Sharlene Spiteri was working as a hairdresser in Glasgow when she decided to switch lanes. Linking up with bassist Johnny McElhone and guitarist Ally McErlaine, they formed Texas. Over the next three years, the band would collect further members Tony McGovern, Eddie Campbell, Michael Bannister and Neil Payne and release a debut EP, Everyday Now. But it was their debut album, arriving in 1989, that would make a success of the band. With lead single ‘I Don’t Want A Lover’ peaking at No.8 on the UK Singles Chart and Southside reaching No.3 on the UK Albums Chart, Texas were already experiencing the kind of commercial success it takes some groups a decade to achieve.
The next few years were busy ones for Texas. Their sophomore album, Mothers Heaven, arrived in 1991, with Ricks Road following in 1993. In-between the two records, in 1992 the group released a cover of the Al Green track ‘Tired Of Being Alone’, which was a Top 20 hit.
Shortly after an endorsement from presenter Chris Evans on TFI Friday in 1997, Texas returned with single ‘Say What You Want’, which was an international chart success. Just a month later in February, they released their fourth studio album, White On Blonde. The record debuted at No.1 on the UK Albums Chart and all five of its singles were Top Ten hits. The group also rereleased their lead single as ‘Say What You Want (All Day, Every Day)’, featuring Wu-Tang Clan.
In 1999 the band released the lead single for their fifth studio album. ‘In Our Lifetime’ went on to be featured in on the Notting Hill soundtrack. The Hush followed in May of that year. Just a year later, Texas released their first compilation album. The Greatest Hits not only featured tracks from throughout their decade-long career, but also included three new songs. One of these, ‘In Demand’, featured Alan Rickman in its music video. The Greatest Hits became the band’s third consecutive album to debut at No.1.
Careful What You Wish For, the band’s sixth album, arrived in 2003, with Red Book following in 2005. ‘Sleep’, the third single from Red Book, featured vocals from Paul Buchanan of the Blue Nile and a music video starring Peter Kay. Following the release of Red Book, Texas went on hiatus, although they did release a collection of radio sessions in 2007. Entitled The BBC Sessions, the album featured liner notes on the performances and interviews with Spiteri.
After McErlaine survived a massive brain aneurysm in 2009, the group agreed to get back in the studio at his request. They returned for a tour in 2011, before officially announcing a new record deal in 2013. The Conversation arrived in May of that year, with the band also announcing another UK tour.
In 2015, to celebrate 25 years of Texas, the group re-recorded some of their biggest hits for a compilation album. Texas 25 featured eight completely reworked Texas tracks along with four new songs. The album’s lead single, ‘Start A Family’, once again featured Alan Rickman in its music video. The group also embarked on the more intimate An Evening With Texas tour, which featured stories about the band alongside their hits.
The group’s ninth studio album, Jump On Board, arrived in 2017 and saw critical and commercial success. Hi, their tenth record, followed in 2021. Two years later, the group released their most comprehensive compilation album to date, The Very Best of 1989-2023. They also played Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage that same year. In September 2023, the band announced a UK tour for 2024.
