I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)

The song was mainly written by the duo in 1988 while they were sitting in a flat in Edinburgh waiting to play a gig in Aberdeen. Craig Reid has said that the band's earnings from the song are about five times more than the rest of their catalogue combined.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/aug/10/the-proclaimers-how-we-made-im-gonna-be-500-miles |title=The Proclaimers: how we made I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) |last1=Simpson |first1=Dave|date=10 August 2015 |website=The Guardian |access-date=10 August 2015}}

The Stud Brothers from Melody Maker said, "The Proclaimers are a real pick-up, the sonic equivalent of a warm and welcome blanketbath. [...] Jolly good show chaps."{{cite magazine|author=The Stud Brothers|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/51145015380/|title=Singles|magazine=Melody Maker|date=20 August 1988|page=32|access-date=31 October 2023}} Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "We have to get used to this, the acoustic Scottish duo being supported by a full line-up of instruments. Produced by Pete Wingfield, this highly rhythmic pop song is a taster to the forthcoming LP, Sunshine On Leith."{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1988/M&M-1988-09-03.pdf|title=Previews: Singles|magazine=Music & Media|date=3 September 1988|page=13|accessdate=20 July 2022}} Jane Solanas from NME commented, "This is a rousing, romantic ditty that is slightly less brain-torturing than 'Letter from America', but only just. It's real fairisle jumper, bushy beards, and beer in a tankard time. Acid [h]ouse has not touched The Proclaimers."{{cite magazine|first=Jane|last=Solanas|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/51151260721/|title=Singles|magazine=NME|date=20 August 1988|page=16|access-date=31 October 2023}}

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 the exposure it received through the film, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" reached the top three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart during the summer of that year.{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/benny-joon-original-motion/id327049562|title=Benny & Joon (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Rachel Portman |access-date=23 November 2016 |publisher=iTunes}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web|url=http://toponehitwonders.com/pop/im-gonna-be-500-miles-the-proclaimers/|title=I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers|access-date=23 November 2016|publisher=toponehitwonders.com|archive-date=29 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329030250/http://toponehitwonders.com/pop/im-gonna-be-500-miles-the-proclaimers/|url-status=dead}}

All tracks were written and composed by Charlie and Craig Reid, except where noted.

• 7-inch single

1. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" – 3:37
2. "Better Days" – 3:14

• 12-inch single

1. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" – 3:37
2. "Better Days" – 3:14
3. "Teardrops" – 2:33

• CD single

1. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" – 3:37
2. "Better Days" – 3:14
3. "Teardrops" – 2:33
4. "I Can't Be Myself" (Merle Haggard) – 2:30

• Craig Reid – lead vocals, tambourine
• Charlie Reid – backing vocals, acoustic guitar

Additional personnel

• Jerry Donahue – electric guitar
• Pete Wingfield – keyboards
• Phil Cranham – bass guitar
• Dave Mattacks – drums
• Paul Robinson – drums

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The song has been associated with Terry Fox in You Tube due to its runner theme.

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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|artist=Proclaimers|title=I'm on My Way|award=Platinum|relyear=1988|certyear=1989|certref={{cite Ryan|page=225}}|access-date=1 October 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=The Proclaimers|title=I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)|award=Platinum|id=11770|type=single|relyear=1988|certyear=2022|access-date=25 October 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=The Proclaimers|title=I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1988|certyear=2019|id=7117|access-date=23 September 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|award=Platinum|number=4|artist=The Proclaimers|title=I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)|relyear=1988|certyear=2024|type=single|source=radioscope|refname="RMNZ"|access-date=27 February 2025}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=The Proclaimers|title=I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=1988|certyear=2024|access-date=8 December 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Proclaimers|title=I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2004|certyear=2022|id=3235-1498-1|access-date=28 January 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|artist=The Proclaimers|title=I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)|award=Gold|type=single|region=United States|relyear=1993|certyear=1993|salesamount=800,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FwgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA73|title=Best-Selling Records of 1993|magazine=Billboard|publisher=BPI Communications|date=15 January 1994|access-date=4 May 2015|page=73|issn=0006-2510|volume=106|number=3}}}}

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{{Infobox song

| name = (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles

| cover = 2007 Release I'm gonna Be.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = the Proclaimers featuring Brian Potter and Andy Pipkin

| album =

| released = 17 March 2007

| recorded = 1988, 2007

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = {{flatlist|

• Celtic rock
• folk pop
• college rock

}}

| length = 3:41

| label = EMI

| writer = {{flatlist|

• Charlie Reid
• Craig Reid

}}

| producer =

| chronology = The Proclaimers

| prev_title = Restless Soul

| prev_year = 2005

| next_title = Life with You

| next_year = 2007

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Peter Kay

| type = single

| prev_title = (Is This The Way To) Amarillo

| prev_year = 2005

| title = (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles

| year = 2007

| next_title = The Winner's Song

| next_year = 2008

}}

{{Extra chronology

| artist = Comic Relief

| type = single

| prev_title = Walk This Way

| prev_year = 2007

| title = (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles

| year = 2007

| next_title = Just Can't Get Enough

| next_year = 2009

}}

}}

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.{{cite news |title=Stars unite for Comic Relief show |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6457201.stm |work=BBC News |date=17 March 2007 |access-date=18 January 2015}} 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.{{cite journal |title=Singles – 31.03.07: The Proclaimers |periodical=Music Week |publisher=UBM |location=London, England |date=31 March 2007}} 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.{{cite journal |title=The 2007 Official Singles Chart |periodical=Music Week |publisher=UBM |location=London, England |page=11 |date=12 January 2008}} 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, 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, Amanda Mealing, Terry Nutkins, Bill Oddie, Paul O'Grady, Postman Pat, Wendi Peters, Robert Powell, Rod, Jane and Freddy, Rupert the Bear, Showaddywaddy, Status Quo, Frank Sidebottom, Sonia, Kathy Staff, Dennis Taylor, David Tennant, Willie Thorne, Kate Thornton, Dave Lee Travis, Roy Walker, Louis Walsh, Pete Waterman, Lizzie Webb, June Whitfield and Gary Wilmot.

Osama bin Laden (then still a fugitive terrorist), Lord Lucan (missing since 1974) and Shergar (a kidnapped racehorse) are also falsely credited as appearing in the video.

• CD single

1. "(I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles" – 3:41
2. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" (1988 Original Version) – 3:37

The enhanced CD and DVD also featured the promotional video for the song and a photo gallery.

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry |region=United Kingdom |type=single |artist=Proclaimers ft Brian Potter & Andy Pipkin |title=I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) |award=Silver |relyear=2007 |certyear=2007 |id=3235-1057-1}}

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{{Reflist}}

• {{youTube|tbNlMtqrYS0|Official Music Video}}

{{The Proclaimers}}

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Category:1988 songs

Category:1988 singles

Category:1993 singles

Category:2007 singles

Category:The Proclaimers songs

Category:British alternative rock songs

Category:Celtic rock songs

Category:Chrysalis Records singles

Category:Comic Relief singles

Category:EMI Records singles

Category:Association football songs and chants

Category:Number-one singles in Australia

Category:Number-one singles in Iceland

Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand

Category:Number-one singles in Scotland

Category:Scotland national football team songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Pete Wingfield

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles