Dignity (Deacon Blue song)

"Dignity"
Original 7-inch single picture sleeve
Single by Deacon Blue
from the album Raintown
B-side	"Riches"
Released	March 1987
Recorded	1986
Genre	Pop rock
Length	4:00
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Ricky Ross
Producer(s)	Jon Kelly
Deacon Blue singles chronology
"Dignity" (1987) "Loaded" (1987)

"Dignity" is a song by Deacon Blue, which was the band's first official release. It is one of their most popular songs and it is usually played as the final song at concerts. It received the most public votes for the 1980s songs in the Scotland's Greatest Album contest run by STV in 2011, and was featured on the 12 track compilation. It was also sung at the closing ceremony at the 2014 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow.

In an interview given to the Daily Record in 2012, songwriter Ricky Ross stated, "I have no idea why I started writing a song like that in Greece, but that's why there's a reference to raki in it, the local firewater. I was sitting messing around with lyrics, bored on holiday, in a far away scene. There were men from the Glasgow cleansing department depot who walked up and down the street with brushes outside my flat in Pollokshields."

Use in football

The supporters of Scottish football team, Dundee United, frequently sing "Dignity" as an anthem, expressing their support and pride for the club. This song has become an integral part of the matchday experience at Tannadice Park. The lyrics, which convey themes of hope and aspiration, resonate with the supporters, fostering a unifying and uplifting atmosphere during matches.

Over time, "Dignity" has evolved into an unofficial anthem, celebrating the club's achievements and reinforcing the strong sense of community and identity among Dundee United's fanbase. Additionally, the re-release of "Dignity" in May 1994 coincided with Dundee United winning the Scottish Cup for the first time. The song charted at number twenty on the UK Singles Chart the day after the final.

Dundee United player, Tony Watt, has expressed his love for the song. He states "That rendition of Dignity tonight was epic! Get it on after every game!" and "Top 3 memory this, normalise Dignity every game."

Multiple releases

"Dignity" has been officially released as a single three times. It was first released as the lead single of the band's first album Raintown. The single failed to chart in the UK, although it did reach the lower region of the charts in the Netherlands, and sales on the album were slow to start. The 12" version of the first release featured a different vocal and alternate lyrics. After the release of two subsequent singles, "Dignity" was re-recorded in November 1987 by Bob Clearmountain and re-released in January 1988 as the fourth single (and second release of "Dignity"). The second release charted on the UK Singles Chart and its success helped increase sales of Raintown.

"Dignity" was released for a third time as the second single from Deacon Blue's first greatest hits compilation Our Town - The Greatest Hits. During the third release, two companion CD singles were released—one with the original version of "Dignity" and one with the Bob Clearmountain re-recording.

Track listings

All songs written by Ricky Ross, except where noted:

Dignity (1st release) (March 1987)

7" single (Deac 1)

1. "Dignity" - 4:00
2. "Riches" - 2:39

Cassette single (XPC 4011) (packaged with 7" single)

1. "Dignity" - 4:00
2. "Riches" - 2:39
3. Edited excerpts of songs from Raintown

12" single (Deac t1)

1. "Dignity (12" Version)"
2. "Riches" (12" Version)"
3. "Ribbons and Bows" - 4:18

Dignity (2nd release) (January 1988)

7" single (Deac 4)

1. "Dignity [Bob Clearmountain recording]" - 4:13
2. "Suffering" - 2:44

7" extended play single (Deac ep4)

1. "Dignity [Bob Clearmountain recording]" - 4:13
2. "Suffering" - 2:44
3. "Raintown (Piano Version)" - 3:40
4. "Ronnie Spector" (Ross, Kelling, Prime) - 3:29

10" single (Deac q4)

1. "Dignity [Bob Clearmountain recording]" - 4:13
2. "Suffering" - 2:44
3. "Shifting Sand" (Ross, Prime) - 3:18

12" single (Deac t4)

1. "Dignity [Bob Clearmountain recording] (Extended Version)"
2. "Just Like Boys" (Ross, Prime) - 3:13
3. "Shifting Sand" (Ross, Prime) - 3:18
4. "Ronnie Spector" (Ross, Kelling, Prime) - 3:29

CD single (CDDeac 4)

1. "Dignity [Bob Clearmountain recording]"
2. "Suffering" - 2:44
3. "Just Like Boys" (Ross, Prime) - 3:13
4. "Shifting Sand" (Ross, Prime) - 3:18

Dignity (3rd release) (May 1994)

Cassette single (660448 4)

1. "Dignity [Bob Clearmountain recording]" - 4:16
2. "Beautiful Stranger" (Ross, Prime) - 3:54

CD single A (660448 2)

1. "Dignity [Bob Clearmountain recording]" - 4:16
2. "Beautiful Stranger" (Ross, Prime) - 3:54
3. "Waves of Sorrow (Piano and Vocal Version)" - 3:25
4. "Bethlehem's Gate (Piano and Vocal Version)" - 3:33

CD single B (660448 5)

1. "Dignity" - 4:03
2. "Fergus Sings the Blues (Live from the Hammersmith Odeon, 22.04.93)" (Ross, Prime) - 4:10
3. "Loaded (Live from the Hammersmith Odeon, 22.04.93)" - 3:51
4. "Chocolate Girl (Live from the Hammersmith Odeon, 22.04.93) [with "My Girl" melody]" - 6:22

Charts

Chart (1987)	Peak position
Dutch GfK chart	45
Chart (1988)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	31
US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks	22
Chart (1994)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	20

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)	Gold	400,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.