| "I'm on My Way" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by the Proclaimers | ||||
| from the album Sunshine on Leith | ||||
| Released | 1989 | |||
| Recorded | 1988 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:45 | |||
| Label | Chrysalis | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Pete Wingfield | |||
| The Proclaimers singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"I'm on My Way" is a song by Scottish folk pop duo the Proclaimers from their 1988 album Sunshine on Leith. It was released as a single in 1989 and reached number 43 in the United Kingdom and number three in Australia. The lyrics "I'm on my way from misery to happiness today" differ from "I'm on My Way", the spiritual of the same name.
In the United States
The song was promoted to US Pop radio stations in September 1993 after "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" achieved success there following its inclusion on the soundtrack of Benny & Joon; "I'm Gonna Be" had originally peaked at number 23 on the US Modern Rock chart in March 1989. "I'm On My Way" failed to chart, despite gaining airplay on twelve US pop radio stations.[1]
In popular culture
The song was famously used on the soundtrack of the animated film Shrek, which was released in 2001.[2] It was also used as the theme music of the BBC Radio Four comedy series The Maltby Collection.[3] An instrumental version was briefly used on Are We There Yet?, which was released in 2005.[4]
In keeping with the group's support of Scottish football club Hibernian, "I'm on My Way" was played at Hampden Park immediately after Hibernian's victory in the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final.
Kikki Danielsson covered the song with lyrics in Swedish written by Ulf Söderberg. This version was named Jag är på väg and is on her album Canzone d'Amore (1989),[5] and her compilation album I dag & i morgon (2006).
Scottish trials cyclist Danny MacAskill used the song as the soundtrack for his 2020 cycling stunt video, Danny MacAskill's Gymnasium.[6][7] "I'm on My Way" was included as the outro song on the Canadian television show Mr. D on the eleventh and final episode of the seventh season.[citation needed]
Personnel
- Craig Reid – percussion, lead vocals, backing vocals
- Charlie Reid – backing vocals, acoustic guitar
- Jerry Donahue – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
- Phil Cramham – bass
- Paul Robinson – drums
- Steve Shaw – fiddle
- Pete Wingfield – harmonium, organ, piano
- Suart Nisbit – mandolin
- Gerry Hogan – lap steel
Charts
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[9] | 3 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] | 5 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[11] | 43 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[12] | Gold | 35,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[13] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ "Issue Number 1008" (PDF). worldradiohistory.com. 3 September 1993. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ "8 of the best songs featured in 'Shrek' films". dontboreus.thebrag.com. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "The Maltby Collection". comedy.co.uk. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Are We There Yet? (2005) Soundtrack". ringostrack.com. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Canzone d'amore / Kikki Danielsson". smdb.kb.se. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Danny MacAskill's gym workout is absolutely not like yours". bikeradar.com. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Danny MacAskill hits the gym in latest mind-blowing video". cyclingweekly.com. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ Proclaimers, The (11 November 2023). "I'm on My Way by The Proclaimers". Tidal.
- ^ "The Proclaimers – I'm on my Way". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ "The Proclaimers – I'm on my Way". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 225.
- ^ "British single certifications – Proclaimers – I'm on My Way". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 April 2022.