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"It's become part of Scottish culture now"

Patrick Prins released the original version of Bits and Pieces in 1994 under the pseudonym Artemesia.

It was originally written as a tribute to the drum solos of Patrick’s dad’s favourite drummers such as Gene Krupa and Lionel Hampton.

"I wanted to make a track which was more based on the rhythmic side of things."

When the track was initially released it didn't make that big an impact on the charts.

"It wasn’t even a top 40 hit but it grabbed people."

George Bowie – radio presenter and DJ – did a cover of the song with fellow DJ Sparkos and played the song as part of his iconic GBX radio show and club nights, which saw the popularity of the song grow.

"It’s one of these songs that won’t go away. It’s become part of Scottish culture now."

Cassie Gillespie – Bowie's co-host on the Clyde 1 morning show – sees George's cover version as being integral to the continued popularity of Bits and Pieces in Scotland.

"He’s brought the song to a new generation."

Current chart-topper Lewis Capaldi came out to Bits and Pieces during his breakthrough set at 2019's TRNSMT festival, further showcasing just how iconic the song is with Scotland's younger generation.

Cassie also remembers the online campaign to get Calvin Harris to play Bits and Pieces at his 2016 T in the Park headlining set.

"Calvin Harris dropped the tune and the crowd went off their heads."

Calvin Harris playing Bits and Pieces led to both the George Bowie and Sparkos and Artemesia versions charting again and Bowie being given a unique opportunity to further promote the song.

"It polarises opinion"

Bowie was asked to DJ at Hampden before a Scotland game, due to the Tartan Army voting for Bits and Pieces as their preferred goal song for the national football team.

Although a fan himself, Tartan Army DJ Tam Coyle feels that not every Scotland fan likes the song.

“It’s bizarre, it polarises opinion. It’s a marmite song – you either love it or hate it.”

One iconic moment that Bits and Pieces was used by the Scotland national team was after each of the goals Leigh Griffiths scored in an important 2017 match against England at Hampden.

±«Óãtv The Social contributor Stuart Hay remembered just how galvanising the song was for the home fans.

“The English fans didn’t know where to look.”

Some people have suggested that the popularity of Bits and Pieces in Scotland means that it should be considered as a potential new unofficial national anthem; but Patrick Prins is not so sure:

“I cannot imagine that’s going to be the national anthem… but then again, strange things happen.”