Sounds of the City: 12 well known songs that are about Birmingham
These are 12 of the best songs about Birmingham
Birmingham and the West Midlands has always been a major centre for great music.
With the likes of ELO, Ocean Colour Scene, Lady Leshurr, Laura Mvula, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, Brum has produced many top artists over the years.
But which songs are actually about the people and the city itself? Some of these tunes will take you back to the Brum of old with others still ringing true.
Take a look at the 11 songs which we’ve picked out that are about Birmingham.
1. Electric Light Orchestra - Birmingham Blues
One of the UK’s biggest bands, ELO’s members, including Jeff Lynne, are from Birmingham. Their song Birmingham Blues is about missing the city. The lyrics go: “Yes, I’ve been long-gone And boy, I’ve got the Birmingham Blues.”
2. The Pogues - Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six
“Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six” is a political song by punk rockers The Pogues. The second part of the song, written and sung by Shane MacGowan, is a demonstration of support to the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four who were sentenced to life in prison following the Birmingham bombings. Their convictions were declared unsafe and unsatisfactory and quashed in1991
3. Pato Banton
The song Handsworth Riots was written in reference to the second riots that took place in the Handsworth in 1985. The tune includes the lyrics: “What was the riot for? Please give me an answer.”
4. Stree Pulse -Handsworth Revolution
This is the debut album by reggae band Steel Pulse. The group grew up and played in Handsworth, with the title track about the Birmingham district