The Proclaimers (This Is The Story)

The Album
“The Proclaimers” debut album “This is the Story,” released in 1987, stands as a testament to the power of honest storytelling through music. The Scottish duo, comprised of twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid, embarked on a musical journey that would later define their distinctive folk-rock sound and lyrical authenticity.
One of the album’s standout features is undoubtedly the Reid brothers’ distinctive vocals. Their thick Scottish accents are a central part of their charm, adding an extra layer of authenticity to their heartfelt lyrics. The album’s opening track, “Throw the ‘R’ Away,” immediately showcases their unique vocal prowess, drawing listeners into their world.
The album’s lead single, “Letter from America,” remains one of The Proclaimers’ most iconic tracks. The song’s upbeat tempo, combined with lyrics that touch on themes of emigration and longing, strikes an emotional chord. Its catchy melody and sing-along chorus make it a classic that resonates with audiences today.
Throughout the album, The Proclaimers displays a knack for writing simple yet significant lyrics. Songs like “Sky Takes the Soul” and “It Broke My Heart” are introspective and poignant, capturing universal emotions of love, loss, and self-discovery. The stripped-down arrangements allow the lyrics to take center stage, showcasing the brothers’ ability to convey complex emotions with clarity.
“This is the Story” isn’t without its moments of lightheartedness. Tracks like “The Doodle Song” and “Long Black Veil” infuse a touch of humor and playfulness into the album. These songs provide a delightful contrast to the more introspective tracks and demonstrate The Proclaimers’ versatility as songwriters.
While the album generally maintains a consistent folk-rock sound, there are instances where the brothers experiment with different musical elements. “Make My Heart Fly” incorporates a more pop-oriented sound, adding variety to the album’s sonic landscape.
If there’s one criticism to offer, it’s that some of the tracks share a similar musical structure, leading to moments where the album’s flow might feel a bit predictable. However, the strength of the Reid brothers’ songwriting and vocal delivery more than compensates for this minor flaw.
Conclusion
In hindsight, “This is the Story” laid the foundation for The Proclaimers’ enduring career. Its heartfelt storytelling, combined with the brothers’ unique vocal style, carved out a distinct niche for the duo in the music industry. This debut album remains a remarkable journey through emotions, relationships, and personal experiences – a time capsule of the late 1980s that continues to captivate listeners with its sincerity.
In summary, “This is the Story” is a timeless album that showcases The Proclaimers’ knack for crafting relatable narratives and melodies that linger long after the music fades. While it may have been their introduction to the world, its impact continues to be felt, and its songs continue to be sung with enthusiasm by both long-time fans and new generations alike.
Track Listing
- Throw the ‘R’ Away
- Over and Done With
- Misty Blue
- The Part That Matters
- (I’m Gonna) Burn Your Playhouse Down
- Letter from America
- Sky Takes the Soul
- It Broke My Heart
- The First Attack
- Make My Heart Fly
- Beautiful Truth
- The Joyful Kilmarnock Blues
- Letter from America
Letters From America
Lyrics
When you go will you send back
A letter from America?
Take a look up the railtrack
From Miami to Canada
Broke off from my work the other day
Spend the evening thinking about
All the blood that flowed away
Across the ocean to the second chance
I wonder how it got on when it reached the promised land?
When you go will you send back
A letter from America?
Take a look up the railtrack
From Miami to Canada
I’ve looked at the ocean
Tried hard to imagine
The way you felt the day you sailed
From Wester Ross to Nova Scotia
We should have held you
We should have told ya
But you know our sense of timing
We always wait too long
When you go will you send back
A letter from America?
Take a look up the railtrack
From Miami to Canada
Lochaber no more
Sutherland no more
Lewis no more
Skye no more
Lochaber no more
Sutherland no more
Lewis no more
Skye no more
Lochaber no more
Sutherland no more
Lewis no more
Skye no more
I wonder my blood
Will you ever return
To help us kick the life back
To a dying mutual friend
‘Cause, do we not love her?
Do we not say we love her?
Do we have to roam the world
To prove how much it hurts?
When you go will you send back
A letter from America?
Take a look up the railtrack
From Miami to Canada
Bathgate no more
Linwood no more
Methil no more
Irvine no more
Bathgate no more
Linwood no more
Methil no more
Irvine no more
Bathgate no more
Linwood no more
Methil no more
Irvine no more
Bathgate no more
Linwood no more
Methil no more
Lochaber no more