Texas (band)
Encyclopedia
Texas are a 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...

 pop band from Bearsden
Bearsden
Bearsden ) is a town in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland. It lies on the northwestern fringe of Greater Glasgow, approximately from the City Centre, and is effectively a suburb, with housing development coinciding with the introduction of a railway line in 1863, and from where the town gets its name...

, near Glasgow
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...

, Scotland. They were founded by 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...

 (formerly of the bands Altered Images
Altered Images
Altered Images were an early 1980s Scottish New Wave / post-punk band. Led by lead singer Clare Grogan, the band branched into mainstream pop music, and had a string of chart hits between 1981 and 1983.-Early career:...

 and Hipsway
Hipsway
Hipsway were a Scottish pop/rock band.The band was formed in Glasgow in 1984 by ex-Altered Images guitarist Johnny McElhone on bass, and featuring Grahame Skinner , and Harry Travers . Skinner and Travers had been members of the band Kites with Paul McGrath and Ian McGreevy before Hipsway formed...

) in 1986 and feature Sharleen Spiteri
Sharleen Spiteri
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...

 on lead vocals. Texas made their performing debut in March 1988 at Scotland's University of Dundee
University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is a university based in the city and Royal burgh of Dundee on eastern coast of the central Lowlands of Scotland and with a small number of institutions elsewhere....

. They took their name from the 1984 Wim Wenders
Wim Wenders
Ernst Wilhelm "Wim" Wenders is a German film director, playwright, author, photographer and producer.-Early life:Wenders was born in Düsseldorf. He graduated from high school in Oberhausen in the Ruhr area. He then studied medicine and philosophy in Freiburg and Düsseldorf...

 movie Paris, Texas
Paris, Texas (film)
Paris, Texas is a 1984 drama film directed by Wim Wenders. The screenplay is by L.M. Kit Carson and playwright Sam Shepard, and the distinctive musical score was composed by Ry Cooder. The cinematography is by Robby Müller....

.

The band released 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 1989, along with the 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 was a worldwide success, charting at number eight on the UK Singles Charts and other high charting positions in Europe. Southside debuted at number three in the United Kingdom and eighty-eight on the US Billboard 200
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 album charts. Despite the success of Southside, follow up albums 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...

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...

were less successful in the UK, only charting inside the top forty album charts.

Texas' 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...

(1997) album was one of the best selling albums when released in 1996. To date, it has been certified six-fold platinum in the UK, making it the band's best selling UK album. Their only other album to reach a six-fold platinum certification was 2000's The Greatest Hits. Follow up, 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 also successful, debuting at number one on the UK album charts and being certified triple platinum. Texas would go on to release a further two studio albums, Careful What You Wish For in 2003, and Red Book in 2005, both of which were certified gold in the UK. After the release of Red Book and a tour to support the album's release, Texas entered a self imposed hiatus. Lead singer, Sharleen Spiteri
Sharleen Spiteri
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...

 launched a successful solo career, releasing 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:...

in 2008.

Since their formation in 1986, in 2003 it was confirmed that Texas had sold 20 million copies of their five studio albums released since 1986 until the release of their fifth album, Careful What You Wish For in 2003.

1989–1991: Southside

Texas's first release was an EP in 1989 titled 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....

which failed to chart. Later in 1989, Texas hit the UK Singles Charts 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...

". The song potentially became one of the biggest songs of 1989, charting at No. 8 on the UK Singles Charts. The song charted at No. 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts as well as high positions in various countries worldwide. The song shot Texas to global fame. The with the success of "I Don't Want A Lover", Texas released 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...

, which charted at No. 3 on the UK Album Charts. The album received a fair amount of reviews from critics and became one of the biggest selling albums in 1989. With the success of both "I Don't Want a Lover" and Southside, the band released a second single in April 1989, "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 :...

". The song failed to follow up the international success of "I Don't Want a Lover", only charting at No. 60 on the UK Singles Charts. Unlike the band's first single the song didn't receive as much airplay but the reviews continued to be positive. Although "Thrill has Gone" didn't do so well worldwide, the band still continued to push ahead with the third confirmed release single, titled "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...

". The song was released on 5 August 1989. "Everyday Now" was more successful on the UK Singles Charts, charting at No. 44 but still failed to make the UK Top 40 like "Thrill Has Gone". "Everyday Now" also managed to chart at No. 25 on the French Singles Charts and received a lot more airplay than "Thrill Has Gone". Although "Everyday Now" continued to fail to reach the UK Top 40, hopes were high for Texas and fans and hoped that the next single, "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...

", would turn things around for the band. However, the song became the band's third single to miss the UK Top 40. "Prayer for You" fared worse than both "Everyday Now" and "Thrill Has Gone", only managing No. 73 on the UK Singles Charts. "Thrill Has Gone" is Texas's second-worse UK Chart position after the 1991 single "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 #74. After this, Texas bagan work on their second studio album.

1991–1993: Mothers Heaven

In early 1991, to help promote the band's upcoming second album, Texas released a promotional EP titled Extracts from Mothers Heaven. The release comprised four tracks which are included on the parent album. In 1991, Texas hoped that they would return to the UK Top 40 with their first single from 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...

. "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 :...

" was released in 1991 and failed to chart the UK Top 40 but managed No. 66 on the UK Charts. The song didn't receive as much airplay in the UK or any EU countries, as the band had received in 1989 with the singles from Southside. Even though the band had not been in the UK Top 40 since the release of "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...

" in 1989, the band still went ahead with their second album, which ultimately provided as the band's lowest UK album chart position to date, only charting at #32. However, reviews were mostly positive. The album charted at No. 11 in France, No. 15 in Spain and No. 35 in Sweden. Even though the releases of both Mothers Heaven and "Why Believe in You" were not great commercial successes for the band, they continued to release more singles from Mothers Heaven. The next release, "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...

", became Texas's lowest and worst-charting UK chart peak to date, managing No. 74 on the UK Singles Charts and receiving little radio airplay. In 1992, just as Texas were getting the feeling that it was time to drop music after their last five singles had failed to make the UK Top 40, the band's third single from Mothers Heaven was released in 1992. "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...

" charted at No. 32 on the UK Singles Charts, making their UK Top 40 comeback since 1989. The song went on to receive significantly more airplay than its two predecessors.

1993–1996: Ricks Road

1993 Texas returned with confidence after charting the UK Top 40 since 1989 with the 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 :...

", released in September 1993. The song received a strong amount of radio airplay and received fair reviews. The song charted at No. 30 on the UK Singles Charts meaning the song managed to continue on the UK Top 40 success that "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...

" had done. With the UK Top 40 success continuing; Texas released their third album titled 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...

, the album charted at No. 18 on the UK Album Charts succeeding to do better than their second album Mothers Heaven. A Third single from the album just made the UK Top 40 at #39; "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...

" was released in October 1993. The music video for the track "You Owe It All to Me" was directed by Dani Jacobs
Dani Jacobs
-Background:Jacobs was born in London. He went to University of Manchester to study Physics but left to pursue his interests in Film.He worked at the The Haçienda nightclub as a resident filmmaker and VJ, creating visuals and lighting effects to project in the club space...

. It was filmed in Arizona and features Sharleen Spiteri and Ally McErlaine filmed in the style of a road movie with the pair encountering another version of themselves along the way. In February 1994; Texas 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...

", the third single from 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...

. The song charted at No. 28 on the UK Singles Charts doing better than the previous two singles released from the album.

1997–1999: White on Blonde

Following an endorsement by then Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...

 presenter Chris Evans on his Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...

 show TFI Friday
TFI Friday
TFI Friday is an entertainment show broadcast on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom from 1996 to 2000. The show produced by Ginger Productions, written by Danny Baker and hosted by Chris Evans, for the first 5 series. The final series was hosted by a number of Guest Presenters. It was broadcast on...

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 Charts 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 bands biggest charting UK Singles (the bands third UK Top 10 single at that point) charting at No. 10 on the UK Singles Charts. 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 Charts 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 Charts. 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 Charts. 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...

. Following on the success of "Say What You want", Texas released a remixed version of the song featuring rapper Method Man
Method Man
Clifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...

 from the Wu Tang Clan as a double A sided single with "Insane" which became the final single to be lifted from the album. It managed to peak at number 4 in the UK charts back in March 1998.

1999–2000: The Hush

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 band's second highest charting single in the United Kingdom, debuting at No. 4 on the UK Singles Charts. 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 release 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 album's second week it dropped two 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 band's seventh 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 releases 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 single (including their UK Top 10 Singles). The song charted at No. 12 on the UK Singles Charts 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.

2000–2005: The Greatest Hits and Careful What You Wish For

In 2000; Texas released their debut greatest hits album; The Greatest Hits on 23 October 2000. The albums lead single "In Demand
In 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 Charts 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 Charts, 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 lead singer Sharleen Spiteri
Sharleen Spiteri
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...

 dressed as Elvis in his famous black leather suit and using prosthetics to resemble Elvis. It begins with Sharleen/Elvis turning on a TV (probably to see "the show", i.e. the video clip), then she/he begins to sing. 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). In some scenes, she switches from her Elvis costume to another black leather outfit (without prosthetics). 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 one of the scenes, Sharleen (as Elvis) sings along with Sharleen. It is often assumed this scene represents Elvis and Priscilla Presley
Priscilla Presley
Priscilla Presley is an American actress and businesswoman. She is the ex-wife of singer Elvis Presley, and the mother of singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley....

.

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 Charts, 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 Charts and only remained in the UK Top 100 for another two weeks. However the song seems to have had a revival and, as of 7 August 2010, is the band's most viewed track on youtube.

2005–2007: Red Book

The band returned in mid-2005 with the single "Getaway", which entered the UK Singles Charts 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 Resist
Can'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 song received a fair amount of radio play in the UK. The bands 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 album also charted at high positions in many European countries. The bands 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 Charts 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:...

 and the video featured comedian Peter Kay
Peter Kay
Peter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...

. On 21 February 2006 a promo only single "What About Us" was released.

2007–2009: The BBC Sessions and hiatus

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 Sharleen 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, lead singer Sharleen 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...

: "Take My Breath Away
Take My Breath Away
American pop singer Jessica Simpson covered "Take My Breath Away" and released it as the third single from the album In This Skin in 2004. Her version was produced by Billy Mann. Simpson chose to cover this song because she felt that it was the theme song of her relationship with her then husband,...

" and "Xanadu
Xanadu
-Description of Xanadu by Toghon Temur :The lament of Toghon Temur Khan , concerning the loss of Daidu and Heibun Shanduu in 1368, is recorded in many Mongolian historical chronicles...

". Sharleen's 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

2009 – present: McErlaine's collapse, new album and 2011 tour

On 8 September 2009 Ally McErlaine was hospitalized after he collapsed with a massive brain aneurysm at the age of 40. By February, 2010 he was well down the road to recovery, as reported by bandmate Sharleen 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."

After McErlaine surviving his collapse, of which 80% of the people who suffer it has died, Texas reunited for the first time since 2005. Texas embarked on a tour in Summer 2011 and lead singer Spiteri appeared on Popstar to Operastar
Popstar to Operastar
Popstar to Operastar is a British television programme singing competition based around the training of pop stars of current to be able to sing opera. The show began airing on ITV on 15 January 2010 at 9pm. The show is repeated on TV3 Ireland on Saturday evening. The programme is produced by...

on 12 June 2011 singing a version of the band's 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...

". Prior to this, Texas had played at the Den Fynskye Landsby Festival in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...

. At the festival, they debuted a new track "The Conversation" which marked the first time the track has been played outside their native Glasgow
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...

.

Ms. Spiteri was also invited to make a series of cameo appearances, all of which involved film scores: she sang Yvonne Elliman's "If I Can't Have You" for a Saturday Night Fever tribute concert and duetted with Italian singer Mauro Gioia on the "Love Theme from The Godfather". Spiteri said "That led to this [forthcoming Texas] album," she tells me. "But I don't see it as a covers album – I didn't want it to sound like karaoke." The new Texas album was planned for release in November 2011 but has since been pushed back to 2012; that, says Spiteri, who began writing songs while a hairdresser in Glasgow, might not be a bad thing. "I'm painfully protective about Texas and singing in that band has come to define me. But it's good to have a break and to have a life outside the band. We'll be back when the time is right."

Hiatus project's

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 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:...

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 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 will be 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,...

.

Current members

  • Sharleen Spiteri
    Sharleen Spiteri
    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...

     – Vocals and guitar (1988— )
  • Tony McGovern – vocals and guitar (1999— )
  • 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...

     – guitar (1988— )
  • 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 (1988— )
  • Eddie Campbell – keyboards (1991— )
  • 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.....

     – keyboards (2005— )
  • Neil Payne – drums (2003— )

Discography

  • 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...

    (1989)
  • 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...

    (1991)
  • 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...

    (1993)
  • 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...

    (1997)
  • 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...

    (1999)
  • Careful What You Wish For (2003)
  • Red Book (2005)
  • TBA (2012)

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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