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).

Sean
The Proclaimers Lyrics

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Sean I'd say the best one
Came from Tupelo, Mississippi
I'll tell you now that grown men cry
And Irish girls are pretty

Though fear and hurt and care
Can lead me to despair
I saw why I'm here

The morning you appeared

Sean, I sat awhile on clouds
To ask God if he's living
I should have spent the time
On knees in thanks for what He's given

From parents smart and strong
To both of us passed on

From kings is where you come,
Through daughters and through sons.

Overall Meaning

The Proclaimers’ song “Sean” tells the story of a boy named Sean who is the best of the bunch from Tupelo, Mississippi. The first verse introduces the idea that grown men can be brought to tears and that Irish girls are beautiful. The song then moves on to a more reflective and introspective tone in the chorus where the singer contemplates the meaning of life and his own existence. Although he recognizes that fear, hurt, and worry can lead him to despair, the singer sees a greater purpose in his life and realizes the importance of the people around him. The last verses speak of Sean’s noble lineage, and how the past of both Sean and the singer has led them to their current paths.

The lyrics in “Sean” are a beautiful mix of gratitude and reflection. The singer recognizes the beauty of life and the people in it, and also reflects on the bigger picture of existence. The lyrics also convey a sense of humility, as the singer recognizes that he has not always had the right perspective in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Sean I'd say the best one
I believe that Sean is the best one.

Came from Tupelo, Mississippi
Sean comes from Tupelo, Mississippi.

I'll tell you now that grown men cry
It is a fact that grown men cry.

And Irish girls are pretty
Irish girls are beautiful.

Though fear and hurt and care
Fear, hurt, and care are emotions that can affect me.

Can lead me to despair
These emotions can lead me to a state of despair.

I saw why I'm here
I realized my purpose for being here.

The morning you appeared
This realization came to me when you appeared in my life.

Sean, I sat awhile on clouds
Sean, I spent some time thinking deeply.

To ask God if he's living
I questioned whether God exists or not.

I should have spent the time
I now believe I should have used this time differently.