Deacon Blue is one of my all-time favourite bands. I’ve been following them ever since their debut single Dignity, back in 1987. Since then, their music has been the soundtrack of my radio career, which lasted for 30 years. When I stopped, in 2017, Deacon Blue continued, and in 2025 the Glasgow band celebrates it 40^th anniversary.

While trying different styles and angles over the years, they always stayed true to their sophisticated pop roots. By chance one of my favourite genres. Over the years, they produced way more classics than the ones that reached the charts. As a consequence, their live shows turned into greatest hits packages long ago. Still, they continue to add new classics to their repertoire.

Most recent example: People Come First. I already recommended it here as a stand-out track when they released their 11^th album The Great Western Road last March. Instead of ripping their fans off by saving bonus tracks for a future ‘anniversary edition’, they rewarded their true devotees by putting out a limited edition of the album on day one. It added six previously unreleased tracks to the standard release. Glory to them!

But back to People Come First now… As far as the music is concerned, it’s a timeless track. Delightful how Lorraine McIntosh’s angelic vocals perfectly compliment Ricky Ross’ immediately recognizable voice. Lyrically however, it’s a song that’s very much rooted in the present.

The band say about the tune: “The song was inspired by Ricky seeing the late American painter Alice Neel’s People Come First exhibition in San Francisco. It reminded him that the same mantra has always been at the heart of everything Deacon Blue do. This song is for right now, and a reminder that more than ever, people should come first.”

In a classic case of putting my money where my mouth is, People Come First by Deacon Blue is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. It will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.

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In the Wildcards 2025 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.

Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.