Dave Stewart, Bobby Knoxall, the Toy Dolls and the Clash have all played their part.Dave Stewart, Bobby Knoxall, the Toy Dolls and the Clash have all played their part.
Dave Stewart, Bobby Knoxall, the Toy Dolls and the Clash have all played their part. | JPIMedia

Mackem melodies: nine of the most memorable songs with Wearside roots

By Tony Gillan
Published 9th Feb 2020, 12:00 GMT
Updated 11th Feb 2020, 12:55 GMT
Eurythmics star Dave Stewart does of course appear in our list. But there are one or two others who might surprise you.

Folk, rock, trip-hop, punk, novelty songs and even symphonies. One way or another, Sunderland has inspired or created some memorable music; even if it wasn’t always memorable for the best of reasons. Here are nine of them, in no particular order.

Dave Stewart, Bobby Knoxall, the Toy Dolls and the Clash have all played their part.

. There's much more to Sunderland music than just one Eurythmic

Dave Stewart, Bobby Knoxall, the Toy Dolls and the Clash have all played their part. | JPIMedia Photo: Sunderland Echo

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The Lambton Worm, seen here devouring 17 year-old Jackie Wood in 1978, was a terrifying giant invertebrate who lived partly on human flesh. Remarkably the song was written in 1867, long before the information could be gathered from Facebook.

. 'The Lambton Worm' - a song based on indisputable historical fact

The Lambton Worm, seen here devouring 17 year-old Jackie Wood in 1978, was a terrifying giant invertebrate who lived partly on human flesh. Remarkably the song was written in 1867, long before the information could be gathered from Facebook. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Sunderland Echo

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Topping the Indie charts in 2008, this classic uplifting rocker is worth listening to for its intro alone. It was used to inspire the team as they ran out at the Stadium of Light. Unfortunately it transpired that no song is THAT good.

. 'The Beginning of the Twist' - Futureheads' finest moment?

Topping the Indie charts in 2008, this classic uplifting rocker is worth listening to for its intro alone. It was used to inspire the team as they ran out at the Stadium of Light. Unfortunately it transpired that no song is THAT good. | JPIMedia Photo: Sunderland Echo

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Janie Jones was born in Seaham in 1941. She was a singer, but is best known as a London madam and for hosting very interesting parties in the 1970s.

. 'Janie Jones' - one of the most famous songs by The Clash is about a Seaham girl

Janie Jones was born in Seaham in 1941. She was a singer, but is best known as a London madam and for hosting very interesting parties in the 1970s. | JPIMedia Photo: Sunderland Echo

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The Lambton Worm, seen here devouring 17 year-old Jackie Wood in 1978, was a terrifying giant invertebrate who lived partly on human flesh. Remarkably the song was written in 1867, long before the information could be gathered from Facebook.

1. 'The Lambton Worm' - a song based on indisputable historical fact

The Lambton Worm, seen here devouring 17 year-old Jackie Wood in 1978, was a terrifying giant invertebrate who lived partly on human flesh. Remarkably the song was written in 1867, long before the information could be gathered from Facebook. | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Sunderland Echo

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Topping the Indie charts in 2008, this classic uplifting rocker is worth listening to for its intro alone. It was used to inspire the team as they ran out at the Stadium of Light. Unfortunately it transpired that no song is THAT good.

2. 'The Beginning of the Twist' - Futureheads' finest moment?

Topping the Indie charts in 2008, this classic uplifting rocker is worth listening to for its intro alone. It was used to inspire the team as they ran out at the Stadium of Light. Unfortunately it transpired that no song is THAT good. | JPIMedia Photo: Sunderland Echo

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Janie Jones was born in Seaham in 1941. She was a singer, but is best known as a London madam and for hosting very interesting parties in the 1970s.

3. 'Janie Jones' - one of the most famous songs by The Clash is about a Seaham girl

Janie Jones was born in Seaham in 1941. She was a singer, but is best known as a London madam and for hosting very interesting parties in the 1970s. | JPIMedia Photo: Sunderland Echo

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Sunderland foursome A Tribe of Toffs had a 1988 hit with this cheerfully barking ditty about a BBC weather forecaster. Lyrical highlights include: 'Ayrton Senna's got the voice of a tenor; Peter Snow sings very low.'

4. 'John Kettley is a Weatherman' - and so is Michael Fish

Sunderland foursome A Tribe of Toffs had a 1988 hit with this cheerfully barking ditty about a BBC weather forecaster. Lyrical highlights include: 'Ayrton Senna's got the voice of a tenor; Peter Snow sings very low.' | PA (Press Association) Photo: Sunderland Echo

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