Craig Reid and Charlie Reid were born in Leith, Scotland in 1962, and grew up in Edinburgh, Cornwall and Auchtermuchty. After several punk rock bands at school they formed The Proclaimers in 1983.
The pair came to public attention when an Inverness based fan sent their demo to the British band The Housemartins, who were impressed enough to invite The Proclaimers on their 1986 UK tour. The exposure of the tour won them a January 1987 appearance on the British pop music television programme The Tube on Channel Four; "Letter from America" peaked at number 3 in the UK Singles Chart, whilst the album This is the Story went gold. The follow-up album Sunshine on Leith featured "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" and "I'm On My Way". They had a hit with their EP King of the Road, which reached number 9 in UK in 1990.
In March 2007 they recorded a new version of "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" with television comedy characters Andy Pipkin (played by Matt Lucas) and Brian Potter (Peter Kay) for the Comic Relief charity. A long list of celebrities were featured in the music video for this new version, including David Bellamy, Rod, Jane and Freddy, Paul O'Grady, David Tennant, Frank Sidebottom and many more. This new version of the song reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart.
The band was one of The B-52s' touring partners on their Funplex tour in Australia and New Zealand in November 2009, alongside Mental as Anything.
The brothers are fans of Hibernian Football Club, and "Sunshine on Leith" has become a theme song for the club, being played at home matches for important fixtures, such as the Edinburgh derby versus Heart of Midlothian FC, the club's city rivals. Charlie and Craig Reid appeared at their Easter Road stadium for the 'Hands Off Hibs' campaign in 1990 when Wallace Mercer, a wealthly Edinburgh businessman with direct connections to Hearts FC, attempted a takeover of the club but was defeated by fan pressure.
They are also well-known supporters of Scottish independence and have at various stages of their lives been activists for the Scottish National Party, expressing such views during their promotional tour of Britain in March 2007. However in April 2007 Charlie Reid announced that he had switched his allegiance to the Scottish Socialist Party in protest at the Scottish National Party's receipt of funding from big business. Many of their songs reflect their political views, such as "Letter from America" and "Cap in Hand".
On 16 May 2006 the twins announced their participation in a campaign to free a fellow Scot, Kenny Richey, from his death row sentence in Ohio, including an appearance at a charity concert. Also, in 2010 they participated with Billy Bragg in a show supporting Reprieve, charity that fights the death penalty. The Proclaimers also support other charities such as The Lighthouse Foundation (addiction victims), AICR (cancer research), Drake Music Scotland (help disabled people through music) or 500 miles (amputees or disabled people in Africa).
It's Gonna Be
The Proclaimers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next 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 up, yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's havering to you
But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walks 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) well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you
And if I grow-old (when 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 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walks a thousand miles
To fall down at your door
Da da da (da da da)
Da da da (da da da)
Da da da dun diddle un diddle un diddle uh da
Da da da (da da da)
Da da da (da da da)
Da da da dun diddle un diddle un diddle uh 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 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walks a thousand miles
To fall down at your door
Da da da (da da da)
Da da da (da da da)
Da da da dun diddle un diddle un diddle uh da
Da da da (da da da)
Da da da (da da da)
Da da da dun diddle un diddle un diddle uh da
Da da da (da da da)
Da da da (da da da)
Da da da dun diddle un diddle un diddle uh da
Da da da (da da da)
Da da da (da da da)
Da da da dun diddle un diddle un diddle uh da
And I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door
The Proclaimers' "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" is a love song about a man pledging his devotion to his partner. He is willing to do anything to be with her, even if it means walking thousands of miles. He wakes up next to her, drinks with her, works hard for her, grows old with her, and dreams about her when he's alone. He wants to be the man who is always there for her, supporting her every step of the way. The chorus, "But I would walk 500 miles / And I would walk 500 more / Just to be the man who walks a thousand miles / To fall down at your door," is a testament to his undying love and dedication.
The song's upbeat tempo and infectious melody have made it a popular tune for weddings, road trips, and sporting events. Its popularity is worldwide, and it has been featured in movies, TV shows, and commercials. Its simple message of devotion, loyalty, and perseverance resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
When I wake up, well I know I'm gonna be,
I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next you
I am well aware that when I wake up, I will be the man who wakes up right 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
I will definitely be the one who accompanies you whenever you decide to go out
If I get drunk, well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you
It's a given that if I get drunk, I'll be the man who's going to be intoxicated by your side
And if I haver up, yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's havering to you
If I start to talk nonsense, I will be the man who will keep blathering to you
But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walks a thousand miles
To fall down at your door
I am prepared to walk a thousand miles, even if it means walking for days and nights, just to see you again
When I'm working, yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's working hard for you
I understand that my job is to work hard for you and that's what I'm going to do
And when the money, comes in for the work I do
I'll pass almost every penny on to you
The money I earn from my hard work is yours, and I'll give almost all of it to you
When I come home (when I come home) well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you
I can guarantee that when I come back home, it will be to you, my love
And if I grow-old (when I grow-old) well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's growing old with you
As I age, I will grow old with you, and I look forward to it
When I'm lonely, well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's lonely without you
I am aware that in my moments of loneliness, it is because I am 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
In my dreams, I will always dream of the moments we spent together
And I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door
I will walk a thousand miles, even if it means walking for days and nights, just to fall at your door
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES S. REID, CRAIG M. REID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@try2bu459
No matter how many times I hear this song? It always makes me feel good. Like I can accomplish anything.
It resonates with me.
Always.
It is 2023, and this song is relevant.
Tomorrow is 12/22 - my 23rd wedding anniversary. Feeling a little down due to overwhelming medical issues my husband has.
@Mitchell666mni
I’m commenting so whenever someone likes it, I can come back and listen to this masterpiece again 🙏
@masonkreutz8302
Ooo{i{{
@danielbanfield8109
Go for it!
@klausdieter1532
Uffff Mate, but its nö Problem, because this Song is so masterclass
@Az-od9bq
Well its time for another listen pal haha
@tulipalll
Have another go 😁
@nirvikalpshukla
Marshal Eriksen was right. Played this song on my way to office. It became a roadtrip.
@206_akbarisahil7
😂
@Sorken.1994
In my imagination, I would dance with the villain: Biff Tannen's actor / Thomas F. Wilson (from the movies: Back to the future) to this version of this song.
I have such a stupid disability that, among other things, means that I can not walk or stand on my own, and must have help all the time.
So he gets to help me take the right dance steps to this song.
Do you know who he / Thomas F. Wilson is?
@undeadbygordon
666th!!!