The Beautiful South

The Beautiful South formed in Hull in 1988 when Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway left the Housemartins. With new members including Briana Corrigan and later Jacqui Abbott, the band developed a sound that was more polished and more pop-oriented than the Housemartins, but retained Heaton's sardonic wit and political edge.

'Welcome to the Beautiful South' (1989) was a strong debut. 'A Little Time' (1990) reached number one — a duet between Hemingway and Corrigan about a relationship falling apart, it was one of the most distinctive British pop singles of the year. 'Choke' (1990) and 'Miaow' (1994) were both excellent albums.

The Beautiful South had a string of hits through the 1990s — 'Rotterdam', 'Don't Marry Her', 'Perfect 10' — and continued to record until 2007. Heaton has had a successful solo career since. His songwriting remains as sharp as ever.