John Nicolson, the SNP MP for East Dunbartonshire and former TV presenter, nominates his 10 favourite Scottish bands, in the second part of our series.
Mr Nicolson, 54, was formerly a TV presenter and has long been known for his love of music (he plays the harpsichord). He said he had agonised over his choices, telling HeraldScotland: "I found it really tough to choose only 10. I started with a list of about 30. I've chosen bands not just because of the music but because of memories they evoke."
We got the ball rolling with crime writer Ian Rankin, and in the coming weeks and months we'll be asking other notable figures to identify their Top 10 Scottish bands.
And we want to know what you think - do you agree with Mr Nicolson's choices? Tell us in the Comments section at the bottom of this article.
1. Runrig
My top choice has to be Runrig. The band's music is the soundtrack of my university years at Glasgow. I remember countless holidays heading up to the island of Harris, with Donnie Munro's incredible voice and Pete Wishart's amazing keyboard playing pumping out of the speakers as I drove north across Rannoch Moor. There are few more haunting songs than 'The Old Boys.'
Life takes some funny twists and turns. Pete is now my friend and colleague on the SNP benches at Westminster.
And the others (in alphabetical order)...
Belle and Sebastian
I've loved this band for years. They're never predictable. This year's single 'Perfect Couples' calls to mind Talking Heads. And Talking Heads is one of my favourite American bands. But that's for another list...
The Blue Nile
The Blue Nile recorded probably my favourite ever pop album, 'Hats.' It's a sublime piece of writing. I associate it with the first home I ever owned - an old billiards hall at the top of a Victorian building in the west end of Glasgow. I'd not much furniture and the near empty hall's acoustics used to echo to the sound of Paul Buchanan's vocals. To this day whenever I hear the album I think urban, winter, and rooftops.
Capercaillie
I'm the first generation on my father's side of the family not to speak any Gaelic and I've always regretted it - never more so than when I listen to Karen Matheson's soaring melodies.
Deacon Blue
Raintown has never been far from my turntable over the years. I love the album cover. I love the combination of Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh's voices.
Eurythmics
'Here Comes the Rain Again' has me dancing round the kitchen when no one's looking. I seem to have a thing about rain in music. Maybe it's because I'm a Glaswegian.
Hue and Cry
I was at University with Pat Kane and have always thought he has a great voice. He's a jazz singer at heart and I've loved jazz ever since my mum played Annie Ross on our 'Dansette' record player when I was a wee boy.
The Proclaimers
Their totemic anthems are the nation's soundtrack. I interviewed them when I had a show on ITV and they were as modest and likeable in person as they always seem on stage.
The Silencers
Who doesn't love 'Scottish Rain'? Or indeed Scottish rain. There I go talking about rain again.
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
I've been friends with Lawrence Donegan since university. He gave me 'Rattlesnakes' as a present just before I graduated. It was my first cd and I'd to buy a cd player to listen to it. I took it with me to America when I went to university there, and played it endlessly in my cramped room at Harvard. I love 'Perfect Skin'. It's an album of youth and introspection.
And No.11...
Can I have an extra one? Stornoway? They're not from Stornoway. They're not even Scottish. Apparently they just loved the name from the shipping forecast. I've been listening to their new album 'Bonxie' a lot recently. Full marks for both music and band name choice.
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