#1 McAlmont & Butler - Yes
It could have been Snow Patrol's 'Just Say Yes' (their belated answer song to the cast of Grange Hill*), but that's a bit boring. Instead we're ending with a massive, joyous 'Yes', which is what I hope Scotland wakes up to on Friday, if that's what they want too. You won't find words like 'should' and 'must' in my discussions of the referendum. It's another country's election and it's up to the people in Scotland to determine their own future. I'm happy that the referendum campaign has seemingly set in motion an unstoppable force for more local accountability in the other parts of the UK, whatever the results, and that's long overdue. Thank you, Scotland..
I can only say that I would be voting for independence in any independence referendum, because I believe in democracy being as local as is practical and in giving people a democratic say in their own future. I would be looking to Estonia as an example of a successful, small country and aspiring to be governed by the people that my own country votes for.
Whatever the result on Friday, we could do with the campaigners in Scotland to come down and give us a hand to wake people up before the general election in May. With 97% voter registration and a turnout which should be well over 80%, plus the long-overdue enfranchisement of 16 and 17 year-olds, we can only look on in awe at how successful this campaign has been and how engaged the people of Scotland have become. I wish them well.
"Yes, I do feel better. Yes I do, I feel alright."
* Not really.
Wednesday 17 September 2014
Chig's Referendum Countdown - Number 2
#2 The Proclaimers - Cap In Hand
It was only last week that I remembered this song again, when it made number 6 in the Official Scottish Chart (plus #62 in the UK chart and #47 in the UK 'sales only' chart). It's the second track on The Proclaimers 'Sunshine On Leith' album, which I've had since its release in 1988. It doesn't get played much these days(!), so I'd forgotten what a powerful pro-independence song it is, here with a video from the Yes campaign. Still relevant after all these years, just a little less so since devolution, as the twins themselves say in one of the live videos of this on YouTube.
It was only last week that I remembered this song again, when it made number 6 in the Official Scottish Chart (plus #62 in the UK chart and #47 in the UK 'sales only' chart). It's the second track on The Proclaimers 'Sunshine On Leith' album, which I've had since its release in 1988. It doesn't get played much these days(!), so I'd forgotten what a powerful pro-independence song it is, here with a video from the Yes campaign. Still relevant after all these years, just a little less so since devolution, as the twins themselves say in one of the live videos of this on YouTube.
Chig's Referendum Countdown - Number 3
#3 Take That - Do What U Like
A few months ago, when David Cameron finally realised there was a referendum coming up and he should do something about it, he urged 'us' in the rest of the UK to "send a message" to Scotland to tell them what we thought about the referendum.
So, because I am a dutiful citizen, I did, via the medium of twitter. It said something like, "David Cameron has asked us to tell Scotland what we think about the referendum, so here goes. [Clears throat.] 'Do what you like'."
That tweet became one of the most popular I've ever sent and was retweeted loads of times, by both Yes and No supporters. It still sums up my attitude to the referendum. I know how I'd be voting if I lived in Scotland and I realise that the knock-on effects do affect all of us (hopefully with increased democracy in England, Wales and Northern Ireland), but I'm not going to tell people in Scotland how to vote. (They wouldn't take any notice anyway.) It's their decision.
And apart from that, this is an excuse to see Take That's leather, jelly and bums vid again.
A few months ago, when David Cameron finally realised there was a referendum coming up and he should do something about it, he urged 'us' in the rest of the UK to "send a message" to Scotland to tell them what we thought about the referendum.
So, because I am a dutiful citizen, I did, via the medium of twitter. It said something like, "David Cameron has asked us to tell Scotland what we think about the referendum, so here goes. [Clears throat.] 'Do what you like'."
That tweet became one of the most popular I've ever sent and was retweeted loads of times, by both Yes and No supporters. It still sums up my attitude to the referendum. I know how I'd be voting if I lived in Scotland and I realise that the knock-on effects do affect all of us (hopefully with increased democracy in England, Wales and Northern Ireland), but I'm not going to tell people in Scotland how to vote. (They wouldn't take any notice anyway.) It's their decision.
And apart from that, this is an excuse to see Take That's leather, jelly and bums vid again.
Chig's Referendum Countdown - Number 4
#4 Sting - If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free
"You can't control an independent heart."
Chig's Referendum Countdown - Number 5
#5 Lulu - Independence
FACTOID: Only two artists have had Top 40 hits in the UK with the word 'independence' in the title. (Virtual point for the first person to name the other one!)
Lulu wins out in this battle by virtue of being Scottish, even though the other track is a work of brilliance.
"I want my independence. I want my freedom, right now."
FACTOID: Only two artists have had Top 40 hits in the UK with the word 'independence' in the title. (Virtual point for the first person to name the other one!)
Lulu wins out in this battle by virtue of being Scottish, even though the other track is a work of brilliance.
"I want my independence. I want my freedom, right now."
Chig's Referendum Countdown - Number 6
#6 Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime
Okay, it's only the title that's relevant to the referendum.
The title may not even be that relevant if there's another referendum in two years.
But still, it's a brilliant song.
Okay, it's only the title that's relevant to the referendum.
The title may not even be that relevant if there's another referendum in two years.
But still, it's a brilliant song.
Chig's Referendum Countdown - Number 7
#7 Devo - Jocko Homo
At first glance, this may seem an irrelevant and controversial choice, as if I'm just throwing in some gay stuff for the sake of it. Alas, it is not a song about a Scottish gay. It's about.... Well, I still have no clue after 30 odd years what it's about, because Devo were flippin' weird, but it does include the line;
"Are we not men? We are Devo."
You try finding another song which even vaguely references Devo Max.
At first glance, this may seem an irrelevant and controversial choice, as if I'm just throwing in some gay stuff for the sake of it. Alas, it is not a song about a Scottish gay. It's about.... Well, I still have no clue after 30 odd years what it's about, because Devo were flippin' weird, but it does include the line;
"Are we not men? We are Devo."
You try finding another song which even vaguely references Devo Max.
Chig's Referendum Countdown - Number 8
#8 Destiny's Child - No, No, No (Part 1)
Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle have somehow acquired a vote each, and they're making it clear how they intend to use it.
They have also recorded No, No, No (Part 2), so they must be anticipating a re-run as well.
Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle have somehow acquired a vote each, and they're making it clear how they intend to use it.
They have also recorded No, No, No (Part 2), so they must be anticipating a re-run as well.
Chig's Referendum Countdown - Number 9
#9 Elvis Presley - It's Now Or Never
(Or in two years, when we might do it all again after the UK's EU referendum,)
(Or you could just vote Yes now.)
(Or in two years, when we might do it all again after the UK's EU referendum,)
(Or you could just vote Yes now.)
Chig's Referendum Countdown - Number 10
#10 That Petrol Emotion - Big Decision
Mainly because this is brilliant (and never even made the UK top 40).
"What you`ve gotta do in this day and age; you gotta agitate, educate and organise."
Mainly because this is brilliant (and never even made the UK top 40).
"What you`ve gotta do in this day and age; you gotta agitate, educate and organise."
Chig's Referendum Countdown - Number 11
#11 JLS - One Shot
Political pundits JLS (Jocks Love Scotland) really hit the nail on the head with this summary of the referendum;
"You only get one shot, so make it count. You might never get this moment again."
Although, if you believe the journalist who was on the Daily Politics today, Scotland will get chance to do it all over again, if there's a yes vote this week (after the UK referendum takes us out of the EU but Scotland wants to stay in). JLS have now split up, so will be unable to address this point in any future singles.
Political pundits JLS (Jocks Love Scotland) really hit the nail on the head with this summary of the referendum;
"You only get one shot, so make it count. You might never get this moment again."
Although, if you believe the journalist who was on the Daily Politics today, Scotland will get chance to do it all over again, if there's a yes vote this week (after the UK referendum takes us out of the EU but Scotland wants to stay in). JLS have now split up, so will be unable to address this point in any future singles.
Chig's Referendum Countdown - Number 12
#12 The Ronettes - (The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up
"The best part of breaking up is when you know that you're making up with me."
Phil Spector had the foresight to realise that, even after Scottish independence, the rest of us will still want to go to the Edinburgh Festival.
"The best part of breaking up is when you know that you're making up with me."
Phil Spector had the foresight to realise that, even after Scottish independence, the rest of us will still want to go to the Edinburgh Festival.
Chig's Referendum Countdown - Number 13
#13 George Michael - Freedom '90
"All we have to do now, is take these lies and make them true somehow."
If that doesn't sum up political campaigning, I don't know what does.
"All we have to do now, is take these lies and make them true somehow."
If that doesn't sum up political campaigning, I don't know what does.
Chig's Referendum Countdown - Number 14
#14 Yazoo - Don't Go
The actual views of the Franco-Essex duo on independence remain unknown at the time of writing (although Alison's family were probably quite keen on the revolutionary aspects of it in 1789).
The actual views of the Franco-Essex duo on independence remain unknown at the time of writing (although Alison's family were probably quite keen on the revolutionary aspects of it in 1789).
Chig's referendum countdown begins! Number 15
You know what this referendum campaign has been missing (said no one at all)? A countdown of poptabulous referendum songs! So, let's put that right for the rest of today. It's time for Chig's referendum countdown! (All shades of political opinion will be represented. I'm not stupid.) There are more songs about the referendum than you might think.(Snigger.)
Kicking off our top 15 with.... number 15.
Let's get the bleedin' obvious one out of the way. It's the one that must have earnt the surviving members of The Clash more money this month in TV royalties than in the 32 years since it was released.
"Darling, you've got to let me know - should I stay or should I go?"
#15 The Clash - Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
Kicking off our top 15 with.... number 15.
Let's get the bleedin' obvious one out of the way. It's the one that must have earnt the surviving members of The Clash more money this month in TV royalties than in the 32 years since it was released.
"Darling, you've got to let me know - should I stay or should I go?"
#15 The Clash - Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
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