The Proclaimers: I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) Meaning
Song Released: 1987
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) Lyrics
I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you
When I go out yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you
If I get drunk well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who gets...
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1TOP RATED
#1 top rated interpretation:It is 500 miles from Edinburgh to London. This song, like many of the Proclaimers' songs, is a protest against the 300 year old political union between Scotland and England. The singers are not singing about what they're prepared to do for the love of a woman, they're singing about their love for Scotland.
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2TOP RATED
#2 top rated interpretation:Came up with a new interpretation while analysing the lyrics:
First verse:
Two young lovers meet.
He woos her ("I'm going to be the man who wakes up next to you.") ("I would walk 500 miles.")
They start dating; act silly and get drunk at bars ("When I get drunk."/"When I haver").
Eventually they get married.
Second verse:
Times become tough. He is forced to go overseas to look for work.
She wants to go too, but chooses to stay home to help look after both his and her ageing parents.
He finds work in this faraway place (America?). He lives a very frugal life, eating as little as possible; so he can send as much as he can back home to her and his family ("When I'm working./"Pass almost every penny on to you")
He dreams about finally being able to come home to his love while abroad (“I would walk 500 miles"), until he finally gets back to her one day.
Eventually, they grow old together. ("When I grown old.")
Third verse:
They grow old together. He's still relatively healthy, but her health is failing.
Eventually, she dies. ("When I'm lonely.")
When he dreams, he sees her again in his dreams.
("When I'm dreaming.")
Not too long later, he too passes in his sleep; meeting his love again in the afterlife.
("Coming home to you.") ("I would walk 500 miles.")
It's a timeline of a relationship.
This song is a whole lot deeper than I always thought it was.
Anyone agree with this interpretation? Got a different interpretation?
Regards,
elej -
Just heard it on the radio and googled the lyrics.
I sounds like someone trapped in a relationship.
He's never going to leave her and knows he has to spend the rest of his live with her, but he would do anything(walk a thousand miles) to be with the one he realy loves.
Just my interpretation! -
Just a few points:
1. I do believe it is a love song.
2. Haver means "to possess". What he has, he will give to her (just like the money).
3.Notice the desperation in the grunts during the final "I would walk 500 miles..." line. He is literally using all his energy to get to his love. Hence the refrain "to fall down at your door".
4. At the end of the song is the only time it's said "with you" despite the lyrics all saying "with you" throughout the song. I had the cassette back in the day. I've since lost it. Perhaps that could settle it. -
Look, its 500 miles to london and the guy misses his girl.
He's had to go south from Edinburgh to find work and provide for his family.
The 'almost every penny' is a Scottish joke meaning he loves her but he also likes to keep some of his wage for himself (probably for beer or something).
He loves her so much he's saying he would walk that distance if he had to.
It's not complicated, it's simple. -
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers, very clear lyrics but the lyrics will make you think.
The latest comment. I think you really analyzed the lyrics, especially the lines you mentioned.
About my thoughts, the first line.. the reason why he is lonely without her because he wants to be with her. He wants to be beside her and he misses her. I think he loves her. The second line, he dreams of her because he misses her. He dreams of the time when they were together. I think he dreams of the kiss they had ( I saw the video), of course, he is not alone when he dreams of her because when he dreams about her, it's like they are together. But that's the reason he dreams of her because he wants her presence, to be beside her. He loves her. Therefore, he is lonely without her. My thoughts, your welcome.
- Same person who made comments recently these past two weeks -
Curious as to what others think I'd appreciate any thoughts you may have thx .I may have a different take on the song but these two lines?? "when I'm lonely I'm going to be the man who's lonely without you" question so is he or is he not lonely or alone? Saying that he's going to be the man who's lonely without her one could assume that he won't be alone or lonely because he says without therefore they will be together. The simple assumption is the fact that without her he will just be lonely. Due to the fact that the next line in the song is about dreaming about the times.which also again assume he would never be alone without her because he could dream of her or there times together,therefore he could be the man whos lonely without her being always dream of her which gives the feeling of not being alone. I'd appreciate any one's thoughts on this I know it may be too literal, but I'd still appreciate your thoughts thank you
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It also has to do with Canadian Hero, Terry Fox who tried to run across Canada to raise money for Cancer Research.
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The only 500 mile walk that I am aware of is The Way to St. James which is a Christian Path to the tomb of apostle St. James in Cathedral de Santiago. Pilgrims would take this religious walk for many reasons, thousands of people still do today. Some to seek penance, others enlightenment, and still others for a sense of adventure. As for the song a man who is willing to make the 500 mile walk and back is showing someone that they committed to the love of that person.
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I love the interpretation by anonymous symbolising the highland clearances the proclaimers are very patriotic and who knows mate you might be spot on. Also this isnt there only hit.
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Dare I add a theoretical twist to this slightly heated exchange.
A lot of proclaimers songs are steeped in Scottish history. In fact you could say that it is the theme of the original album from which 500 miles is taken, would you not agree?
I suggest therefor that rather than being a simple love song could it not refer to the time of the land clearances and the economic migration that then resulted. Many highlanders would have migrated alone leaving their loved ones behind to await their return (hopefully with the means to redeem them) this could well have involved two separate journeys of 500 miles (whether literally or symbolically). a lot of these Highland migrants would have gone to English cities or even Glasgow or Edingborough etc etc.
An economic migration still takes place today of coarse though more through choice than extreme poverty.
What say you? -
Thank you for the interpretations though they be few and far between. I chose this song for a speech in my speech class and what you guys gave helped me so thank you lots!
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This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
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This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
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This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
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Okay I love your backstory, but that tells us absolutely nothing about this song meaning.
This song is definitely a love song. He is saying that he would walk 500 miles and then 500 more (1000) just to be with her. No doubt this was there only good hit, but he did write it and it does have a meaning.
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