Justin Currie and Del Amitri: Top 40 Songs

Justin Currie/Del Amitri Top 40 Songs

This was originally posted on December 11, 2019 in celebration of Justin Currie’s birthday. He was born December 11, 1964 in Glasgow, Scotland. The singer/songwriter was best known for fronting Del Amitri from 1980 to 2002. He then fronted the short-lived Uncle Devil Show before striking out as a solo artist. This list has been updated and is being reposted in honor of the upcoming new Del Amitri album – their first in 19 years! Click here to see other best-of lists from performers and here to see other best-of lists from songwriters and/or producers. You can also check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast based on this list.

Awards:

Top 40 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. The recording artists for each song are indicated with the following codes: DA = Del Amitri, JC = Justin Currie, UD = Uncle Devil Show. DMDB Top 10%: 1. Kiss This Thing Goodbye (DA, 1989) 2. Always the Last to Know (DA, 1992) 3. Roll to Me (DA, 1995) DMDB Top 20%: 4. Nothing Ever Happens (DA, 1989) Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 5. Move Away Jimmy Blue (DA, 1989) 6. Not Where It’s At (DA, 1997) 7. Driving with the Brakes On (DA, 1995) 8. The Return of Maggie Brown (DA, 1989) 9. Just Like a Man (DA, 1992) 10. Be My Downfall (DA, 1992) 11. Jesus Saves (DA, 2002) 12. Every Song’s the Same (JC, 2013) 13. Hey Polly (JC, 2017) 14. Tell Her This (DA, 1995) 15. The Fight to Be Human (JC, 2010) 16. Just Before You Leave (DA, 2002) 17. The Whole World Is Quiet (DA, 1992) 18. Food for Songs (DA, 1995) 19. Gilbert O’Sullivan (UD, 2004) 20. Sticks and Stones Girl (DA, 1985) 21. This Side of the Morning (DA, 1989) 22. Some Other Sucker’s Parade (DA, 1997) 23. When You Were Young (DA, 1992) 24. Former Owner (DA, 1985) 25. In Ignorant Heaven (DA, 1985) 26. Cry to Be Found (DA, 1998) 27. A Matter of Time (Heard Through a Wall) (DA, 1985) 28. Empty (DA, 1989) 29. Bimbo in the Limo (UD, 2004) 30. A Drunk in a Band (DA, 2002) 31. Bend to My Will (JC, 2013) 32. She Cuts Her Own Fringe (UD, 2004) 33. What Is Love For? (JC, 2007) 34. Close Your Eyes and Think of England (DA, 2020) 35. Failing to See (JC, 2017) 36. This Is My Kingdom Now (JC, 2017) 37. Hammering Heart (DA, 1985) 38. Little Stars (JC, 2013) 39. You’re Gone (DA, 1989) 40. A Man with Nothing to Do (JC, 2010) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Performers” Dave’s Music Database: “Best-of Lists for Songwriters and/or Producers First posted 12/24/2019; last updated 6/1/2021.

Del Amitri charted with “Kiss This Thing Goodbye”

Kiss This Thing Goodbye Del Amitri

Writer(s): Justin Currie, Iain Harvie, Mick Slaven (see lyrics here) Released: July 1989 First Charted: August 19, 1989 Peak: 35 US, 35 CB, 28 RR, 17 AR, 13 MR, 43 UK, 28 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 0.32 video, 3.36 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: Del Amitri were a Scottish band who got their start in the ‘80s. From then until their final release in 2002, they never featured the same lineup on any two records. WK Only singer/songwriter Justin Currie and guitarist/songwriter Iain Harvie appeared on all their albums and keyboardist Andy Alston proved a stable member, having been with the band from 1989 on. While a changing lineup would certainly produce a different sound each time out, it was never more marked than it was from their 1985 self-titled debut to 1989’s Waking Hours. On the latter album, the band eschewed the post-punk sound of the first album for what was arguably “Del Amitri’s first ‘mature’ record.” WK They also found their first taste of mainstream success. In the U.K., they recached #11 with “Nothing Ever Happens,” and then they hit the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 when “Kiss This Thing Goodbye” saw a re-release as a single. This time, they hit the top 40 and also took the song to the top 20 of the album rock and modern rock charts. In the U.S., they only hit the top 40 two more times – with 1992’s “Always the Last to Know” (#30) and 1995’s “Roll to Me” (#10), but they scored fifteen top-40 hits in the U.K. Songfacts.com describes it as “one of the more resigned break-up songs, about a relationship that is not working and never will. The couple can barely even stand to share the same space, so there’s no point in prolonging the end of it.” SF The music, however, betrays the gloomy lyrical theme with its poppy, upbeat feel. On a personal note, I repurposed the song in the early ‘90s. I played it (then on a car tape deck) as a farewell to my first car – a used Mustang – when I bought a brand spankin’ new Grand Am. Resources: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Del Amitri SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 12/24/2019; last updated 10/30/2022.