I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
Proclaimers · The Best of The Proclaimers 1987-2002 [2002]
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 drunk next to you
And if I haver, yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's havering to you
But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1,000 miles
To fall down at your door
When I'm working, yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's working hard for you
And when the money, comes in for the work I do
I'll pass almost every penny on to you
When I come home (when I come home), oh I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you
And if I grow old, well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's growing old with you
But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1,000 miles
To fall down at your door
Da da lat da (Da da lat da)
Da da lat da (Da da lat da)
...etc.
When I'm lonely, well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's lonely without you
When I'm dreaming, well I know I'm gonna dream
I'm gonna dream about the time when I'm with you
When I go out (when I go out), well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you
And when I come home yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home with you
I'm gonna be the man who's coming home with you
But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1,000 miles
To fall down at your door
Da da lat da (Da da lat da)
Da da lat da (Da da lat da)
...etc...
And I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked 1,000 miles
To fall down at your door
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
Proclaimers' 1986 hit 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)' stands as a defining anthem of the Irish folk revival, blending traditional ballad structures with a driving, upbeat rhythm that defies its melancholic subject matter. Written by Paul Young and Chris Wright, the song's narrative of a young man traveling to America resonated globally, becoming an enduring symbol of wanderlust and youthful aspiration. Its distinctive accordion-driven sound and catchy chorus propelled it to number one in the UK and across Europe, cementing the duo's status as pioneers of the genre. Featured prominently on their greatest hits collection, the track remains a staple of radio play and a cultural touchstone, illustrating how a simple story of departure transcended its origins to become a universal anthem of freedom and the pursuit of dreams.