The Scottish Twins
Formed in 1983 by Scottish brothers Craig and Charlie Reid, The Proclaimers released their debut album, This Is the Story, in 1987. Recorded at the iconic Air Studios in London, the twins quickly captured the public’s attention with their single Letters from America, which climbed to #2 in Ireland and #3 in the U.K.
Their follow-up album, Sunshine on Leith (1988), introduced the duo’s signature song, I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles). While it only reached #1 in Australia, New Zealand, and Iceland, its impact is far beyond chart success—it became a song with a lasting legacy. Any cover band that adds it to their set knows it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Over time, 500 Miles sold over a million copies in the U.K., though it peaked at #11 in the charts. Interestingly, in 2007, a comedy version by Peter Kay and Matt Lucas for Comic Relief topped the charts in both Scotland and the U.K. The charity single swapped the word “walk” with “roll” as the characters performed in wheelchairs.
Since the massive success of their early singles, The Proclaimers have continued to release albums, with their latest appearing in 2022. However, none of their later tracks have reached the heights of 500 Miles or Letters from America.
The twins also recorded memorable covers of Otis Redding‘s These Arms of Mine, The Temptations’ Get Ready (featured in the film Dumb and Dumber), and Roger Miller’s King of the Road.
The Proclaimers Tunes | Related Pages
Get Ready | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Get Ready chords by The Temptations using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, a backing track, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| F5 | Bb | G5 | C |
And I’m bringing you a love that’s true so get ready, so get ready…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Get Ready – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
I’m Gonna Be (500) Miles | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play I’m Gonna Be (500) Miles by The Proclaimers using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| E | E |
When I wake up, well I know I’m gonna be…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: I’m Gonna Be (500) Miles (The Proclaimers) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
King Of The Road | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play King Of The Road by Roger Miller using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Bb | Eb | F | Bb |
Trailers for sale or rent, rooms to let, 50 cents…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: King Of The Road (Roger Miller) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
The Proclaimers on the web
