my city : edinburgh SHIRLEY MANSON: programme transcript My name is Shirley Manson and I was born in Edinburgh, Scotland Growing up in Edinburgh was amazing - the more Ive travelled the more I realise how privileged I was growing up here 'cause its such a beautiful city...but you know its a cultural city and really up there amongst some of the most beautiful cities in the world and thats, Im convinced, not a biased opinion because Ive spoken to other people who dont come from Scotland and whove travelled the world and they sort of put it up there with great cities like Prague and Paris and Rome. What is so great about it is its filled with Scots people who have no idea that its one of the most beautiful cities in the world and thats what makes it so incredible and what makes it so pleasant to be in. It doesnt have a lot of the arrogance and graces that a lot of the great cities do. Every time I meet people when Im abroad and people say Ive just visited your city, I always say and were the people nice? and they always say oh they were the best and I always have a wee, I mean I hate myself for it, but I always have a wee beat of pride. My first musical memory where I felt Id really discovered the power of music was going to see my mum sing at the church concert party and I was about three years old and I remember her singing this song and me realising the power of music to transform like my mum became this siren figure and I somehow made that correlation between that transformation and music. And I think thats when I first fell in love with the whole nature of it. But singing gave me power that I felt I didnt have as a child - I just never felt sure of myself and singing has given me that opportunity to reach out and connect with people and connect myself to the world. Having people in my life who I grew up with in Scotland has been a real mainstay for me you know with my career which has taken me all over the world and very much out of my comfort zone. And you know, when you live a life in the media it can be very discomforting because its quite invasive at times and its great to come back to your homeland and have people who you dont have to pretend to be anything with and just be yourself, and you find yourself again. I suppose my favourite place would be Stockbridge because thats where I grew up and thats where Ive got all my most sort of loving memories. I love St Stephen Street to shop. I love the castle I think its unbelievably amazing and just captures my imagination every time I see it. I love the Modern Art Gallery, I love all the fish and chip shops, you cant find our brown sauce anywhere else in the world. I love the cobblestones. I just think its a really beautiful city to walk around in and get lost in and yeah, I feel lucky to be here..
Shirley was interviewed by Martin Smith.
Director : Martin Smith Executive Producer : Nicki Young Cinematographer : Simon Dennis Colourist : Simone Grattarola Sound : Robert Anderson Editor : Simon Blakeley © 2004 Channel 4 Television Productions Ltd.
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