Execs Tried TO FORCE Band To DITCH Their Singing STYLE…Showed 'em Up With #1 Hit | Professor Of Rock
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- Coming up, a tale of identical twin brothers who were told by everyone in the music industry that if they wanted to make it in show business, they had to lose their thick Scottish accents. The Proclaimers had a lot against them before they hit with I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles). For example...famous British TV host Paul Yates called them “weird” on their national television debut… But they didn’t care. They refused to drop their accents, and proved their skeptics wrong when their 2nd single rose to #3 on the British Pop Chart, and their 4th single became an International smash- largely because of their accent, Then the band got a stroke of luck, when American actress, Mary Stuart Masterson (who had become a fan of the band), submitted their music to be used in the Johnny Depp film Benny and Joon. The music instantly gripped the crew and everyone who saw the movie and took it to the top 3 in american 5 years after it was a huge hit everywhere else. The story is next.
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#80s #onehitwonder #80smusic
Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you If you spent all your quarters at the arcade or on the jukebox you’ll dig this channel. make sure to subscribe below right now and click the bell so that you never miss an interview. . We also have a patreon you'll want to check out. where we are starting to put full interviews … exclusive content and you can even become an honorary producer to help us curate this music history.
It’s time for another edition of our series Bottled Lightning. where we break down a song that was king for a day or many days. A dong that was so big, that the artist or band wasn’t able to match it’s success long term. Most call ‘em one hit wonders but we call them lightning in a bottle. This one is an old classic from an 80s brother duo that was also a hit in the following decade…one of the most interesting Bottled Lightning stories i’ve come across.
Love will make us do crazy things. The determination to prove our love for another makes us unreasonable….unstoppable….invincible! That superhuman resilience has been captured in the lyrics of some of popular music’s most beloved songs: Luminaries like Marvin Gaye who teamed with Tammi Terrell to vow that there “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, ain’t no valley low enough, ain’t no river wide enough to keep them away..”
And Nat King Cole, who pledged his ubiquitous love when he proclaimed to his darling: “I’ll follow my star to the ends of the earth, just to be where you are.” In another act of insurmountable devotion put to music, two brothers from Scotland promised to walk 500 miles- then 500 more, just to be the man to fall down at the door of their love:
Identical twin brothers, Craig and Charlie Reid were teenagers at Bell Baxter High School, in Fife, Scotland, when they saw The Clash in concert, and were spellbound by what they experienced.
With only a cheap guitar, and a worn out drum kit, the brothers decided to put a punk band together, and named it Black Flag. No relation to the punk band from Hermosa Beach, California famously fronted by Henry Rollins.
![[TH] VALORANT Champions Seoul - Grand Final - EDG vs TH](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/WvObMc9VelI/mqdefault.jpg)
Poll: What is your pick for the most UNIQUE one hit wonder for all time?
Steal My Sunshine by Len. I would have missed out on a "million miles of fun" if this didn't become a hit. 😊
Also like Major Tom by Peter Schilling (A one hit wonder in the US)
It is unique because it is a response song to David Bowie, Space Oddity.
Timbuk 3...''The Future's So Bright''. It's just got such a funky beat to it, you can't help but tap your toes to it.
Spirit In The Sky- Norman Greenbaum.
honorable mention: Martha &The Muffins "Echo Beach"; Split Enz “I Got You”; Lee Michaels “Do You Know What I Mean”.
Whisper to a Scream by Icicile works
MacArthur Park - Richard Harris
Hocus Pocus - Focus
Their accents are a big part of why the song is a charmer.
No question.
Indeed. 😊
It reminds me of Australia 🇦🇺
@@ProfessorofRock what if it is? What if life itself is a question🤔
Absolutely agreee!
How can you not root for and love any band that goes their own way regardless of what record labels say they need to do. To top the charts without compromising your sound and style is so refreshing. 500 miles will last 500 years! Great episode professor, I can picture you DJing this song years before it became pop culture because you know fantastic music
Exactly! Love their conviction to tell them where to go!
...funny, I actually DJ'd for a 'time', meself (1988- 2008), and used to PLAY the Proclaimers! ...can't remember the Album, the One with their heads together....1987!?
@Professor of Rock
That's why you *NEVER* listen to the suits (ask Katrina and The Waves). This way, success or failure is on your terms.
@@RBS_ This post should have multiple likes for the revelation of another string to the bow but sadly not. Must be end of the week pop fatigue.
Jesse Collin Young leading the Youngbloods at the time refused to take the stage on the Johnny Carson Tonite show because he or the producers wanted them to compromise their song/performance. Carson at the time could make or break a person or band. It was huge that they told them to eat shit!
I absolutely loved the way they used this song in How I Met Your Mother. Just the look on the characters' faces as they sing the song... priceless.
Yes! Good call.
Me as well!
Wrapper2, I was trying to remember which sitcom I had seen using the song!
Yeah. It was a running gag in the show. The only song they could play in Marshal’s car coz the tape got stuck since the late 80s. It only got unstuck once the car was on its final mile and stopped working. 😂😂😂
Don’t blame them!
I was going to name my dog 500 miles........ then I could say I walked the dog 500 miles! 🤣🤣🤣
This song is a real feel good tune. Can't help buy sing along in a happy mood.
Thanks for this obscure dive, Professor! Glad you are feeling better.
Love that!
Maybe just name him Miles, and say that he’s 500 years old? 🤨
@XxLilly_playsXx Kiz
HAHAHAHAHA!
Nah, Russ is good enough. 🤣👍
Yes, great song. There was a Peanuts cartoon where Snoopy was typing a novel where a husband bought a dog and named him Great Reluctance. He told this wife that when he goes on a business trip, she can relax knowing he is leaving her with Great Reluctance.
@@bobdavis4848 "Shortly afterwards, their marriage started to go downhill."
I still remember the next line about 40 years after I saw it.
My sister in law had this for her bridal march song! Her husband wore traditional Scottish attire and kilt as did his groomsmen. Was a great time! Absolutely love this song.
Awesome. Thanks for sharing Bud!
A Scottish wedding, love it!
She's in good company, David Tannant walked down the aisle to The Proclaimers too!
Great memories! Thanks for sharing!
Wow....the House Martins...the Beautiful South.... dude you are bringing back some very fond memories!
The end of the 80s had gotten so saturated by color-by-numbers hair bands and hip hop groups that I was able to discover alt bands like them. Thanks for mentioning them!
There's an absolutely hilarious Molson Canadian ad that features this song that's worth watching. I think it's well-loved because it's an uptempo song that's easy to sing along with and it can't help but make you smile.
The Proclaimers are amazing. I adore the song ''I'm On My Way''. Their voices just blend so well together.
Such a great song.
Me too! I love 500 Miles, but I'm On My Way is such a fantastic tune. If I need a pick me up or to get motivated to get moving and do my work, I stick that song on loud and sing it and soon, all the doldrums just went away... couldn't the world use a little "I'm on my way from misery to happiness today" right now? Ah... if only.
@@hazelmaylebrun6243 Totally agree with you! We could all use a little bit of that!
That song was a big hit in Australia and New Zealand but barely charted in the UK and was nothing elsewhere
Thank you so much for covering one of my favorite bands! The butchery of several Scottish names was also a highlight. 😁 In all seriousness, The Proclaimers are awesome people, I've had the pleasure of meeting them several times after gigs and they're always gracious with their time.
They are the real deal, true socialists too.
The Scots have delightfully weird names.
4:05 Inverness
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Yep, we do. It's all in good fun. You should hear me with some Native American or Spanish names!
@@eightiesmusic1984 Yep, they stand by their beliefs and don't budge an inch. Love them for it.
Definitely try to interview Paul Heaton, he is an underrated genius. His current work with Jacqui Abbott is also well worth a look too, they have done 5 albums together now.
Always gotta love the musicians just being themselves. Nothing to hide, and everything to show. Cheers as always.
Thanks RC32!
@@ProfessorofRock You are welcome!
I was in college at the University of Colorado - Boulder in '93 and my then girlfriend was going to the University of Kansas - Lawrence, which is about 500 miles away from each other. This song immediately had deeper meaning for the two of us. We didn't see one another for much longer after that, but the power of music has rarely meant more than this at that time.
I was at CU at the same time! No girlfriend in Kansas but I remember the song so well, and associate it with Boulder also.
Amazing.
@patluxor2482 I broke up with her, dude. She was way too clingy and needy and had to end it.
I remember dancing at a club in Provo Utah called "The Palace" when they played this. It could only be described as a soft mash pit. The whole floor was bouncing. What a blast! Left an indelible mark in my psyche.
I remember being on a cruise ship and the DJ had everybody do a big 80s singalong and 500 Miles was one of the songs. Not a single person had their mouth shut, not even me. I was recording the whole thing.
I've been there 😊
That's not a mosh... that's pogoing. I have been goth since the age of 15 in 1987, and have been to a ton of punk shows. There is no such thing as a soft mosh, lol.
Oh yes, I love The Proclaimers. One of the rare acts where you can hear the accent, with most singers you can't tell. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) is a fantastic song but Sunshine On Leith is their masterpiece. I can't think of anyone else like them, which is a good thing.
Please cover The Housemartins and fingers crossed you can get an interview. Paul still has that great voice.
Awesome. YES! The Housemartins ROCK!
Elwaves, I totally agree! Sunshine On Leith is a truly beautiful song, and one of the few songs that has actually brung a tear to my eye!
Oh and by the way, I also agree that The Housemartins are awesome too!
@@michaelward5370 Paul Heaton along with Vince Clarke seem to be hugely underated for some reason.
I went for years thinking they were from Australia…
I love this song. I hate that so many people give it crap and put it in hated list, there are several others that deserve that list more than this sing, truely a great song which I'm glad you gave the respect & coverage it deserves.
I think it's great!
I don't understand how anyone could hate this song, it's a true classic!
I know, right? What about this song do people find annoying? I find nothing wrong with 500 Miles.
Well said..Couldn't agree more
It’s a song for 4 year olds, despite the lyrics.
I’m not sure when I first heard “I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)”, maybe when I spent some time in Norway, but I know I loved it in the ‘80s . When Benny and Joon came out it became one of my favorite movies ever. The song was a perfect opening and let me know something special was gonna happen. Thank you for highlighting it!
Love this episode! This was my son’s favorite song when he was 5 years old… I can still hear him belting it out, Scottish accent and all! He’s now the lead singer in his own band, here in South Carolina! Thanks, professor, for always sharing the BEST music and memories!!! 😊
I like your story Amy, it's what life's about
Rock on! 🤘
I love this song. The best use I’ve seen was a farewell video by the cast of Doctor Who when David Tennant and Russell T Davies left the show. Cast and crew participated. It was awesome.
Cool!
And don't forget that the brothers were the ones who brought David Tennant - 'their greatest fan' - the Special Recognition Award (a kind of Lifetime Achievement Award from the British National Television Association) in 2015 😊❤️
Yes, yes, yes! Love Housemartins and Beautiful South. 😍.. and 500 Miles gets me on a dance floor, singing my heart, out every time. 💃🎤
They are way beyond one hit wonders. All their music is good. Love the accents.
The song is absolute musical fun and the essence of pure, selfless love!
Absolutely!
That whole album sis so fantastic. I bought it while in college and constantly had it on play. And I still listen to it today and it always brightens my day. Such a perfect mood lifter.
Cap in Hand is a great song
It really heals your heart.
I have a Boston accent , moved to California in 1989, and I still have it!!! It’s what makes me, me. Their Scottish accent is a great thing. They stayed true to them selves “, 3 chords and the truth!!!
I love these guys. Like Come On Eileen, I cannot not sing as loud as I can whenever it’s on the radio. My wife is the same and it embarrasses my youngest every time we do it. So much so that my oldest now joins in too. It’s on almost every playlist I have, actually they both are.
Gotta sing it with the accent.
How did i know this was the Proclaimers?!? LOL!
Such an earworm. You could not escape this song back in the day. And it really never got old.
It’s an amazing song.
Professor, it is the BEAT that makes this song so great. It marches on with so much power and enthusiasm you actually believe that he's going to make 1000 miles!
It always makes me feel like strutting to someone’s house.
As a Doctor Who fan, I love the video fellow Scott David Tennant did with this song & all of the members of the cast of one of his last episodes as the Doctor. And the Proclaimers (David’s a big fan).
Oh, it makes me so happy that you've put the spotlight on The Proclaimers. They are still going strong too. I enjoyed a moment of real Sunshine on Leith last year when we took a trip to Scotland. That song makes my heart soar and my eyes weep.
And yes!!! Please give some time to the incredible Paul Heaton!!!! He is also still going strong and in a fantastic duo with Jacqui Abbott, a former vocalist with The Beautiful South. She's from my home town and we're very proud of her!
That’s great to hear!
Speaking of Scottish "Bottled Lightning," you should cover "in A Big Country." The band only had one hit in the US but were huge in the UK for about 10 years.
I love that band. Need to track them down.
If we keep asking, one day he might grant our wish. They were kinda the Scottish version of Springsteen. 🙂
The Average White Band were Scottish, too. David Byrne from the Talking Heads was born in Scotland. William and Jim Reid who make up the Jesus and Mary Chain are Scottish to the core. Bon Scott from AC/DC was born in Scotland. The Silencers were a great man from Scotland. As well as Primal Scream. Teenage Fanclub.
If you don't know much about the Jesus and Mary Chain. I really recommend checking them out. They have the melodic sense of the Beach Boys and the noisy, but melancholy buzzsaw aggression of The Velvet Underground
@@markallen2984 The Scots have certainly put a lot of good acts and music out into the world. Simple Minds, Deacon Blue, Amy Macdonald, Del Amitri and Annie Lennox can also be added to the list.
Also bottle lightning on the Skids.
This was the first karaoke song that I became known for singing regularly. I'd get asked to sing it almost every time. It's a fun crowd participation song for sure!
Awesome. You should film it.
@@ProfessorofRock it's been a while since I've sung it now (and don't have the Scottish accent), but maybe I'll do that sometime
THE party song.
Loved this song ever since the I first time I ever heard it. I went to high school at was Scottish based. We had a drum and pipe
(bagpipe)corps and the band wore kilts,and our school fight song was Scotland the Brave. I can still hear it,and if someone is even thinking of playing it,I can smell it like coming
"If it's not Scottish it's crap!" Legit LOL at that. Hubby and I randomly use that quote all the time. I love this song because the guys are so nerdy looking. There's just something so endearing about a guy who knows he's not some Adonis but is willing to go to great lengths to prove he's still a good catch. It's sweet.
SNL gave us a bunch of great one liners!
Why do people keep commenting that they are nerdy, dorky, etc.? I think they are cute. There is nothing wrong with the way they look. Incidentally, there is nothing wrong with the way I look, either. I am neither a dork, nor a nerd. I am slightly above average in looks, but have always found men who were not conventionally attractive to be attractive. I bet they had other women who agreed, even before they became famous. Who says Adonis was attractive, anyway? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Not everyone found me attractive, either. Or any of the so-called beautiful people on the magazines. Ever look at the list of People's most beautiful and think you could find a better looking person walking down the street? I have worked with better looking people than were on the list. Popularity contests, and everyone agrees with it, because if it's written, it must be true. Nope. I would take both Reids over one Adonis any day. Although, that might get awkward.
Just FWIW, in the UK, "Craig" isn't pronounced "Creg" or "Crag", as it is in the USA, but pronounced "cRAYg", to rhyme with "vague". And "Edinburgh" is "EDDIN-burra".
Got it.
Thanks for covering these guys, Professor. I love The Proclaimers. One of the great ones hit wonders of the 80s.
I'm also wondering, since this song became popular after its inclusion to the B&J soundtrack, if that makes them a one hit wonder of the 90s as well? Hmmmm.... 🤔🤔🤔
No joke!
It does.
Do shows on The Housemartins and The Beautiful South. Incredible bands that never got the credit they deserved in the U.S.
Loved the story and research behind this video. I've always enjoyed this song for it's positive message and marching beat. Easy to sing in the shower or on a hike somewhere away from the madding crowds. Besides not knowing what "havering" meant, I appreciate the insight into the cultural authenticity the borthers kept in the song. The Welsh, the Irish and the Scots all do well to keep their cultures alive and vital. Great song.
I thought it was a Scottish derivation of “heaving”, or vomiting.
“Sunshine on Leith”, from the same album, was our wedding song. I hate that they’re considered a “one hit wonder” since they’ve had so many great songs. And they’re still releasing great music today.
Can’t believe you didn’t mention the repeated use of this song throughout the run of “ How I Met Your Mother.” It was a recurring plot element throughout the show and the band itself is discussed in multiple episodes.
And YES, please do an episode on The Housemartins! An amazing band and also worth discussing that member Norman Cook went on to international fame and acclaim as dance artist Fatboy Slim!
YEEEEEESSSSS!!!!! The cassette single was stuck in the tape deck of Marshalls Fiero. Road trip to Chicago solidified Ted and Marshalls friendship singing it over and over. "I'm sick of this song". "Give it a minute and it'll come back around".
Great tune! Gotta love those wee cheeky laddies! Thx Adam!
It's such a feel good ditty! Thanks Robster
I love this song, love The Housemartins and The Beautiful South. Yes to a video of them!
The Scottish accent is without a doubt the best part of this song. I'm not sure if it matters to most people, but for me a great song should have an ending, not just fade to nothing. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" doesn't disappoint there. "I'm On My Way" would probably work without the accent, but it definitely adds something.
Yep. Haverin' wouldn't sound right without the Scottish accent
Great point there Bob!
The proclaimers are amazing live. Great guys too. I was just thinking you should do them. Such an underrated band. Btw, Edinburgh is pronounced ed-in bur-ah not edenburg
Not to mention Inver-NESS, rather than In-VERness! 😃
I used to work with a guy who looked just like them. He was from Aberdeen, and totally incomprehensible.
I had the pleasure of seeing the Proclaimers in Dunfermline when I was on vacation in Scotland in 2010 and loved the whole show. I was surprised I knew so many of their songs. Awesome band, love them!
You should definitely do a video on The Housemartins and Paul Heaton's band The Beautiful South!! Great music out of them.
As always, thank you Professor for anything from the 90's! I love this song!
Rock on!
This is one of my all time favorites. I love their accent, it's what makes this song a hit.
It must have been a big hit in Canada in the late 80s, because i remember it always being played at high school dances in my small town. Awesome song to dance to. I've never seen Benny and June.
I bought the cassette single when it was current, in November or December 1989. Oddly, there's no year mentioned on the tape or the sleeve.
A couple of notes:
Inverness is pronounced Inver-Ness. It means "Mouth of the river Ness". It flows to, of course, Loch (lake) Ness.
Edinburgh is pronounced Ed-in-bruh (said all together quickly).
Adam does incredible research about the songs and bands, but I wish he'd do more research on words he doesn't know. Hearing him say "Eden burg" was so jarring I stopped the video to look in the comments.
I suppose it depends far yer fae! In the North-East it's more like Edin-burra. You're not wrong though. The 'g' should never be heard, no matter where you're from, ken!?
I remember thinking when this song came out, how unique it sounded. I never realized that there was ever an issue because of their accents. To me it was just a catchy son.
There's always a story!
The accents add to the charm!
I was living on my own for the first time when it first came out. It was a hot summer and the AC in my apartment was painfully inadequate, so I tended to stay up really late and then, after classes the next morning, find a cool place at school to sleep in the afternoon. So I was up watching one of the late-night shows when these guys came on. I thought they were brilliant and bought the album the next day.
I was a counselor at a high school age church camp for years. We had several songs we used as "energizers" after meals with simple dance routines somebody had come up with, to get the kids ready for whatever was coming next. This was one of them and was a favorite. A couple of co-counselors got married a couple months after camp, and we all got up and did the energizers during their reception (at the campground, even).
David Tennant is a huge Proclaimers fan and made a nifty video for this song at Christmas once when he was The Doctor, with all kinds of Doctor Who characters featured. Craig and Charlie make an appearance. Have you seen it?
I think their accent adds a perfect depth to 500 miles. And unlike the screaming wonders of today, their song is vocally clear and diction is perfect.
The title song 'Sunshine on Lieth' is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful songs I've ever heard. The kind of song that literally stops you in your tracks & gives you goose pimples. It really is that stunning.
Just watch the scene in “How I met your mother” with this song. It’s the perfect example of how great this song is. If my car music player gets stuck on one song, I can’t think of a better option.
Rock on.
I always sing along. Always.
“I am on the way “ will always reminds of my dear friends that we lost few weeks ago. We worn out the cassette driving around singing along this and 500 miles . Great memories, RIP my brother
My wife and I love the entire playlist from Sunshine on Leith. Our wedding recessional after getting married over 20 years ago was I'm On My Way (From Misery to Happiness) and we were also fortunate enough to see the Reed brothers perform in a small venue in Vancouver a few years ago. The accent is what makes the songs!
Inverness is pronounced In-ver-NESS (like the word less) not In-verniss. Just for future reference
Happy Hour is my absolute favorite New Wave hit (and there's a lot of great songs out there to pick from). That's a lot of energy packed into about 2'18", and the video is great fun (silly dances, Claymation, nuptials!...how can you go wrong?).
Couldn't agree more! Love that video.
@@ProfessorofRock Their version of Caravan of Love was a December number one in the UK in 1986. It was denied the Christmas number one by the re-release success of Jackie Wilson's Reet Petite. Somewhat implausible but then perhaps not in such an off the wall country then and now. I wonder how many of the older generation mistook the crosses shaved into their heads for a religious group trying their hand at pop music for Christmas!
I haven’t seen it. Sounds like something I should check out!
I love how you mentioned Some Kind of Wonderful. It's also a favorite of mine.
I need to apologize for laughing as you admit going overboard as a hopeless romantic. Me too, king, me too 😂❤️
In regards to their accent. The Reid brothers gave a definitive answer when they wrote "Throw the R Away". It makes me laugh every time I hear it since it was released decades ago. Have a listen and I guarantee you it will make you smile... or more.
My family wasn't that wealthy growing up. We didn't have cable TV or anything special. Just the basic over the air channels.
One year my parent did muster up enough money to take the family to California for a vacation.
We had a hotel room (I've never stayed at a hotel before) and I remember finding a music television station for the first time in my life. It was mesmerized by what I was seeing and hearing.
Now, I don't remember much of what was on that night, I only recall one song honestly. This is that song that I still remember to this day. It was the first time I ever heard it and like many of us, I didn't know what to think. All I remember is that I liked it, like really liked it. Some things from our youth we never forget. This is one of those things for me.
My favorite hiking song to pick up the pace going up a mountain...love that song...remember loving it in Benny & Joon too. Great movie
Never thought of it that way!
Hiking! Love it!
Being Scottish, we knew the Proclaimers from their beginning. One of them lived upstairs from my Auntie in Edinburgh, and invited my daughter up to visit. Great guys. Wonderful ambassadors for their country.
its a great song. I heard it played live just the other day by the awesome Irish quartet, the Screaming Orphans. Can't hear it without also singing "shot of vodka, shot of vodka, and a rum and a rum and a rum and a rum and a coke!"
Thanks for bringing us the history.
First time I heard this song was in the opening to Benny and Joon. Loved it from the first time I heard it and it was PERFECT for that movie.
Hey Prof. What a joy to watch that well researched Ep. Indeed re their courage to be themselves. In Australia, apart from the No1 status, it gave this tough British outpost with convict roots a sense of pride in who we were. Rather than mimic the nice round American vowel sounds, from that point on, Australian acts began to more proudly sing with the more harsh Aussie twang. In the 60s and 70s, Australia was a long way from the Paris Catwalks or say the NYC Blues scene. They called it the "tyranny of distance", and we had many a cultural hang up, called our "cultural cringe". These boys blasted through your TV set with ballzy heart and old world charm to say..." Yeah mate. Its all OK." I'm flashing back in my mind running to the TV set with some of my eight brothers and sisters when it came on Saturday morning "Video Hits" show.
Indebted to Craig and Charlie. And of course your incredible show Prof.
Cheers Big Ears ! : ) Mark
Did you see the scammer below @Professorofrock
I remember that Depp film..and the song! I love that song andi dedicated to my little daughter.. The performance of that song in live festivals are amazing..
Great lesson again!
So good!
from the first time I heard this song, I pushed the radio in my mom's rambler to the point of blowing the speakers. It just flowed and gripped me as a listener.
I was in my late 40's and loved to sing along with 500 miles
This song was the catalyst to my greatest moment of triumph, in which I found myself in a British pub 5000 miles away from home listening to a group of drunken Scotsmen singing random karaoke songs when I realized that I was on the cusp of great things, and quickly approached the bar and wrote down the song I wished her to put on next. As soon as the guitar strumming began the *ENTIRE* bar started singing in unison and never missed a word. 6 years later I am still riding that high, Thank you so much for dredging up great memories.
Congratulations your among my winners cheerfully send a message to me immediately to claim your 🎸
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I discovered this song on an audition CD for a music service, sent to my radio station in 2000. It was the only song on that audition that I liked. I bought the record and added to my adult oldies rotation because of its timeless nature.
This has always been one of my favourite songs. It's simple to follow and easy to understand; the story resonates with anyone, and the music rocking but not too hard to enjoy anytime.
Thanks for this episode... never knew the back story. It is the song my son-in-law sang to my daughter, at the reception with his groomsmen singing back up, on their wedding day. Yep, flawless accent and all. He became one of my heroes that day.
It took me a few listens but I finally warmed up to this song back in the 90s.
I wonder if Sheena Easton and Shirley Manson of Garbage were told to lose their accent when singing because when they give interviews you can tell right away they have a Scottish accent ..
The first time I heard this song was at the shopping mall and there was the video playing on a TV monitor. I remember thinking "Who are these nerds?" LOL! 😆 But after a while the song grew on me and I ended up buying their album. Kudos to Mary Stuart Masterson who discovered them. They made a lot of people happy with this song.
I’m an Aussie and it makes me proud that we recognised this gem as the masterpiece it was straight off the bat. I loved this song still do.
Proclaimers also had one other top 10 hit here in Australia .I`m On My Way #4 in April 1989
From misery to happiness today..
Hurray!!! This is the song I hoped it would be about! Loved loved this song in that so sweet movie Benny and Joon. Thanks from a 'alf Scottish lass
I love the Proclaimers, and you should ABSOLUTELY do a show on the Housemartins! So much talent there.
LOVE THIS SONG AND THANK YOU MARY STUART MASTERSON FOR HAVING GREAT TASTE IN MUSIC BRINGING THIS UPBEAT TUNE ABOUT LOVE THAT IS A WONDERFUL CATCHY TUNE!
Mary Stuart rocks!
Awesome song! I'm going to have to agree with you about Some Kind of Wonderful. One of my favorite scenes is Mary rocking out on the drums, being a drummer myself. Great upload, Professor, thanks!
I love the scottish accent.
I bought this single on cassette at Target for 3.00 I think? I hadn't never heard the song but from the moment I pressed play I was hooked. This is such a trip down memory lane!
This song is and always be one my favorites from when I was in the first quarter of my life. I actually remember hearing it before it was in Benny and Joon and wasn't a big fan but after it was in Benny and Joon, it grew on me.
I bought Sunshine on Leith during the revival in '93. Loved the album. Annoyed the heck out of my sister with it. It kinda sat in the back of my music library for a while after that, until I dug it out to play for my wife (around '06/'07). Her middle name is Jean, and she finally asked me why the heck I'd sing "Jean, oh Jean, you let me get lucky with you" all the time. She *really* got into The Proclaimers. We ended up buying their entire catalog, and *drove* 500 miles (yes, really) to see them perform in Minneapolis when they toured in support of the Life With You release. Heck of a show.
Great post Prof!! I knew of the song but knew nothing of the story behind it. So glad you do these stories, I always learn something.
Thanks for listening Mark! We appreciate your support. Have a wonderful weekend.
The David Tennant Doctor Who cast did a video with this song. Loved it !!!
Thanks Professor 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🏵
I saw them just before Christmas. Still going great.
Really? Very cool!
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When I hear this song, I always think of my dear nephew. We were driving around in his truck and this was back when one could get a single song on cassette, he kept playing it over and over. I laughed until I cried. I lost my dear nephew thirteen years ago. I love this song and the wonderful memories.
Please, they are one of my favourite bands to and the "Beautiful South".
They are so great. Thanks Neil. will do
I loved this song immediately and it holds up years later.
I was in Jr high when the re release happened, and we at school all loved singing along on our lunch break in our best Scottish accents
LOL I would steal quarters from my parents change bowl and play Astroids in the back of the local pizza place for hours.
I just can't imagine what that song would have sounded like if sung in something like a middle America news anchor accent or a California accent or something. It sticks in your head at first because those two guys have their own sound, and then you just like the song as a whole from there.
My son first was introduced to this song because of the show How I Met Your Mother. It was the cassette single that was stuck in Marshall's Fiero and that was the only song the could listen to on their trips home from college.
Thanks for 'haverin' part. I never knew what the heck they were saying. I thought it was heaving, as theres another line about getting drunk. I said to myself...THATS love...to basically fall down and throw up (heaving) at her door after you just walked 1,000 miles only to get drunk for. My whole paradigm about self sacrifice and love has now changed forever. Thanx Prof.
We are about to add this song to our playlist and used to play this in my band in the mid/late 90s - always a winner
YES! Get hold of Paul Heaton, and do an interview. I'm more of a rock guy, but I love the music of Heaton. The era where Jacqui Abbott was the singer of The Beautiful South, is just brilliant. One episode with an interview, and one with the music. :)
Man, I've absolutely loved that song from the very first time I heard it! So glad they didn't follow the advice to change their accents!