Texas are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1986 by singer and guitarist Sharleen Spiteri, bassist Johnny McElhone, and guitarist Ally McErlaine. The group took its name from Wim Wenders' 1984 film Paris, Texas, a reference that reflected their interest in American musical and cinematic imagery rather than any direct connection to the US state. Texas developed a sound that combined alternative rock with pop, soul, blues, and elements of American roots music, with Spiteri's distinctive voice and the songwriting partnership of Spiteri and McElhone at its center.
The band made its live debut at the University of Dundee in March 1988. Their first single, "I Don't Want a Lover", arrived in January 1989 and became an immediate international success, reaching number eight on the UK Singles Chart. Its blend of ringing guitar, restrained rhythm, and soul-influenced vocals established the band's identity. The debut album, Southside, followed in March 1989, reaching number three in the United Kingdom and selling more than two million copies worldwide. Although later singles from the album were less successful, Texas had already secured a place among the most prominent new British bands of the period.
The albums Mothers Heaven (1991) and Ricks Road (1993) produced well-regarded material but did not match the commercial impact of Southside. Texas returned to the center of mainstream pop-rock with White on Blonde in 1997. The album became their defining commercial breakthrough, spending two weeks at number one in the UK and generating a run of major singles including "Say What You Want", "Halo", "Black Eyed Boy", and "Put Your Arms Around Me". "Say What You Want" became one of their signature songs, while a later version featuring members of the Wu-Tang Clan introduced the track to a wider American audience.
Texas continued their success with The Hush (1999), another UK number one album. Its polished production and radio-friendly songwriting showed the group moving further toward sophisticated pop without abandoning its rock foundation. Careful What You Wish For (2003) and Red Book (2005) followed, after which the band entered a lengthy hiatus. During this period, Spiteri pursued a solo career, releasing Melody in 2008 and The Movie Songbook in 2010.
Texas returned in 2013 with The Conversation, marking a renewed phase of activity. The anniversary collection Texas 25 followed in 2015, revisiting songs from the band's catalog with newly recorded arrangements. The group then released Jump on Board in 2017 and Hi in 2021. The latter included collaborations with Richard Hawley and Clare Grogan, as well as the single "Hi", which reunited Texas with the Wu-Tang Clan more than two decades after their earlier collaboration.
Their career-spanning collection The Very Best of 1989-2023 appeared in 2023. Texas have remained a durable live act, with Spiteri's commanding performances and the band's melodic, accessible songwriting sustaining their appeal across several generations. Their strongest work is defined by a balance of emotional directness and carefully crafted pop-rock, making Texas one of Scotland's most successful and enduring bands.