Lyrical Lanarkshire tops pop list

Jesus and Mary Chain are among the songwriters from Lanarkshire

Lanarkshire has produced more new songwriting talent last year than anywhere else in Scotland, according to the performance royalty list.

Almost 100 composers, songwriters and publishers from the region, which includes Glasgow, signed up with the Performing Rights Society (PRS).

Midlothian, which includes Edinburgh, came second in the chart, with 38 new members joining since May 2007.

Famous acts from Lanarkshire include Jesus and Mary Chain and Hue and Cry.

The PRS, which ensures songwriters are paid royalties when their music is used, said its membership had increased rapidly across the UK in the past year.

There's a real romance and melancholy on the west coast. It might be something to do with the rain DJ Vic Galloway

Myles Keller, membership development manager, said: "Over the last year, PRS membership has swelled to over 60,000 members, helped in part by the significant number of Lanarkshire-based songwriters who have joined our ranks."

BBC Radio 1 and Scotland DJ Vic Galloway said the west of Scotland had a strong track record of songwriting talent, pointing to bands such as Jesus and Mary Chain, which formed in East Kilbride, and Teenage Fan Club, originally from Bellshill.

He said: "It doesn't surprise me one iota what the PRS have found.

"There's a real history of songwriting and music in Scotland that goes back hundreds of years.

"The west coast seems to be really strong for music, maybe it's something to do with its large population, and the influence of Ireland and the US.

"There's a real romance and melancholy on the west coast. It might be something to do with the rain."

A total of 96 songwriters, publishers and composers from Lanarkshire have become members of the PRS since May last year.