MUSIC
TEES SOUNDS
Best known hits with a Tees influence
A list that proves that you ’ re listening to the Tees Valley even when you don ’ t know it !
Tubthumping “ I get knocked down but I get up again . You ’ re never gonna keep me down .” The repetitive chorus belted out by anarcho-punk band Chumbawamba ’ s lead singer Dunstan Bruce , born and raised in the Teesside town of Billingham .
A global smash hit that in 1997 reached number two in the UK and number one in Australia , Canada , Italy and Ireland , Tubthumping was written “ to celebrate the resilience and tenacity of working-class folk who keep fighting when the chips are down .”
Say You Won ’ t Let Go A 2017 chart-topper in the UK as well as Australia , New Zealand and Sweden , Say You Won ’ t Let Go was co-written by singer James Arthur , born in Middlesbrough and raised in nearby Redcar .
His second number one single , the song has now sold more than 2.5m copies worldwide , while he ’ s also enjoyed two UK number one albums .
Driving Home for Christmas He ’ s achieved 13 UK top 40 hits , two number one albums and has sold more than 30m albums worldwide during a momentous music career , but this Christmas song remains Middlesbroughborn rock star Chris Rea ’ s most recognised song .
Having written the lyrics while his wife drove him home for the festive season , it was released some years later , reaching a modest chart peak of 53 in 1988 . However , it has since peaked at number 10 , having charted every Christmas since 2007 . It was voted 12th in a poll of the nation ’ s favourite Christmas songs .
All Right Now Globally , they ’ ve sold more than 20m records but All Right Now remains the pivotal moment for blues rockers Free , having reached number two in the UK and number four in the US when first released in 1970 .
It was co-written in around 10 minutes by Free ’ s Middlesbrough-born lead singer Paul Rodgers in the students ’ union building of Durham University following a “ bad gig ”.
Before making it big , Rodgers played in a band with fellow Teessiders Micky Moody ( later of Whitesnake ) and Bruce Thomas ( Elvis Costello and the Attractions ).
The King of Rock ‘ n ’ Roll Described as “ naggingly catchy and knowingly daft ,” The King of Rock ‘ n ’ Roll was pop band Prefab Sprout ’ s biggest hit , reaching number seven in 1988 . It features Middlesbrough-born vocalist , guitarist and keyboard player Wendy Smith , now the head of learning and participation at The Glasshouse , Gateshead .
Prefab Sprout ’ s lead singer Paddy McAloon , who wrote the song , has described himself as " reconciled to being remembered for that song ," describing it as “ a bit like being known for Yellow Submarine rather than Hey Jude ."
Keep on Running A number one hit for The Spencer Davis Group in January 1966 , Keep On Running features Redcar-born Pete York on drums .
York also played on Somebody Help Me , which also topped the UK singles charts later in the same year .
Love is the Drug Roxy Music ’ s Billingham-born musical maestro Eddie Jobson played keyboards on this 1975 UK number two .
The song has been hailed as an early influence on new wave and has been praised for its groove and bassline .
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