Eurythmics’ singer and solo artist Annie Lennox has come top of the pops in a chart of the most played Scottish acts this century.
The chart is compiled from music licensing company PPL’s exclusive data for when recorded music is used on TV and on radio and in bars, shops, restaurants, gyms and other public places.
The top three most played acts are dominated by women, with Texas front woman and solo artist Sharleen Spiteri, and KT Tunstall completing the trio. Also rocking into the top ten most played Scottish acts are Wet Wet Wet, Calvin Harris and Franz Ferdinand.
The full top ten is as follows:
TOP TEN MOST PLAYED SCOTTISH ACTS
1) Annie Lennox (solo and Eurythmics)
2) Sharleen Spiteri
3) KT Tunstall
4) Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits)
5) Wet Wet Wet
6) Calvin Harris
7) Paolo Nutini
8) The Fratellis
9) Franz Ferdinand
10) Primal Scream
Commenting on her top placing of the century, eight-time Brit Award winner Annie Lennox said: “I’m astonished to learn that I’m the most played Scottish musical artist of the century. If I’d had any idea that this would be the case when I headed for London over forty years ago, it might have smoothed over some of the rougher patches of the journey!
“As well as having a unique cultural heritage, Scots have a renowned reputation for our powers of innovation in many diverse fields the world over. We are a nation and Diaspora profoundly connected to the passion and soul reflected and expressed through music and music making.
“I am hugely proud of my roots and the country’s impressive musical legacy, so it is a huge honour for me to be recognised, and feel that I have in some way been part of that contribution! My congratulations go to all my fellow countrymen and women featured.”
PPL has revealed the chart as part of their ongoing awareness campaign to help Scottish businesses understand the value of playing recorded music in their business and the legalities and benefits of music licensing. Every business that plays music in their place of work must hold a valid PPL licence which can cost from as little as 19 pence per day. The funds from this licence are distributed by PPL to record companies and performers to pay for their services in providing the music.
Jonathan Morrish, director of PR and corporate communications at PPL said: “Scotland has a wide range of musical talents which this list demonstrates. These artists work hard to produce songs that we want to hear over and over again. We want Scotland’s business to value the work that these artists do and realise that music is a great tool for business.
“We aim to raise understanding about how beneficial playing music can be in keeping customers and staff alike happy, whilst also being legally compliant.”