THE PROCLAIMERS

The Proclaimers are a couple of Scottish twins named Craig and Charlie Reid. They’re pretty much only known in the States for their mega-hit “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”, which achieved it’s success thanks in part to the now forgotten movie Benny and June. Your kids might recognize their song “I’m On My Way” thanks to its inclusion in one of the Shrek films.

Here’s a few things you won’t find on a soundtrack, or on any of their albums:

The Proclaimers - “I Can’t Be Myself” From the “Throw the ‘R’ Away” single. Their first single. Their first b-side.
The Proclaimers - “Make My Heart Fly” (Band Version) Released as a single. This is the first song I ever heard by them. I tried in vain for years to hunt down this version. Now here it is for you. Original acoustic version is on This Is the Story. (buy)
The Proclaimers - “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” (Acoustic Version) By far their biggest international hit. This version is from a Radio Forth session released on their website. Original version is on Sunshine on Leith. (buy)
The Proclaimers - “Guess Who Won’t Beg” Definitely my favorite of their b-sides. From the “What Makes You Cry” single.
The Proclaimers - “Invitation To the Blues” Roger Miller cover from the “Let’s Get Married” single.
The Proclaimers - “Joyful Kilmarnock Blues” (Live at the Glasgow Barrowlands, 1994) From the “These Arms of Mine” single. Original version is on This Is the Story. (buy)

Also keep an eye out for their version of “500 Miles” with comedians Brian Potter and Andy Pipkin. It was issued as a charity single, and is still in print, so I won’t post it here. You can buy it here.

The Proclaimers Discography:

This Is the Story (1987) (buy)
Sunshine on Leith (1988) (buy)
Hit the Highway (1994) (buy)
Persevere (2001) (buy)
Born Innocent (2004) (buy)
Restless Soul (2005) (buy)
Life With You (2007) (buy)