324) The Proclaimers - Sunshine On Leith

Want one of those reviews where I tell you nothing about the record that I occasionally write. Of course you do.

I’m from Glasgow and my son met a young lady from Edinburgh, the romance blossomed, and they are now happily married with two children.

Now I have no footballing ability at all clearly my talent is writing (just go with it) but my daughter in laws dad played for Hibs so naturally her family are all Hibs fans, and my grandchildren almost certainly will be.

My team is Liverpool (father supported them and the wonder of Kenny Dalglish) and through the thirty years of not winning the title I could at least point out that we had the best anthem. Then in 2016 Hibs won the Scottish Cup after a 114 year wait, I watched it as my son was there and as the Hibs fans celebrated their win, I thought bugger we don’t even have the best anthem anymore.

For those that don’t know, the song was The Proclaimers Sunshine On Leith, watch their fans belt it out here   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt26StUVHoc&pp=ygUWaGlicyBzdW5zaGluZSBvbiBsZWl0aA%3D%3D. We have recently suffered a death in the family, and the coffin was brought into this song, the emotions displayed and its meaning for the family just emphasised to me that The Proclaimers wrote a song that clearly means a lot to people.

I have no feelings for Hibs, but I do think it’s a great song and it reminded me of watching The Proclaimers on The Tube in 1986. They didn’t look like pop stars, and it was great to hear them sing in their Scottish accents.

I said at the start I would tell you nothing about the record, okay briefly, I have always had a soft spot for them and the brothers went full on band mode on this record, it contained the big hits I’m Gonna Be and I’m On My Way.  However, Then I Met You and What Do You Do are well worth your time and they provide an excellent cover of Steve Earle’s My Old Friend The Blues.

Up here in Scotland they have become a bit of an institution, forgive the ramblings, and give them a listen.

7/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Sunshine On Leith