in France and 59 in Germany. "Can't ResistCan't Resist (Texas song)
Can't Resist is a single from Scottish band Texas and the second to be taken from their album Red Book. The song was released on 31 October 2005 and reached #13 on the UK Singles Chart....
" was released as the second single on 31 October 2005. The song failed to make the UK Top 10, reaching No. 13 in the UK and becoming the bands nineteenth UK Top 40 single. The band's seventh studio album; Red Book followed on 7 November 2005. The album reached No. 16 in the UK albums chart. Red Book became the bands third album to miss the UK Top 10 after Mothers Heaven
Mothers Heaven
Mothers Heaven is the second album from the Scottish pop band Texas. The album was released on 8 October 1991 by Mercury Records and was the follow on to debut album, Southside...
in 1991 and Ricks Road
Ricks Road
Ricks Road is the third album by Scottish rock band Texas. The album was released in 1993 on Mercury Records. The album debuted at number 18 in the UK and spent 2 weeks on the UK Album Charts...
in 1993. The band's third single and final single from the album was released on 9 January 2006; "Sleep
Sleep (Texas song)
"Sleep" was the third single from Texas' most recent album Red Book. It was released in 9 January 2006 in 3 different formats: two audio CD singles and a DVD single...
". The song became the bands eleventh UK Top 10 single peaking at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart as well as making No. 37 on the Irish Singles Charts. The song featured vocals from Paul Buchannan from the Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
band The Blue Nile
The Blue Nile
The Blue Nile is an adult alternative/pop band from Glasgow. The music of The Blue Nile is built heavily on synthesizers and electronic instrumentation and percussion, although later works featured acoustic guitar more prominently.-Early years:...
. On 21 February 2006 a promo
Promotional recording
A promotional recording, or promo, is an audio or video recording distributed for free, usually in order to promote a recording that is or soon will be commercially available...
only single "What About Us" was released. On 24 September 2007 the band released The BBC Sessions
The BBC Sessions (Texas album)
The BBC Sessions by Texas was released September 24, 2007. It contains 24 tracks recorded live at the BBC studios in London.Between March 12, 1989 and October 18, 2003, Texas recorded ten sessions for the BBC Radio network, selected highlights of which are featured on this collection.-Disc...
, including radio sessions spanning from 1989 to 2005, with extensive liner notes and interviews with Spiteri. Cover songs include Elmore James
Elmore James
Elmore James was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and band leader. He was known as "the King of the Slide Guitar" and had a unique guitar style, noted for his use of loud amplification and his stirring voice.-Biography:James was born Elmore Brooks in the old Richland community in...
's "It Hurts Me Too
It Hurts Me Too
"It Hurts Me Too" is a blues standard that is "one of the most interpreted blues [songs]". First recorded in 1940 by Tampa Red, the song is a mid-tempo eight-bar blues that features slide guitar...
", The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' "I've Got a Feeling
I've Got a Feeling
"I've Got a Feeling" is a song by The Beatles, from the 1970 album Let It Be. It is one of the songs on the album from the Rooftop Concert...
", and Ashford & Simpson
Ashford & Simpson
Nickolas Ashford , and Valerie Simpson , were a husband and wife songwriting/production team and recording artists....
's "You're All I Need to Get By
You're All I Need to Get By
"You're All I Need to Get By" is a song recorded by the American R&B/soul duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and released on Motown Records' Tamla label in 1968. It was the basis for the 1995 single "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" from Method Man and Mary J...
."
In 2008, Spiteri embarked on a solo career. Her debut album Melody
Melody (Sharleen Spiteri album)
Melody is the debut solo album from Scottish Texas lead singer, Sharleen Spiteri. It was released on July 14. 2008 and went straight to #3 in the United Kingdom album charts. The first single from the album was All The Times I Cried.-Background:...
was released in July 2008 and debuted at No. 3 in the UK. Worldwide the album sold over 300,000 copies. She released her debut solo single "All The Times I Cried
All the Times I Cried
"All the Times I Cried" is the debut solo single by Texas lead singer, Sharleen Spiteri, from her debut solo album, Melody. It was digitally released in the U.K. on June 30, 2008, and physically released on July 7, 2008.- Music video :...
" which made the UK Top 40 at #26. She also released the singles "Stop, I Don't Love You Anymore
Stop, I Don't Love You Anymore
"Stop I Don't Love You Anymore" is the second single from Sharleen Spiteri's first solo album Melody. It was slated for a September 29, 2008 release, but then for unknown reasons it was pushed back and finally got released on October 6, 2008 as a digital download only single...
" and "It Was You
It Was You
"It Was You" is the third single released off Sharleen Spiteri's first solo album Melody. It was originally rumoured to be the second single due to it being on the albums sticker but it turned out to be "Stop, I Don't Love You Anymore", it was later announced to be the third single on Sharleen...
". "Don't Keep Me Waiting" was released as a promo single in Switzerland. On New Year's Eve 2009, she performed two cover songs on The Graham Norton Show
The Graham Norton Show
The Graham Norton Show is a British comedy chat show that is broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom. It was originally shown on BBC Two from February 2007 to May 2009 until it moved to BBC One from October 2009...
. Her second solo studio album The Movie Songbook
The Movie Songbook
The Movie Songbook is the second studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter Sharleen Spiteri. It was released on 1 March 2010. The album consists of film song covers, chosen and recorded by Spiteri herself in 2009.- Reception :...
was released on 1 March 2010 worldwide On 11 September 2009 Ally McErlaine was hospitalized after he collapsed with a massive brain aneurysm at the age of 41. As of February, 2010, he is on the road to recovery, as reported by Spiteri in The Sunday Mail
The Mail on Sunday
The Mail on Sunday is a British conservative newspaper, currently published in a tabloid format. First published in 1982 by Lord Rothermere, it became Britain's biggest-selling Sunday newspaper following the closing of The News of the World in July 2011...
: "Ally is the most stubborn person I have ever come across, and I think his sheer pigheadedness is the reason he's still here. When he asked what was happening with Texas, I said it was up to him. He told me he wanted to get back into the studio." A new Texas album is planned to be released in November 2011.
Solo career
After the release of Texas's 2005 album Red Book the band members confirmed that they would enter a hiatus. Spiteri performed as guest vocalist on Rammstein's "Rosenrot" album. She began work on her debut solo album, working with some of her former band mates. She wrote the vast majority of the tracks on the album. She released her debut solo album MelodyMelody (Sharleen Spiteri album)
Melody is the debut solo album from Scottish Texas lead singer, Sharleen Spiteri. It was released on July 14. 2008 and went straight to #3 in the United Kingdom album charts. The first single from the album was All The Times I Cried.-Background:...
on 14 July 2008 with "All The Times I Cried
All the Times I Cried
"All the Times I Cried" is the debut solo single by Texas lead singer, Sharleen Spiteri, from her debut solo album, Melody. It was digitally released in the U.K. on June 30, 2008, and physically released on July 7, 2008.- Music video :...
" serving as the albums lead single. The song charted at No. 26 on the UK Singles Chart. Melody was proven popular in the United Kingdom, debuting at a high No. 3 on the UK Album Charts. In other European countries where Texas
Texas (band)
Texas are a Scottish pop band from Bearsden, near Glasgow, Scotland. They were founded by Johnny McElhone in 1986 and feature Sharleen Spiteri on lead vocals. Texas made their performing debut in March 1988 at Scotland's University of Dundee...
were popular like in Belgium, the album charted at No. 15 on the Belgium Flanders Charts and No. 13 on the Belgium Wallonia Charts. The song "Don't Keep Me Waiting" was released as a single in Switzerland only, in which it charted at No. 78 on the singles charts there. A further two singles were released worldwide, "Stop, I Don't Love You Anymore
Stop, I Don't Love You Anymore
"Stop I Don't Love You Anymore" is the second single from Sharleen Spiteri's first solo album Melody. It was slated for a September 29, 2008 release, but then for unknown reasons it was pushed back and finally got released on October 6, 2008 as a digital download only single...
" and "It Was You
It Was You
"It Was You" is the third single released off Sharleen Spiteri's first solo album Melody. It was originally rumoured to be the second single due to it being on the albums sticker but it turned out to be "Stop, I Don't Love You Anymore", it was later announced to be the third single on Sharleen...
" which were both unpopular in the United Kingdom, missing the UK Top 100, with "Stop, I Don't Love You Anymore" charting at No. 107 and "It Was You" at #178. By 2009, Melody has been certified Gold by the BPI (United Kingdom) with sales of over 100,000.
Spiteri released her second solo studio album The Movie Songbook
The Movie Songbook
The Movie Songbook is the second studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter Sharleen Spiteri. It was released on 1 March 2010. The album consists of film song covers, chosen and recorded by Spiteri herself in 2009.- Reception :...
which consists of movie covers chosen by Spiteri herself was released on 1 March 2010. The albums lead single "Xanadu" was released in February 2010, and charted at No. 71 on the UK Singles Chart in March 2010. As for the album, it charted at No. 13 on the UK Album Charts on 7 March 2010, thus becoming Spiteri's second UK Top 40 album as a soloist, and her seventh UK Top 40 album both as a soloist and a member of Texas. To promote the album, she performed in front of 55,000 fans supporting Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
on his Up and Coming Tour
Up and Coming Tour
The Up and Coming Tour is a concert tour by Paul McCartney. The tour began on March 28, 2010, at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona , included two concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California, following with concerts in Miami and San Juan, the latter marking McCartney's first...
at Glasgow's
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
.
Spiteri appeared as a judge in the Sky1 show Must Be The Music
Must Be The Music (TV series)
Must Be the Music was a British television musical talent competition contested by aspiring singers and musicians drawn from public auditions. The show was a music competition and reality show that was broadcast in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Auditions were held in Edinburgh,...
.
Filmography
Spiteri landed the part of a detectiveDetective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
opposite Edward Furlong
Edward Furlong
Edward Walter Furlong is an American actor whose best known film roles are John Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Daniel Vinyard in American History X. He is a two-time Saturn Award nominee, winning the 1992 Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor for his performance in...
in the thriller Three Blind Mice, but backed out due to pregnancy. She was also cast in Moulin Rouge!
Moulin Rouge!
Moulin Rouge! is a 2001 romantic jukebox musical film directed, produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann. Following the Red Curtain Cinema principles, the film is based on the Orphean myth, La Traviata, and La Bohème...
starring Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Mary Kidman, AC is an American-born Australian actress, singer, film producer, spokesmodel, and humanitarian. After starring in a number of small Australian films and TV shows, Kidman's breakthrough was in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm...
and Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor
Ewan Gordon McGregor is a Scottish actor. He has had success in mainstream, indie, and art house films. McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting , young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy , and poet Christian in the...
, but she told Jonathan Ross
Jonathan Ross (television presenter)
Jonathan Stephen Ross, OBE is an English television and radio presenter, best known for presenting the BBC One chat show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross from 2001 until he left the BBC in 2010. Ross began hosting a new chat show on ITV1 starting 3 September 2011...
on his show on 4 November 2005 that she declined because she did not want to move to Australia for a year.
In 2011, she appeared in the French TV show X Factor
X Factor (France)
X Factor is a French television music talent show to find new singing talent after public auditions, intermediate tests, and live shows.The first series was broadcast on Mondays, from September to December 2009, on W9 and RTL-TVI ....
with Henri Padovani who was managing groups for the competition.
Lesbian fan base
Spiteri has a large lesbian fanbase, though her own sexual orientation is heterosexual.When Texas released their debut single, "I Don't Want a Lover", in 1989, Spiteri was adamant that she didn't want a 'girly' image and insisted on 'Big E' Levi jeans and a denim jacket. She wrote and performed the title track to the 1990s sitcom Ellen, and once appeared alongside Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen Lee DeGeneres is an American stand-up comedienne, television host and actress. She hosts the syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and was also a judge on American Idol for one year, having joined the show in its ninth season....
in the opening credits.
Additionally, according to an article in the Scottish tabloid Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail (Scotland)
The Sunday Mail is a Scottish tabloid newspaper published every Sunday. It is the sister paper of the Daily Record and is owned by Trinity Mirror and as such has a left-wing outlook which in turn tends to guide Scottish political debate in that direction.The Sunday Mail is read by over one million...
, Spiteri's song "Don't Keep Me Waiting" (from the Melody
Melody (Sharleen Spiteri album)
Melody is the debut solo album from Scottish Texas lead singer, Sharleen Spiteri. It was released on July 14. 2008 and went straight to #3 in the United Kingdom album charts. The first single from the album was All The Times I Cried.-Background:...
album) will be used in the final season of The L Word
The L Word
The L Word is an American co-production television drama series originally shown on Showtime portraying the lives of a group of lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their friends, family and lovers in the trendy Greater Los Angeles, California city of West Hollywood...
, Showtime's popular drama about a group of lesbians living in West Hollywood
West Hollywood, California
West Hollywood, a city of Los Angeles County, California, was incorporated on November 29, 1984, with a population of 34,399 at the 2010 census. 41% of the city's population is made up of gay men according to a 2002 demographic analysis by Sara Kocher Consulting for the City of West Hollywood...
.
Her latest album, The Movie Songbook, includes at least two romantic songs which have been recorded with the original male-centric lyrics: "What's New, Pussycat?" and "Oh, Pretty Woman
Oh, Pretty Woman
"Oh, Pretty Woman" is a song, released in August 1964, which was a worldwide success for Roy Orbison. Recorded on the Monument Records label in Nashville, Tennessee, it was written by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees. The song spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100...
".
Personal life
Spiteri had a long-term relationship with the editor of ArenaArena (magazine)
Arena was a British monthly men's magazine. The magazine was created in 1986 by Nick Logan, who had started The Face in 1980, to focus on trends in fashion and entertainment. British graphic designer Neville Brody, who had designed The Face, designed Arena's launch appearance.The magazine featured...
magazine, Ashley Heath. The couple have a daughter, Misty Kyd (named after the phrase from the Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
film Play Misty for Me
Play Misty for Me
Play Misty for Me is a 1971 American psychological thriller film, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, in his directorial debut. Jessica Walter and Donna Mills co-star. The original music score was composed by Dee Barton.-Plot:...
and Wild West outlaw Billy the Kid
Billy the Kid
William H. Bonney William H. Bonney William H. Bonney (born William Henry McCarty, Jr. est. November 23, 1859 – c. July 14, 1881, better known as Billy the Kid but also known as Henry Antrim, was a 19th-century American gunman who participated in the Lincoln County War and became a frontier...
), born on 9 September 2002. The birth prompted her close friend Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...
to dedicate a goal to her daughter by revealing the slogan "For the new born Kyd" beneath his shirt later that day. The couple separated in the second half of 2004.
She is a patron of children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent
CLIC Sargent
CLIC Sargent is charity in the United Kingdom that was formed by the merger of Sargent Cancer Care for Children and Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood in 2005. The charity specializes in providing support for children with cancer....
.
Discography
- 2008: MelodyMelody (Sharleen Spiteri album)Melody is the debut solo album from Scottish Texas lead singer, Sharleen Spiteri. It was released on July 14. 2008 and went straight to #3 in the United Kingdom album charts. The first single from the album was All The Times I Cried.-Background:...
- 2010: The Movie SongbookThe Movie SongbookThe Movie Songbook is the second studio album by Scottish singer-songwriter Sharleen Spiteri. It was released on 1 March 2010. The album consists of film song covers, chosen and recorded by Spiteri herself in 2009.- Reception :...