Amy MacDonald 104

Amy MacDonald is an award-winning, multi-platinum Scottish singer-songwriter and self-taught folk-rock guitarist. She began writing songs at twelve years old and gigging at fifteen.

A demo tape sent in response to an ad in NME led to a record deal and the release of her debut album This Is The Life in 2007. By 2008, it had reached the top 10 in eleven countries and sold 2 million copies worldwide on the strength of two international hits “Mr Rock & Roll” and “This Is The Life” – the latter becoming a top 5 smash in nine countries.

This Is The Life remains her most successful album, achieving gold or platinum status in seven countries. MacDonald won a number of awards at the time in various countries including being named Scottish Person Of The Year by the Daily Record newspaper. Her success in the US at the time was minimal in comparison, with “This Is The Life” becoming a minor AC hit and the album peaking at #92, but as of 2018, it is also her most successful there.

In 2010, MacDonald released her sophomore album A Curious Thing. Its lead single “Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over” was a top 10 hit in four countries. Its follow-ups “Spark” and “This Pretty Face” were minor hits overseas, both missing the top 40 internationally. The album still sold well overseas, achieving gold or platinum status in five countries. Life In A Beautiful Light followed in 2012 and its lead single “Slow It Down” was a modest hit in four countries, not breaking the top 40 anywhere. Two more singles made little impact. The album is certified gold or platinum in four countries.

Under Stars was released five years after Life In A Beautiful Light. MacDonald clarified it took no longer to write the album than her previous ones (which were released only 2-3 years apart), stating it was simply a matter of two years of solid touring followed by ‘a bit of time to chill out’ before beginning to write. Its lead single “Dream On” was a top 40 hit in Scotland, and Switzerland, but made little impact elsewhere. A holiday single came out in 2017. In autumn 2018, MacDonald announced her first greatest hits collection Woman Of The World. 2020’s The Human Demands was supposed to be supported by a tour that year, but the tour was rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.