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The Proclaimers — I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
Album: Sunshine On Leith
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2787








Released: 1988
Length: 3:30
Plays (last 30 days): 2
When I wake up, well, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you
When I go out, yeah, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you
If I get drunk, well, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you
And if I haver, hey, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's havering to you

But I would walk five hundred miles
And I would walk five hundred more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door

When I'm working, yes, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's working hard for you
And when the money comes in for the work I do
I'll pass almost every penny on to you
When I come home (When I come home), oh, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you
And if I grow old, well, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's growing old with you

But I would walk five hundred miles
And I would walk five hundred more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door

Da lat da (Da lat da), da lat da (Da lat da)
Da-da-da dun-diddle un-diddle un-diddle uh da-da
Da lat da (Da lat da), da lat da (Da lat da)
Da-da-da dun-diddle un-diddle un-diddle uh da-da

When I'm lonely, well, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's lonely without you
And when I'm dreaming, well, I know I'm gonna dream
I'm gonna dream about the time when I'm with you
When I go out (When I go out), well, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you
And when I come home (When I come home), yes, I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home with you
I'm gonna be the man who's coming home with you

But I would walk five hundred miles
And I would walk five hundred more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door

Da lat da (Da lat da), da lat da (Da lat da)
Da-da-da dun-diddle un-diddle un-diddle uh da-da
Da lat da (Da lat da), da lat da (Da lat da)
Da-da-da dun-diddle un-diddle un-diddle uh da-da
Da lat da (Da lat da), da lat da (Da lat da)
Da-da-da dun-diddle un-diddle un-diddle uh da-da
Da lat da (Da lat da), da lat da (Da lat da)
Da-da-da dun-diddle un-diddle un-diddle uh da-da

And I would walk five hundred miles
And I would walk five hundred more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door
Comments (414)add comment
We need Sunshine on Leith to be added to the playlist
 NotShakespeare wrote:

I can't listen to this song without thinking of the episode of "How I Met Your Mother". Don't worry, it will come around again.



I can't listen to it without thinking of this
 WilliDoc wrote:
 kenmo wrote:


Annoying the purists is such fun isn't it? 


BTW did you mean "whining"... or is "whinging" a thing in itself?


Oh, a good whinge is definitely a thing in itself. 


A whine is to a whinge what a yell is to a shout. 
An outstanding amount of fun to listen to!
I can't listen to this song without thinking of the episode of "How I Met Your Mother". Don't worry, it will come around again.
A perfect pop song. How can you not feel good listening to it
Whiners are always whinging and whiners like to whine.
 kenmo wrote:


Annoying the purists is such fun isn't it? 


BTW did you mean "whining"... or is "whinging" a thing in itself?


Oh, a good whinge is definitely a thing in itself. 
 bialia wrote:


Benny and Joon.


Brilliant film... watch it!
You had me at walk 500 miles
I was a haverin’ for some proclaimers!
They're Hibernian fans so it has to be a 7.  It' s the only score that matters to a Hibs fan.
SOLID.
YES, MATE.
SHE'S WORTH IT!
FUCKIN' SOLID!
THOSE NOT SOLID....NEED F'N NOT APPLY!
Ha! 
Ya!
Starters - yes, guilty pleasure.  Second, in a former life a member of the fire company might be described as "someone who likes to stir the pot".  Me thinks there is an element of this in some of Bill's choices.  Brilliant.  Stir away good sir.
 Johnny_Alpha wrote:

I'm going to give it 10 - not because I love I soo much, but that it will annoy the whinging 'purists' who infest these pages



I'm giving it a 10 because I genuinely love this song. You can ask anybody that I belt out singing whenever this comes on and I don't sing. 
YESSSS
 MattRudely wrote:

Right Said Fred and Chumbawamba in the same breath? Zero credibility.

Know your enemies.
Ewart Grogan walked from Cape Town, SA to Cairo, Egypt, for the hand of his wife, Gertrude.  Seems he came from a good family, but his own life had not much to recommend it to Gertrude's stepfather.  Grogan proposed the walk, which had never been undertaken.  Before or since. The stepfather agreed.  Grogan arrived in Cairo in 1900, after a perilous two and a half year journey.  They married that year.  Grogan became a leading figure in the Kenya settler community and was a respected businessman, wealthy land and hotel owner.  Gertrude's Garden Children's Hospital was built in her honor after her death in 1947.  Today it is a thriving medical centre, with branches all over Nairobi.

Five hundred miles plus 500 more, is just a walk in the park.  Haha

From your avid listener in Nairobi. 
 Johnny_Alpha wrote:

I'm going to give it 10 - not because I love I soo much, but that it will annoy the whinging 'purists' who infest these pages



Annoying the purists is such fun isn't it? 
BTW did you mean "whining"... or is "whinging" a thing in itself?
 higgins_brian wrote:

This was a song  in a movie, I can't remember the name.



Benny and Joon.
Always loved this song.
GREAT TUNE!!!
Is this not the GREATEST Rock-n-Roll song EVER???
I love the accents, +1 for that.   An easy 8.
 sfoster66 wrote:

These guys created some great music...but not this track.  This belongs in the same dustbin as Right Said Fred and Chumbawhumba (you know the ones I mean!) ...it's a novelty track.  May as well play Purple People Eater next...


Right Said Fred and Chumbawamba in the same breath? Zero credibility.
Cripes, I need a pint now! 
These guys created some great music...but not this track.  This belongs in the same dustbin as Right Said Fred and Chumbawhumba (you know the ones I mean!) ...it's a novelty track.  May as well play Purple People Eater next...
 higgins_brian wrote:

This was a song  in a movie, I can't remember the name.


Shrek, wasn't it?
This is a Scottish anthem. Every Scot knows the words and it's regularly sung by footie crowds A great thing about the twins is that they proudly keep their accents. Straight oota Leith.
This was a song  in a movie, I can't remember the name.
If this is too silly or too fm radio for you try sunshine on leith itself or their cover of Steve Earl's my 9ld friend the blues. A bit more rp for you!
This song is the end credits of Ken Loach's The Angel's Share! 

I liked it before, but that made it even better :-D 
 khardog145 wrote:

I think that's the only song by the Proclaimers that received airplay in the U.S.  At least that I'm aware of.  Kind of a fun song I always thought.  
 
A one hit wonder in the US for sure, but it is on my Karaoke list, and it brings down the house every time!  A great sing along!
 siriusrising wrote:
As a native Scot I can tell you that there was a lot better groups in Scotland at the time this rubbish came out. Completely overrated.
 

The other Reid brothers, for starters.
I’ve got a havering to hear those other bands, ‘ cause this rocks!
 siriusrising wrote:
As a native Scot I can tell you that there was a lot better groups in Scotland at the time this rubbish came out. Completely overrated.
 
I think that's the only song by the Proclaimers that received airplay in the U.S.  At least that I'm aware of.  Kind of a fun song I always thought.  
 sieversfam wrote:
My sister married a Scot back in 2005,  and a bunch of his buddies came to Cali for the wedding.  Naturally, this one made the reception rotation.  And when it did, no Kilt was on a chair.   For the memory alone, 8.  

 
I would really like to see pictures of this reception
 siriusrising wrote:
As a native Scot I can tell you that there was a lot better groups in Scotland at the time this rubbish came out. Completely overrated.
 

Interesting! As another native Scot, I've just bumped this from 8 to 9.   There may have been better groups around at the time, but this always makes me feel good. 
As a native Scot I can tell you that there was a lot better groups in Scotland at the time this rubbish came out. Completely overrated.
 LoudshirtsBand wrote:
The brothers have recorded so much better than this; get the media to dribble over a catchy tune and sheeple will follow!
 
Your type and the use of the word "sheeple". Always used by those who think that what they read, listen to, support, is the right way and that they are in no way "sheeple" themselves. 
This is the result of social media...the infection that it is, the rot and divisiveness it promotes..

However..............................................I Love this song!
 bebe wrote:
i will never get tired of this song. so upbeat! but it's definitely an acquired taste hehe.
 
Yes, it definitely is an acquired taste.  I absolutely despise this song and I don't know why.   Everybody has that one song that just annoys the feces out of us, and for me this is it.  But, hey!  RP listeners have given it a somewhat respectable rating.  So enjoy....
The brothers have recorded so much better than this; get the media to dribble over a catchy tune and sheeple will follow!
 BCarn wrote:
Come on you people! you know you like this song! Give it at least a 7!!!!!
 
6 is plenty.
  Can't resist hopping around to this song.
I'm going to give it 10 - not because I love I soo much, but that it will annoy the whinging 'purists' who infest these pages
One of my favorite songs of all time. It's a guilty pleasure. (My co-workers must think I'm nuts as I bounce in my seat)
 nicolas65 wrote:
The very strong 4/4 beat sounds simply too military too me. Don't like it...
 
So you don't like the military? Hmmm.  Unfortunate.
 lizardking wrote:
I bumped my 5 to a 6 today, based mostly on my memory of this tune and being surprised that it came out in 1988!  I remember this from HS more, which was 91-95, so it had some "staying" power at the time.  Still, a bit cheesy, which is good sometimes...Long Live RP!!
 
Must be the 'Friday' effect...I'm going +1 again, call it a strong 7, Long Live RP and TGIF!!
 Ihatethissong wrote:
ha·ver
/ˈhāvər/
Learn to pronounce
verbSCOTTISH
talk foolishly; babble.
"Tom havered on"
 

After the drunk line, I always thought he was saying "heav-ering." 
ha·ver
/ˈhāvər/
Learn to pronounce
verbSCOTTISH
talk foolishly; babble.
"Tom havered on"
Havering not to hear this for a while. Hate the way it makes me want to jump up and start marching round the room with arms swinging
In Canada, the Terry Fox Run, is held annually in September to commemorate the legacy of Terry Fox, a young man who set out to cross our country by running a marathon a day, on a prosthetic leg to raise $1 from every Canadian to support cancer research.  He made it half way before his cancer came back and took his life.  
One year the Terry Fox Foundation used this song as their theme song.  I was a teacher in an Elementary school (Kindergarten - Grade 7).  Before our annual school Terry Fox Run the promotional video was shown on a big screen in the gymnasium.  Picture 350 students singing along with the chorus while Terry Fox hop-jogs in time to the beat on a lonely road in Eastern Canada.  I still get goose bumps whenever this song plays.
I bumped my 5 to a 6 today, based mostly on my memory of this tune and being surprised that it came out in 1988!  I remember this from HS more, which was 91-95, so it had some "staying" power at the time.  Still, a bit cheesy, which is good sometimes...Long Live RP!!
The very strong 4/4 beat sounds simply too military too me. Don't like it...
 ScottishWillie wrote:
 canoeist wrote:
Sorry maybe it's the Englishman in me but this is just too Scottish
  Don’t worry about it canoeist, criticism from the English just increases our enjoyment.

 
Hope you're enjoying Brexit then.
 MisterVErb wrote:
ashbyman wrote:
I heard Down by Law do it. and if I haver...whatever the FUCK that means
I told you, it's PUKING - the many things you can learn and retain from pop-up video
 

Point of order! 'Haver' means talking nonsense, something you are evidently familiar with ;-)
 redart wrote:
Och aye would walk 500 miles to hear more authentic folk rock on any radio station, da de la da, da de la da etc etc 😁
 
Then move ye to another station ya wee shyte!
Och aye would walk 500 miles to hear more authentic folk rock on any radio station, da de la da, da de la da etc etc 😁
I am still undecided ( 6) 
how do I fast forward?
Doctor Who -- 500 Miles
quick! play another song before this earworm sets in!
I'm just gonna leave this here.
 Wizzuvvoz wrote:
yeah.  :-)
passes the play, increase volume, repeat cycle.  cycle  (?) 
 
makes me feel young...  sigh...  love it...  hope life is grand for you these days, Wizzuvvoz...
My sister married a Scot back in 2005,  and a bunch of his buddies came to Cali for the wedding.  Naturally, this one made the reception rotation.  And when it did, no Kilt was on a chair.   For the memory alone, 8.  

 cambuddyf wrote:
One of the best songs for a party.  Should be rated higher.  
 
The band at my wedding played this song during a fierce thunder storm in a large tent.  They had unplugged their electronics when the storm started and played this with acoustic guitars and a bodhran. It was awesome - dozens of people dancing and singing in defiance of the storm, even people who didn't particularly like the song.  As a bonus, the singer was from Edinburgh - he had played the pipes earlier in the ceremony.
 BCarn wrote:
Come on you people! you know you like this song! Give it at least a 7!!!!!

 
Mmmkay.. Done
One of the best songs for a party.  Should be rated higher.  
Can't help getting up and dancing around the house whenever I hear this. My 11 year old just cringes.
Come on you people! you know you like this song! Give it at least a 7!!!!!
Oh God, not again!!!
ONE DOESN'T SIMPLY

WALK 500 MILES, WITHOUT WALKING 500 MORE!     {#Naughty}
Nooooooooo!!!!!!!!! A coworker has RP playing on his locked computer right now and I can't skip this song. It's gonna be in my brain all god damned day!
 Old_Pat wrote:
Regularly listen to a call-in show here in Scotland. Different theme every evening. No matter what the theme, someone ALWAYS manages to find an appropriately titled Proclaimers song......... 

 
Is that the one on Radio Scotland in the evening? No matter the theme it always gets people suggesting Bob Dylan songs too. 
Regularly listen to a call-in show here in Scotland. Different theme every evening. No matter what the theme, someone ALWAYS manages to find an appropriately titled Proclaimers song......... 
......lame but at least it's not The National
How I met your mother learned me.

Arrivederci Fiero {#Motor}
Good memories of early MTV Europe who played that hilarious video in heavy rotation and would make and my gf burst into synchronous laughter each and every time. The song sounds silly to the utmost but there is something (sym)pathetic about it.
That part is supposed to be the horns you silly Scotts!!!!
You no play. Bad.
 
 Cynaera wrote:
Benny and Joon. That movie turned me on to this song, and I can't listen to it without a big stupid grin on my face. Watch the movie. I think it will provide a new appreciation of the song.

 
Great movie. Great song.
 raga wrote:
 acolt wrote:
I've never understood the dislike of a song solely because of its airplay on FM radio. Many times (not all the time, but many times) there's a reason for it. This song, in particular, is just a whole lot of fun. It's a wonderful pop song and puts a smile on the vast majority of people who listen to it. I understand different tastes; no two people have the exact same musical tastes, and I also realize that Radio Paradise is, to some extent, an escape from by-the-book FM Radio. But to denounce and dismiss a song solely because of its past FM airplay seems to me to miss the point of music: to entertain and enhance one's day. That's it.

Enjoy the song for what it is, and enjoy the lack of commercials.

 

I do!!! {#Dancingbanana}

  


 
Well said acolt,  you have nailed it! {#Clap}   I never get tired of the greats no matter how many times they have been played on FM radio. Well done Bill and Rebecca for picking this one.  {#Notworthy}   nb:  Cynaera liked it, enough said.  RIP Ann.  {#Smile}
Best. SingAlong Song. EVER!!!!1 {#Laughing}
 raga wrote:
 acolt wrote:
I've never understood the dislike of a song solely because of its airplay on FM radio. Many times (not all the time, but many times) there's a reason for it. This song, in particular, is just a whole lot of fun. It's a wonderful pop song and puts a smile on the vast majority of people who listen to it. I understand different tastes; no two people have the exact same musical tastes, and I also realize that Radio Paradise is, to some extent, an escape from by-the-book FM Radio. But to denounce and dismiss a song solely because of its past FM airplay seems to me to miss the point of music: to entertain and enhance one's day. That's it.

Enjoy the song for what it is, and enjoy the lack of commercials.

 

I do!!! {#Dancingbanana}

  

Me, too, never fails to put a smile on my face!
 


Grabbed this CD out of the throwaway pile at a radio station where I worked, about five years before it became a hit. I still wonder how the music director let this one slip by.
Had an album of theirs a while back, though not sure which one as I can't find it now.  It was surprisingly great.
Guess they're facing away from the camera on the album cover in order not to hurt sales.

Where did the Proclaimers walk to?

https://twentytwowords.com/where-the-proclaimers-walked-if-they-actually-went-500-miles-and-500-more/
 Jamunca wrote:
Anyone else here watch "How I Met Your Mother" and remembers the episode where they drive to Chicago for pizza?
 


YES!
That was episode when this show "Jumped the Shark"

 bieze wrote:
I just pictured myself walking 500 miles with only this song....noooo
 
(Triggered Memory Time)

Hiking out of the Grand Canyon;  from the Devils Corkscrew to about midway between Indian Gardens and the top, I got chorus to a song stuck in my head.  If you're over 40 you know the song.  It was on the "Santa is Coming to Town" Christmas special.  

Just put one foot in front of the otheeeer and soon you'll be walkin' cross the flooooor.
Put one foot in front of the otheeeer and soon you'll be walking out that dooor.

Oh God!  I know I left a piece of my sanity on those cliffs that day.
 ScottishWillie wrote:
 ziakut wrote:
Hey...why are they pissing on Leith?
  You’ve never been to Leith have you.
 
I'll take your word for it ScottishWillie...! 
I would walk 500 miles to never hear this again.
Anyone else here watch "How I Met Your Mother" and remembers the episode where they drive to Chicago for pizza?
 EssexTex wrote:
Wrong on every level...

Their faces..music......like American Idol rejects...
 
You actually WATCH American Idol? Shame on you.

Benny and Joon. That movie turned me on to this song, and I can't listen to it without a big stupid grin on my face. Watch the movie. I think it will provide a new appreciation of the song.
YAAA DA-DA DAAA! YAAA DA-DA DAAA! 
 acolt wrote:
I've never understood the dislike of a song solely because of its airplay on FM radio. Many times (not all the time, but many times) there's a reason for it. This song, in particular, is just a whole lot of fun. It's a wonderful pop song and puts a smile on the vast majority of people who listen to it. I understand different tastes; no two people have the exact same musical tastes, and I also realize that Radio Paradise is, to some extent, an escape from by-the-book FM Radio. But to denounce and dismiss a song solely because of its past FM airplay seems to me to miss the point of music: to entertain and enhance one's day. That's it.

Enjoy the song for what it is, and enjoy the lack of commercials.

 

I do!!! {#Dancingbanana}

  



Boy does that take me back.  To my student days in Edinburgh, in fact {#Smile}.  Those were the days.

I've never understood the dislike of a song solely because of its airplay on FM radio. Many times (not all the time, but many times) there's a reason for it. This song, in particular, is just a whole lot of fun. It's a wonderful pop song and puts a smile on the vast majority of people who listen to it. I understand different tastes; no two people have the exact same musical tastes, and I also realize that Radio Paradise is, to some extent, an escape from by-the-book FM Radio. But to denounce and dismiss a song solely because of its past FM airplay seems to me to miss the point of music: to entertain and enhance one's day. That's it.

Enjoy the song for what it is, and enjoy the lack of commercials.
this song was cute 22 years and 50,000 FM radio plays ago... not so much any more
 ziakut wrote:
Hey...why are they pissing on Leith?
  You’ve never been to Leith have you.

A different track from this very same album would be pristine....and 500 times less worn. Hey...why are they pissing on Leith?

 yclept wrote:
arrrrrrrful...this is purgatory

 
MUUUUCH worse then that......

 chedak wrote:
"When I go ouwt...but, would woalk five hundthred miles..."{#Bananasplit}

I dig the Scottish vibe!

 
You should hear them sing "King of the Road."  I won't even attempt to spell the accent, but I love it.

arrrrrrrful...this is purgatory

Logically I know this song should not be played here, but for some odd reason I don't mind!{#Lol}


"When I go ouwt...but, would woalk five hundthred miles..."{#Bananasplit}

I dig the Scottish vibe!

I just pictured myself walking 500 miles with only this song....noooo
 ScottishWillie wrote:
 canoeist wrote:
Sorry maybe it's the Englishman in me but this is just too Scottish
  Don’t worry about it canoeist, criticism from the English just increases our enjoyment.

 
{#Lol}


Wrong on every level...

Their faces..music......like American Idol rejects...
 canoeist wrote:
Sorry maybe it's the Englishman in me but this is just too Scottish
  Don’t worry about it canoeist, criticism from the English just increases our enjoyment.

 romeotuma wrote:


I remember so well when this song came out...  liked it a lot then, and still do...
 
I too remember very well when this song came out - though I HATED it then and I still hate it.....!!  {#Frustrated}
I'm gonna be!
{#Smile}  love this!