English accents tend to roll the R less than Scots accents do. Basically, by "flattened all my vowels and I threw the r away" they mean not singing in their own accent. This was their first single and is about the way record companies told them "you won't be successful if you sing in your own accent".
Love Scottish, English, Irish, Australian accents....and New York, Chicago, Minnesota, Southern accents. too. Life would be boring if we all sounded like we were from California. Greetings from the Deep South USA, where we threw the R away and added a bunch of extra vowels to make up for it. :)
I love them 1000 times more because of those R's. They are so awesome live (front row, baby!), and Charlie is looking damn sexy without the glasses. I'd pay to hear them sing Hot Cross Buns, they're that good!
When I moved to the States in 1975 a colleague of my father-in-law told me that if I wanted to succeed in the U.S. I would have to lose my accent. It actually as a terrific door opener and has helped contribute quite a bit to my life in the U.S.
Charlie wrote this after they came from going to London to meet a record producer who said theier accent was too strong for popular music so he declined the offer of a record deal! Who's sorry now?
I like the Mousouri accent in America,home of Jesse James.The Proclaimers are east coast,but this song was played in the eighties on a music show called The Tube in London,and it was a cultural turning point for Scots music.As up to that point we had sang in fake American accents like Lu Lu and Sheena Easton.The Proclaimers were one of the first bands to say fuck that,we are proud of who we are and how we sound.And my hats taken of to them cos of that,they opened the doors to do the same now.
LeCutter: it's in reference to when they first tried to break America. A few labels were keen to sign them, on the condition they dropped their accents.
LOVE this! A long time fan but hadn't listened to in awhile. Suddenly it occured to me to look them up here. Lot's of videos and I see one new-to-me song here on YT. Oh boy! :)
People arguing about the america thing. I think it's pretty clear in the song that it was written after an English visit - "make sure my words on your SAXON ears don't grate". Berilleeeant song!!
@LeCutter It sure is an awesome accent! First heard this band around 7 and was totally pulledn by the broge. 23 today and I still think they're awesome
I've been so sad, since you said my accent was bad, he's worn a frown, this Caladonian clown. I'm just gonna have to learn to hesitate, to make sure my words on your Saxon ears don't grate, but I wouldn't know a single word to say, if I flattened all the vowels and I threw the R away. A reference to the way Scottish people speak, not being accepted by the Engish as the "English" language. Scotland has a language all their own and are very proud of it! We like to roll our "Rrrrrs"
weird to remember, once listening to Radio 1's Roundtable and Stan Cullimore of The Housemartins asking these guys to get in touch coz he loves their demo tape.
Good choice of words mate, it is indeed a dialect, that which seperates us from the culture-less English. Our dialect should never "grate on the Saxon ear" for they should never be graced with the presence our tongue!
No Lock Stock your WRONG!!! it was when they were looking for a record company in ENGLAND!!! this song was written BEFORE they went to America it's off the This is the Story Album no Sunshine on Leith. The reason behind it was Simple Minds Lead singer Jim Kerr is scottish but doesn't sing in a scottish Accent & the record company wanted the proclaimers to do the same. but they refused & wrote this song as a protest i suppose at saying this is WHO we are & this is HOW we sing like it or lump it
Cool that they broke barriers for Scottish accents. Funny about trying to sing in fake American accents. During the British Invasion years, some of us here in the US thought English accents were the coolest because of the Beatles and the Stones.
Throwing the "R" away is the difference between, say, the Scottish pronunciation of "beer" as something like "bee-arrgh" versus the English pronunciation of "beeh," where the R isn't actually enunciated.
Now these guys are what I call real musicians, real artists, overflowing with sheer talent.
Saw them in cork great live act and great nand
I never get tired of this song! Passion, humour, musicality, joy, energy and guts!!
As a Bostonian I already threw the R away! I love a Scottish brogue. I hired a guy once just because of his accent!
I'm in need of a job! Any chance?
English accents tend to roll the R less than Scots accents do.
Basically, by "flattened all my vowels and I threw the r away" they mean not singing in their own accent. This was their first single and is about the way record companies told them "you won't be successful if you sing in your own accent".
It pleases my ear, gentlemen.
Love Scottish, English, Irish, Australian accents....and New York, Chicago, Minnesota, Southern accents. too. Life would be boring if we all sounded like we were from California. Greetings from the Deep South USA, where we threw the R away and added a bunch of extra vowels to make up for it. :)
I'm 28 and I would still buy tickets to see these guys perform. Sensational!!!
I love them 1000 times more because of those R's. They are so awesome live (front row, baby!), and Charlie is looking damn sexy without the glasses. I'd pay to hear them sing Hot Cross Buns, they're that good!
When I moved to the States in 1975 a colleague of my father-in-law told me that if I wanted to succeed in the U.S. I would have to lose my accent. It actually as a terrific door opener and has helped contribute quite a bit to my life in the U.S.
We Had To Listen To This Song Over And Over In My English Lesson - It Never Got Boring
Went to the same school as them just 30 years later!!
Arguably, their best song.
I want these guys to tour again. I love this music.
Hells yes! Best prescription ever!
Ahhhh now that I've had a "Craig and Charlie" fix, I can get on with the rest of my day. Heaven to my ears!!
I've seen these guys live. Best gig I've ever been to by a long way!
Fantastic
love this song, so amazing. even better live. go craig and charlie!
Charlie wrote this after they came from going to London to meet a record producer who said theier accent was too strong for popular music so he declined the offer of a record deal! Who's sorry now?
This is such a belter of a song
bloody brilliant boys...
I like the Mousouri accent in America,home of Jesse James.The Proclaimers are east coast,but this song was played in the eighties on a music show called The Tube in London,and it was a cultural turning point for Scots music.As up to that point we had sang in fake American accents like Lu Lu and Sheena Easton.The Proclaimers were one of the first bands to say fuck that,we are proud of who we are and how we sound.And my hats taken of to them cos of that,they opened the doors to do the same now.
I love this song...I wanna go to Scotland now. Really badly.
In Soviet Russia, 'R' throws away you!
lol
2 voices, 1 guitar and a hand clap! FANTASTIC!!!
This is stored in my favourites. I reckon I've listened to it over a thousand times. I f'kn love it!!!!!!
Awesome, both great natural singing voices.
This CD was excellent.. very cool guys
Scottish punk band here, thinking about covering this masterpeice.
Keep the 'R'!!
I love The Proclaimers. Lang may their lum reek!
Fabulous as ever
nothing like a scottish lass talking to you . throws me for a loop everytime i hear that sweet tongue , need me a scottish lassie
now this is MUSIC man...
One of my faves since I was a young college man
They are just so great! I have no words...
This is in my favourites. It's awesome!
This is a great song. And I love their accents!
LeCutter: it's in reference to when they first tried to break America. A few labels were keen to sign them, on the condition they dropped their accents.
Well done, Lockstock, you know the boys! And aren't we pleased they didn't bend to please the masses!!!
Some damn thick accents. I love it!
Just so awesome, love this version...
Charlie is the one with the guitar
GOLD!!!!
Exellent, I love this song. They still sing it the same as they did in the 80's. Anyone see them at "Fat Sams" in Dundee way back then??
my fav Proclaimers song
this band is awesome
Magic
I love the accents... don't change a THING!!!!
just pure class!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i love these guys
fantastic , bravo!!¬!!
Brilliant
Wooaahhh !!
This gives me goose bumps.
Love the text :)
really cool!!!!
Thanks for the upload, the best version I'v ever seen. harmonees are beautifull. Scotland be proud!!
you should be proud, it sounds lovely!
Makes me glad av got ears!
Love u Charlie and chris your axsent is the BEST!
Chris? Haha
fantasic
Wonderful..!
@Piscesm00n68 I have been listening to The Proclaimers' music everyday for the past 4 days and I feel fantastic. They are the best medicine! =)
This is the only song of theirs I have always liked and I LOVE it :)
"How I met your mother" introduce me to The Proclaimers ...and is awesome XD
LOVE this! A long time fan but hadn't listened to in awhile. Suddenly it occured to me to look them up here. Lot's of videos and I see one new-to-me song here on YT. Oh boy! :)
really enjoying this!
Even better in live!!! I LOVE IT :)
such an inspiration, absolutely great, i love it :-)
Fantasticos!!Que par espectacular!!!
LOVE IT!
People arguing about the america thing. I think it's pretty clear in the song that it was written after an English visit - "make sure my words on your SAXON ears don't grate". Berilleeeant song!!
this is the smartest song ive ever heard
@LeCutter It sure is an awesome accent! First heard this band around 7 and was totally pulledn by the broge. 23 today and I still think they're awesome
I've been so sad, since you said my accent was bad, he's worn a frown, this Caladonian clown. I'm just gonna have to learn to hesitate, to make sure my words on your Saxon ears don't grate, but I wouldn't know a single word to say, if I flattened all the vowels and I threw the R away.
A reference to the way Scottish people speak, not being accepted by the Engish as the "English" language.
Scotland has a language all their own and are very proud of it! We like to roll our "Rrrrrs"
love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love it. :-)
weird to remember, once listening to Radio 1's Roundtable and Stan Cullimore of The Housemartins asking these guys to get in touch coz he loves their demo tape.
That was Fab.
that was sooo cool ;D
makes me proud to be scottish
Fuck, these guys are beautiful. Especially the one on the right.
As a Scot in England I celebrate the RRRRRRRRRRRR - curly wurly!!!!!
Murrrrrrrderrrrrrr
i wish i had a accent like that :D
be proud of ;)
sweet =D
Good choice of words mate, it is indeed a dialect, that which seperates us from the culture-less English. Our dialect should never "grate on the Saxon ear" for they should never be graced with the presence our tongue!
should be Scotlands new national anthem !
Thanks :)
I like this WAY more than I would walk 500 miles.
No Lock Stock your WRONG!!! it was when they were looking for a record company in ENGLAND!!! this song was written BEFORE they went to America it's off the This is the Story Album no Sunshine on Leith. The reason behind it was Simple Minds Lead singer Jim Kerr is scottish but doesn't sing in a scottish Accent & the record company wanted the proclaimers to do the same. but they refused & wrote this song as a protest i suppose at saying this is WHO we are & this is HOW we sing like it or lump it
Ohhhhh Charlie looking so handsome in this vid
Cool that they broke barriers for Scottish accents. Funny about trying to sing in fake American accents. During the British Invasion years, some of us here in the US thought English accents were the coolest because of the Beatles and the Stones.
thumbs up if u thought that they were brothers
i love living in England! my accent gets me so many girls lolol downside is.. i have to repeat myself
oh i like this one :o)
haha!! fantastic.
I´m guessing you´ve got a good accent! and I
love the sentement of your comment.
Throwing the "R" away is the difference between, say, the Scottish pronunciation of "beer" as something like "bee-arrgh" versus the English pronunciation of "beeh," where the R isn't actually enunciated.
The Poclaimes - Thow The ' ' Away
they would be good to have around during a keg party.
This is a fucking good song.
gweat song (i threw the R away)
@Forbzyful Just all part of being Scottish man. Never gonna flatten my vowels, and through my R's away.