White on Blonde
Encyclopedia
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. White On Blonde additionally came the band's first number one album in the UK, and was their second UK top ten album after Southside
(1989).
", "Halo
", "Black Eyed Boy
" and "Put Your Arms Around Me
" and a remix version of "Say What You Want" which was re-titled "Insane/Say What You Want (All Day Everyday)" which reached #4 on the UK Singles Charts.
As of June 2011, White On Blonde has been certified six-time fold platinum in the UK, which indicates sales of over one million copies in that territory. The album was also a major success in various Europe
an countries, such as one of Texas's largest-fan bases, France
, where it peaked at #2 on the French Album Charts. Worldwide, sales of White on Blonde are estimated at around 4-5 million copies. The album was produced by the band Texas themselves, along with Mike Hedges, Dave Stewart, Rae, Christian. Engineers include: Texas, Kenny Macdonald, Ian Grimble. Personnel: Texas (programming); Roger Ward (guitar); Anne Stephenson, Chris Pitsillides, Claire Orsler, Claire Miles, Sally Herbert, Sue Dench, Gini Ball (strings); Alex Silva, Terry Disley (keyboards, programming); Paul Anthony Taylor (programming); Steven Granville (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Ian Grimble; Ash Howes; Steve Christian; Texas . Recording information: Chateau De La Rouge Motte, The Church; EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England; Love Net; Shar's House, Parklane Studios. Photographers: Elain Constantine; Juergen Teller.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Eddie Campbell ; Ally McErlaine; Richard Hynd; Johnny McElhone; Sharleen Spiteri. Arrangers: Martin Greene; Texas. Texas: Sharleen Spiteri (vocals, guitar, programming); Ally McErlaine (guitar, programming); Eddie Campbell (keyboards, programming); Johnny McElhone (bass, programming); Richard Hynd (drums, programming). Additional personnel: Roger Ward (guitar); Claire Miles, Anne Stephenson, Sally Herbert, Claire Orsler, Susan Dench, Gini Ball, Chris Pitsillide (strings); Alex Silva, Terry Disley (keyboards, programming); Paul Taylor (programming); Steven Granville (background vocals).
Unexpectedly, Texas became a popular sensation prior to the release of White on Blonde when Chris Evans made the soulful single "Say What You Want" the de facto theme song on his morning program on Radio 1. On the strength of his support, Texas was catapulted to previously unthinkable success, and the majority of the fans who thought the number one single was fine shouldn't have been disappointed with the full-length album. A combination of roots-rock and soul, White on Blonde occasionally has more style than substance, but Sharleen Spiteri's gorgeous vocals and the band's professionalism make the record a charming, ingratiating listen. (by Stephen Thomas Erlewine)
Since it's release, White on Blonde has received many honours since it's release in 1997. It was voted the 86th best album of all time by Q Magazine readers in 1998. Amongst these honours, White on Blonde is also ranked #34 in Q's "Best 50 Albums of Q's Lifetime", Included in Q Magazine's "90 Best Albums Of The 1990s." and Included in Q Magazine's "50 Best Albums of 1997.".
White on Blonde became the first Texas album to top the UK Album Charts. The album was Texas' fourth studio album, and first major charting UK album since Southside
in 1989, when it charted at number three on the UK Charts. The following two albums to follow Southside, Mothers Heaven
and Ricks Road
, charted at thirty-two and eighteen on the UK Album Charts. Up until the release of White on Blonde, the only thing keeping Texas signed to their record label, Mercury
, was their major success in other European countries, especially France
. White on Blonde is one of only two Texas albums (along with The Greatest Hits) to be certified 6x Platinum in the United Kingdom.
and Sharleen Spiteri
, except where noted.
In 2010, White on Blonde was nominated in the BRIT Awards
Best Album in the past 25 years.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by 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...
, released by Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
in 1997. In 1998 Q magazine
Q (magazine)
Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology...
readers voted it the 86th greatest album of all time. White On Blonde additionally came the band's first number one album in the UK, and was their second UK top ten album after 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).
Background and release
The album included the UK Top Ten singles, "Say What You WantSay 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...
", "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...
", "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...
" and "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...
" and a remix version of "Say What You Want" which was re-titled "Insane/Say What You Want (All Day Everyday)" which reached #4 on the UK Singles Charts.
As of June 2011, White On Blonde has been certified six-time fold platinum in the UK, which indicates sales of over one million copies in that territory. The album was also a major success in various Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an countries, such as one of Texas's largest-fan bases, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where it peaked at #2 on the French Album Charts. Worldwide, sales of White on Blonde are estimated at around 4-5 million copies. The album was produced by the band Texas themselves, along with Mike Hedges, Dave Stewart, Rae, Christian. Engineers include: Texas, Kenny Macdonald, Ian Grimble. Personnel: Texas (programming); Roger Ward (guitar); Anne Stephenson, Chris Pitsillides, Claire Orsler, Claire Miles, Sally Herbert, Sue Dench, Gini Ball (strings); Alex Silva, Terry Disley (keyboards, programming); Paul Anthony Taylor (programming); Steven Granville (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Ian Grimble; Ash Howes; Steve Christian; Texas . Recording information: Chateau De La Rouge Motte, The Church; EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England; Love Net; Shar's House, Parklane Studios. Photographers: Elain Constantine; Juergen Teller.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Eddie Campbell ; Ally McErlaine; Richard Hynd; Johnny McElhone; Sharleen Spiteri. Arrangers: Martin Greene; Texas. Texas: Sharleen Spiteri (vocals, guitar, programming); Ally McErlaine (guitar, programming); Eddie Campbell (keyboards, programming); Johnny McElhone (bass, programming); Richard Hynd (drums, programming). Additional personnel: Roger Ward (guitar); Claire Miles, Anne Stephenson, Sally Herbert, Claire Orsler, Susan Dench, Gini Ball, Chris Pitsillide (strings); Alex Silva, Terry Disley (keyboards, programming); Paul Taylor (programming); Steven Granville (background vocals).
Reception
Texas were generally felt to have peaked with their debut album; Rick's Road continued a downward sales spiral, even though it contained some strong material. This album was a pleasant surprise, picking up awards everywhere and still selling in large quantities. For a band who might have been looking over their shoulders, this is a supremely confident album, full of good songs written by the band and, in particular, by Sharleen Spiteri and ex-Altered Image John McElhone. Respectable rock for the 90s, from the full production of tracks such as 'Halo' to the chiming tension created by 'Put Your Arms Around Me'.Unexpectedly, Texas became a popular sensation prior to the release of White on Blonde when Chris Evans made the soulful single "Say What You Want" the de facto theme song on his morning program on Radio 1. On the strength of his support, Texas was catapulted to previously unthinkable success, and the majority of the fans who thought the number one single was fine shouldn't have been disappointed with the full-length album. A combination of roots-rock and soul, White on Blonde occasionally has more style than substance, but Sharleen Spiteri's gorgeous vocals and the band's professionalism make the record a charming, ingratiating listen. (by Stephen Thomas Erlewine)
Honours and success
Unexpectedly, Texas became a popular sensation prior to the release of White on Blonde when Chris Evans made the soulful single "Say What You Want" the de facto theme song on his morning program on Radio 1. On the strength of his support, Texas was catapulted to previously unthinkable success, and the majority of the fans who thought the number one single was fine shouldn't have been disappointed with the full-length album. A combination of roots-rock and soul, White on Blonde occasionally has more style than substance, but Sharleen Spiteri's gorgeous vocals and the band's professionalism make the record a charming, ingratiating listen.Since it's release, White on Blonde has received many honours since it's release in 1997. It was voted the 86th best album of all time by Q Magazine readers in 1998. Amongst these honours, White on Blonde is also ranked #34 in Q's "Best 50 Albums of Q's Lifetime", Included in Q Magazine's "90 Best Albums Of The 1990s." and Included in Q Magazine's "50 Best Albums of 1997.".
White on Blonde became the first Texas album to top the UK Album Charts. The album was Texas' fourth studio album, and first major charting UK album since 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, when it charted at number three on the UK Charts. The following two albums to follow Southside, 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...
, charted at thirty-two and eighteen on the UK Album Charts. Up until the release of White on Blonde, the only thing keeping Texas signed to their record label, Mercury
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
, was their major success in other European countries, especially France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. White on Blonde is one of only two Texas albums (along with The Greatest Hits) to be certified 6x Platinum in the United Kingdom.
Track listing
All tracks written by Johnny McElhoneJohnny 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...
and 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...
, except where noted.
Personnel
- Sharleen Spiteri – Vocals, GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Ally McErlaine – Guitar
- Eddie Campbell – KeyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Richard Hynd – DrumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s - Johnny McElhone – Bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Roger Ward – Guitar
- Paul Taylor – ProgrammingProgramming (music)Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
- Alex Silva – Programming, KeyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Terry Disley – Programming, Keyboards
- Martin Greene – Strings (Arrangement)
- Claire Miles – Strings
- Anne Stephenson – Strings
- Sally Herbert – Strings
- Claire Orsler – Strings
- Susan Dench – Strings
- Gini Ball – Strings
- Chris Pitsillide – Strings
- Steven Granville – Backing vocals
Awards, nominations and honours
- Ranked #34 in Q's "Best 50 Albums of Q's Lifetime"
- "The late-'90s album: shiny, sparkly and brimming with humor and tunes..."
- Included in Q Magazine's "90 Best Albums Of The 1990s."
- Included in Q Magazine's "50 Best Albums of 1997."
In 2010, White on Blonde was nominated in the BRIT Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
Best Album in the past 25 years.
Chart performance
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
1 |
| Australian Albums Chart | 25 |
| Austraian Albums Chart Austria Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the... |
32 |
| Netherlands Albums Chart MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
21 |
| New Zealand Albums Chart New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... |
36 |
| Norwegian Albums Chart Norway Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million... |
17 |
| Swedish Albums Chart Sweden Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... |
12 |
| Switzerland Albums Chart Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
25 |
| French Albums Chart France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
2 |
| German Albums Chart Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
44 |
| Spanish Albums Chart Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... |
4 |
| Swiss Albums Chart Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... |
12 |
Certifications
- UK: 6× Platinum
- FRA: Platinum
- SWE: Gold
- SWI: Platinum