The Proclaimers are a Scottish band composed of identical twin brothers, Ch… Read Full Bio ↴The Proclaimers are a Scottish band composed of identical twin brothers, Charlie and Craig Reid (born 5 March 1962, in Leith). They are probably best known for the songs "Letter from America", "I'm On My Way" and "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". The band tours extensively throughout Europe and other continents. They have released eleven studio albums from 1987 until the present, as well as two compilation albums and a DVD.

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).

Now and Then
The Proclaimers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lately, I've been forgetting
To keep your memory Every day

It's so long
Since last time I saw you
And sometimes the present
Gets in the way

But now and then
You just walk right in
Ask me how it's been
Since you've been still
And if I cry
You just smile and sigh
I never said goodbye
I never will

Lately things have been so good
I with that you could
Be here to see
The beauty of all your grandchildren
By your children
Your legacy

But now and then
You just walk right in
Ask me how it's been
Since you've been still
And if I cry
You just smile and sigh
I never said goodbye
I never will

Lately, I've been forgetting
To keep your memory Every day

Overall Meaning

The Proclaimers' song "Now and Then" is a touching tribute to a loved one who has passed away. The lyrics speak of the singer's forgetfulness in keeping the memory of the person alive, yet they also highlight the moments when the memories come flooding back. The song acknowledges the difficulty of moving forward after a loss, but also celebrates the joy and beauty that the loved one's legacy continues to bring.

The opening lines "Lately, I've been forgetting/To keep your memory every day" suggest that the singer has not been actively thinking of their loved one as much as they used to. This is perhaps due to the length of time since they last saw the person, as expressed in the line "It's so long/Since last time I saw you." The present day keeps distracting the singer from the past, but the memory of the loved one still comes back "now and then".

The chorus, with its repetition and simplicity, highlights the contrast between the forgetfulness of everyday life and the powerful impact of a sudden memory. The loved one "just walk[s] right in" and prompts the singer to remember all the emotions and experiences associated with them. Even if the memory brings tears, the loved one's smile and sigh of comprehension offer comfort and understanding. The singer has never said goodbye and never will, because the memory of the loved one is too strong.

Line by Line Meaning

Lately, I've been forgetting
Recently, I am starting to forget

To keep your memory Every day
To remember you every day

It's so long
It has been a long time

Since last time I saw you
Since I last saw you

And sometimes the present
The present situation

Gets in the way
Is an obstacle

But now and then
Occasionally

You just walk right in
You come to my mind

Ask me how it's been
Inquire how I am doing

Since you've been still
Since you passed away

And if I cry
And if I become emotional