I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
- For the traditional American song also known as "500 Miles Away from Home" or "Railroaders' Lament", see 500 Miles.
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" | ||||
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Single by The Proclaimers | ||||
from the album Sunshine on Leith | ||||
Released | August 1988 (UK) June 1993 (US) 2000 (re-release) | |||
Recorded | 1988, Chipping Norton Recording Studios, Oxfordshire[1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:37 | |||
Label | Chrysalis | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Pete Wingfield | |||
The Proclaimers singles chronology | ||||
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"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" is a song written and performed by Scottish duo The Proclaimers, and first released as the lead single from their 1988 album Sunshine on Leith. The song reached number 11 in the UK Singles Chart on its initial release and has since become their most popular song worldwide. It was a number 1 hit in Iceland, then number 1 in Australia and New Zealand in early 1990.[4]
In 1993, following its appearance in the American film Benny & Joon, the song was released in North America and many other countries around the world. It reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States in August 1993, as well as number 8 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart and number 25 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart;[5] it also reached number 4 in Canada.[6] In 2007, the Proclaimers re-recorded the song with English comedians Peter Kay and Matt Lucas for the UK's Comic Relief charity telethon, scoring a number one hit in the UK and outperforming their original UK chart run.
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" has become a live staple at the Proclaimers' concerts. The duo played it at Edinburgh 50,000 – The Final Push at Murrayfield Stadium on 6 July 2005, the final concert of Live 8, to symbolise the conclusion of "The Long Walk to Justice".
Background
The song was mainly written by Craig Reid in August 1987 while waiting to travel to a Hibernian Football Club match in Aberdeen. Reid recalled, "I can remember sitting at the piano wondering how many steps it would be to the new classroom (I originally thought 83) and the chords just came to me. I reckon I wrote the whole thing in 45 minutes. I knew that it was a good song, maybe even a single, but I had no idea how popular it would become."[7] Reid has said that the band's earnings from the song are about five times the rest of their catalogue combined.[4]
Later success
Originally recorded and released in 1988, the song's success was initially limited mostly to the United Kingdom and Australia. Later in 1993, it was included as one of the main themes of the 1993 American romantic comedy film Benny & Joon starring Johnny Depp and Mary Stuart Masterson; subsequently, due to its exposure during the film, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" reached the top 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart during the summer of that year.[8][6]
Track listing
All tracks written and composed by Charlie and Craig Reid, except where noted.
- 7" single
- "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" – 3:37
- "Better Days" – 3:14
- 12" single
- "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" – 3:37
- "Better Days" – 3:14
- "Teardrops" – 2:33
- CD single
- "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" – 3:37
- "Better Days" – 3:14
- "Teardrops" – 2:33
- "I Can't Be Myself" (Merle Haggard) – 2:30
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Italy (FIMI)[26] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[27] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[29] | Gold | 800,000[28] |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Comic Relief version
"(I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles" | ||||
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Single by the Proclaimers featuring Brian Potter & Andy Pipkin | ||||
Released | 17 March 2007 | |||
Recorded | 1988, 2007 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:41 | |||
Label | EMI | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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The Proclaimers singles chronology | ||||
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Peter Kay singles chronology | ||||
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Comic Relief singles chronology | ||||
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In 2007, the Proclaimers re-recorded the song with Peter Kay and Matt Lucas as their characters Brian Potter from Phoenix Nights and Andy Pipkin from Little Britain respectively. There is a slight change in the title of the song, with the parentheses placed around "(I'm Gonna Be)" rather than "(500 Miles)". The lyrics also include a change, with the words "roll 500 miles" replacing "walk 500 miles", because the characters Brian Potter and Andy Pipkin are both in wheelchairs. "(I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles" was released as a charity single for Comic Relief immediately following its performance on the Comic Relief 2007: The Big One television show on BBC1 on 16 March 2007.[30] It reached number 3 on the official UK Singles Chart on download sales alone, and one week later reached number 1, where it remained for three weeks. It sold 126,000 copies in its first week, making it the biggest selling number one of the year up to that point.[31] Its sales were double that of the official Comic Relief single by Girls Aloud vs. Sugababes, and their cover of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way". The song ended 2007 as the year's 8th biggest-selling single in the UK.[32] The song was popular in Ireland as well, and peaked at #7 in Irish Singles Chart.
Kay also directed a video clip of the song featuring himself as Brian Potter, Lucas as Andy, David Walliams as Lou, The Proclaimers and an audience of celebrity guests, comprising Johnny Ball, David Beckham, David Bellamy, Dusty Bin, Tony Blackburn, Stan Boardman, Basil Brush, Bob the Builder, Holly Willoughby, Bucks Fizz, Cannon and Ball, Bob Carolgees & Spit the Dog, Jasper Carrott, Keith Chegwin, Jimmy Cricket, Tess Daly, Bobby Davro (referred to in the lyrics), Carol Decker, Sally Dynevor, Lesley Garrett, Andy Gray, Clare Grogan, Paul Henry, Frazer Hines, Siobhan Redmond (credited as "Her off Holby City"), Elton John, The Krankies, Burt Kwouk, Bonnie Langford, Eddie Large, Michael Le Vell, Limahl, Kenny Lynch, Des Lynam, Timmy Mallett, Jennie McAlpine, Bill Oddie, Paul O'Grady, Postman Pat, Wendi Peters, Robert Powell, Rod, Jane and Freddy, Rupert the Bear, Showaddywaddy, Status Quo, Frank Sidebottom, Sonia, Dennis Taylor, David Tennant, Willie Thorne, Kate Thornton, Dave Lee Travis, Martin Tyler, Roy Walker, Louis Walsh, Pete Waterman, Elton Welsby, June Whitfield, Gary Wilmot, and Bob Wilson. Osama bin Laden (then still a fugitive terrorist), Lord Lucan (missing since 1974) and Shergar (a kidnapped race horse) are also falsely credited as appearing in the video.
Track listing
- CD single
- "(I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles" – 3:41
- "(I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles" (1988 Original Version) – 3:39
The enhanced CD and DVD also featured the promotional video for the song and a photo gallery.
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
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Certifications
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References
- ^ "The Proclaimers – I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". Discogs. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ Ygelsias, Matthew (21 May 2007). "The Ultimate Nineties Alt-Rock Playlist". The Atlantic.
- ^ a b Leeson, Josh (20 April 2019). "The Proclaimers on how songs can carry you 500 miles and beyond". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ a b Simpson, Dave (10 August 2015). "The Proclaimers: how we made I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". theguardian.com. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
- ^ "The Proclaimers Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts".
- ^ a b "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers". toponehitwonders.com. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ Thrills, Adrian (23 March 2007). "What a Relief! It's No.1 at Last". The Daily Mail. London, England: Daily Mail and General Trust.
- ^ "Benny & Joon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Rachel Portman". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ "The Proclaimers – I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "The Proclaimers – I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "The Proclaimers – I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2221." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2217." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 41. 8 October 1988. p. 26. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Tonlist Top 10". DV. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I'm Gonna Be". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "The Proclaimers – I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "The Proclaimers – I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "The Proclaimers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Singles 1989". ARIA.
- ^ "End of Year Charts 1989". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "The RPM Top 100 A\C Tracks of 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1993". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – The Proclaimers – I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 23 September 2019. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "British single certifications – Proclaimers – I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
- ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1993". Billboard. 106 (3). BPI Communications: 73. 15 January 1994. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- ^ "American single certifications – Proclaimers – I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Stars unite for Comic Relief show". BBC News. 17 March 2007. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ "Singles – 31.03.07: The Proclaimers". Music Week. London, England: UBM. 31 March 2007.
- ^ a b "The 2007 Official Singles Chart". Music Week. London, England: UBM: 11. 12 January 2008.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "British single certifications – Proclaimers ft Brian Potter & Andy Pipkin – I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
External links
- Single chart usages for Germany2
- Use dmy dates from June 2011
- 1988 singles
- 1993 singles
- 2007 singles
- British alternative rock songs
- Number-one singles in Australia
- Number-one singles in Scotland
- UK Singles Chart number-one singles
- The Proclaimers songs
- Chrysalis Records singles
- EMI Records singles
- Football songs and chants
- Comic Relief singles
- 1988 songs
- Song recordings produced by Pete Wingfield
- Scotland national football team songs