Hit the Highway

Last updated

Hit the Highway
Proclaimers hit the highway.jpg
Studio album by
Released7 March 1994 (1994-03-07) [1]
Studio Chipping Norton
Genre
Length42:34
Label
Producer Pete Wingfield, the Proclaimers
The Proclaimers chronology
Sunshine on Leith
(1988)
Hit the Highway
(1994)
Persevere
(2001)
Singles from Hit the Highway
  1. "Let's Get Married"
    Released: 7 February 1994 [3]
  2. "What Makes You Cry?"
    Released: 5 April 1994 [4]
  3. "These Arms of Mine"
    Released: 10 October 1994 [5]

Hit the Highway is the third studio album by the Scottish folk rock duo the Proclaimers, released in March 1994 by Chrysalis Records. It took them six years to follow their second album, Sunshine on Leith . The album included three singles: "Let's Get Married", "What Makes You Cry?" and "These Arms of Mine". It topped the charts in Scotland, debuting in the top-10 in the UK while also charting in Austria, Canada and Sweden.

Contents

The album's sound continued in the band-based rock vein of its immediate predecessor Sunshine on Leith. Featuring elements of blues, country, gospel, R&B, rockabilly and soul, its style was compared favourably to traditional American music and to 1960s pop. The album's lyrics eschewed the political themes of previous works and instead had a heavy focus on spirituality. [6]

Recording

For the recording of Hit the Highway, the duo returned to Chipping Norton Studios in Oxfordshire, England where their breakout album Sunshine on Leith (1988) had been recorded. The album was recorded over a period of 6 weeks. [7] The duo's studio band once again featured Fairport Convention members Jerry Donahue and Dave Mattacks. Other performers on the album included Tim Renwick, known for his work with Al Stewart, and Squeeze drummer Kevin Wilkinson.

It notably took the duo over five years to follow up the album's predecessor, Sunshine on Leith (1988). Explaining the delay in releasing new Proclaimers material, lead vocalist Craig Reid explained that the duo "could easily have had an album out three years ago but it would have had maybe a couple of good songs and the rest of them would have been mediocre". Other factors for the delay included the birth of Craig Reid's first child, a daughter, in late 1992, and the breakup of Charlie Reid's marriage. [8]

Music

Style and sound

Donald McKenzie of The Ottawa Citizen described Hit the Highway as a "diverse offering" with elements of country, gospel and rhythm and blues. [8] In a review of Hit the Highway, People observed that the band "play back-to-basics, acoustic rock and roll and R&B", [2] further remarking that, despite the band being Scottish, "you can't find music more American" and that the record "invokes [...] legends like [Buddy] Holly and Otis Redding". [2] Joe Stevens of The Daily Pennsylvanian described the music as "heavily influenced by blues and soul" and "almost a throw-back to '60s pop". [9]

Themes

Hit the Highway included spiritual themes in the lyrics, such lyrics questioning organised religion ("I Want To Be A Christian"). On the album's religious dimension, Charlie Reid commented, "There's a belief in God, that's for sure [...] I'm very unsure about religion, I'm suspicious of it and I certainly couldn't call myself a Christian as such. But I'm very interested in religion, in trying to reach God in whatever way you do it." [10] [6]

The album's themes of spirituality, children and relationships was noted as being more "adult" than those of the grunge scene that dominated alternative music at the time. Duo member Craig Reid told The Sacramento Bee that the contrast was "not conscious", further explaining; "we're not trying to be the opposite of what was fashionable [...] I like some of the stuff grunge bands do, and I think you can have both. Like when punk first came out in Britain, it was not all this thrashy stuff. There was room for a lot of different things, and I think there should be room in alternative music". The album's themes also contrasted with some of those on its predecessor Sunshine on Leith (1988), as Hit the Highway was largely apolitical, owing little to their previous Scottish nationalist and left-wing themes. [11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Los Angeles TimesStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]

Hit the Highway received a mixed critical reception. AllMusic 's Daevid Jehnzen described the album as "strong" and as having "many fine songs", but criticized its lack of a "knockout single". [12] Peter Galvin of Rolling Stone was more positive, remarking that the band "reinforce their passionate beliefs with music that is almost anthem-like in its fervor". However, he criticized the band's convictions as having come off "a bit too vehemently". [6]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Charlie and Craig Reid; except where indicated

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Let's Get Married" 4:19
2."The More I Believe" 4:03
3."What Makes You Cry?" 2:40
4."Follow the Money" 3:25
5."These Arms of Mine" Otis Redding 3:15
6."Shout Shout" 3:15
7."The Light" 3:08
8."Hit the Highway" 3:55
9."A Long Long Long Time Ago" 4:11
10."I Want to Be a Christian"Sullivan S. Pugh2:04
11."Your Childhood" 3:37
12."Don't Turn Out Like Your Mother" 4:42

Personnel

Personnel are adapted from the liner notes of Hit the Highway. [14]

The Proclaimers

Additional musicians

Production

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for Hit the Highway
Chart (1994)Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [15] 19
Canada Top Albums/CDs ( RPM ) [16] 38
Scottish Albums (OCC) [17] 1
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [18] 34
UK Albums (OCC) [19] 8
Chart (2024)Peak
position
Hungarian Physical Albums (MAHASZ) [20] 18

Certifications

Certifications and sales for Hit the Highway
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [21] Silver60,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

A two-CD Collectors Edition of the album was issued in the UK by Chrysalis in 2011, with a remastered version of the studio album and a bonus disc containing B-sides, live-versions and a BBC Radio session track. [22] In 2017, the album was re-released in Europe on vinyl by Parlophone Records. [22]

RegionDateFormat(s)LabelRef.
United Kingdom22 March 1994 Chrysalis [22]
Europe1994
  • CD
  • cassette
Chrysalis [22]
United States1994
  • CD
  • cassette
Chrysalis [22]
Canada1994
  • CD
  • cassette
Chrysalis [22]
Japan1994
  • CD
Chrysalis [22]
South Africa1994
  • CD
Chrysalis [22]
Gulf Corporation Council1994
  • Cassette
  • Chrysalis
  • Stallions
[22]
Indonesia1994
  • Cassette
Chrysalis [22]
United Kingdom2011
  • 2xCD
  • Chrysalis
[22]
United Kingdom2017
  • LP
Parlophone [22]

Notes

  1. "Album Releases". Music Week . 5 March 1994. p. 20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Pick and Pans Review: Hit the Highway". People. 18 April 1994. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  3. "Single Releases". Music Week. 5 February 1994. p. 29.
  4. "Single Releases". Music Week. 2 April 1994. p. 21.
  5. "Single Releases". Music Week. 8 October 1994. p. 25.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Galvin, Peter. "Album Reviews - The Proclaimers: Hit the Highway". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2 October 2007. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  7. "Twins proclaim their love for Midlands". Heartland Evening News: the Voice of Nuneaton, Hinckley, Bedworth and Atherstone. 7 October 1994.
  8. 1 2 McKenzie, Donald (27 June 1994). "Proclaimers find success mixed blessing". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  9. Stevens, Joe (31 March 1994). "Music". The Daily Pennsylvanian. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  10. Breakwood, Sue (21 August 1994). "Scottish Proclaimers Hit Beach". Virginian Pilot. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  11. Sullivan, Jim (31 July 1994). "Proclaimers buck grunge, tap into adult themes". The Sacramento Bee.
  12. 1 2 Jehnzen, Daevid. "Hit the Highway - The Proclaimers - Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  13. Hochman, Steve (24 April 1994). "The Proclaimers - Hit the Highway". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  14. Hit the Highway (booklet). The Proclaimers. Chrysalis. 1994. CDP 528602.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. "Austriancharts.at – The Proclaimers – Hit the Highway" (in German). Hung Medien.
  16. "Top RPM Albums: Issue 1619". RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  17. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  18. "Swedishcharts.com – The Proclaimers – Hit the Highway". Hung Medien.
  19. "The Proclaimers | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart.
  20. "Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2024. 38. hét". MAHASZ . Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  21. "British album certifications – The Proclaimers – Hit the Highway". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 24 December 2019.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "The Proclaimers - Hit the Highway - Releases". Discogs. Retrieved 3 January 2020.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Proclaimers</span> Scottish musical group

The Proclaimers are a Scottish rock duo formed in 1983 by twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid. They came to attention with their 1987 single "Letter from America", which reached No. 3 in the United Kingdom, and the 1988 single "I'm Gonna Be ", which topped charts in Australia, Iceland and New Zealand. The duo's biggest album, Sunshine on Leith (1988) has been certified multi-Platinum in Australia and Canada, selling over 2 million copies worldwide, including around 700,000 in the United States. The Proclaimers have sold over 5 million albums worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)</span> 1988 single by the Proclaimers

"I'm Gonna Be " is a song written and performed by Scottish duo the Proclaimers, and first released in August 1988 by Chrysalis as the lead single from their second album, Sunshine on Leith (1988). The song reached number 11 in the UK Singles Chart on its initial release and topped the charts of Australia, Iceland, and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Murmurs</span> American pop duo

The Murmurs were an American alternative pop music duo composed of singer-songwriters Leisha Hailey and Heather Grody.

<i>The Single Factor</i> 1982 studio album by Camel

The Single Factor, released in 1982, is the ninth studio album by English progressive rock band Camel. The album was essentially a contractual obligation album, created under pressure from Decca Records to produce a hit single, and the "made-to-order" nature of its composition resulted in a selection of songs described as "odd" on the band's official website. Unlike previous Camel albums, The Single Factor consists exclusively of shorter compositions around 3 to 5 minutes in length.

<i>Stationary Traveller</i> 1984 studio album by Camel

Stationary Traveller is the tenth studio album by English progressive rock band Camel. Like much of Camel's output, it is a concept album, in this case centering on the trials of East German refugees attempting to cross the Berlin Wall from East Berlin into West Berlin. The album also touches on the theme of politics between the two different government ideologies. It is the last Camel album to be recorded on the Decca label.

<i>This Is the Story</i> 1987 studio album by The Proclaimers

This Is the Story is the debut studio album from Scottish rock duo The Proclaimers, released in 1987. It was originally released with 12 tracks but after the success of the Gerry Rafferty-produced full band version of "Letter from America", which reached number 3 in the UK Single Chart, it was re-pressed later that year with that track added.

<i>Persevere</i> 2001 studio album by The Proclaimers

Persevere is the fourth studio album by Scottish folk rock duo The Proclaimers, released in 2001 on their own label Persevere Records, as a comeback album after seven years of low profile. The album's first single featured "There's a Touch", "A Land Fit for Zeros" and "They Really Do".

<i>Sunshine on Leith</i> (album) 1988 studio album by the Proclaimers

Sunshine on Leith is the second studio album by Scottish folk rock duo the Proclaimers, released in September 1988 through Chrysalis Records. The record spawned four singles: "I'm Gonna Be ", which topped charts in Australia, New Zealand and Iceland; "Sunshine on Leith", a ballad that has become an anthem for Scottish football club Hibernian F.C.; the No. 3 Australian hit "I'm on My Way"; and the Australian-exclusive "Then I Met You". The non-single "Cap in Hand" also came to prominence in 2014 with the Scottish Independence referendum.

<i>Born Innocent</i> (The Proclaimers album) 2003 studio album by The Proclaimers

Born Innocent is the fifth studio album by Scottish rock duo The Proclaimers, released in 2003 on their own label, Persevere Records, and produced by Edwyn Collins. Born Innocent reached No. 70 in the UK Albums Chart as well as No. 7 in the duo's native Scotland. The release also made the Top 10 of the UK Indie Chart.

<i>Restless Soul</i> (album) 2005 studio album by The Proclaimers

Restless Soul is the sixth studio album by Scottish alternative folk duo The Proclaimers, released in 2005 on their own label Persevere Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm on My Way (The Proclaimers song)</span> 1989 single by the Proclaimers

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Letter from America (song)</span> 1987 single by the Proclaimers

"Letter from America" is a song written and performed by Scottish band The Proclaimers, that appears on their 1987 debut album, This Is the Story.

<i>Life with You</i> 2007 studio album by The Proclaimers

Life with You, released in 2007, is the seventh studio album by the Proclaimers. It appeared on W14, a joint venture label between Universal Records and John Williams, the man who gave the Proclaimers their first recording contract on Chrysalis Records. The album reached number 13 in the UK Albums Chart, and No. 1 in the duo's native Scotland where it spent 17 weeks on chart. The album attracted a generally favourable reception, and has been certified Silver by the BPI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunshine on Leith (song)</span> 1988 single by the Proclaimers

"Sunshine on Leith" is a ballad by Scottish folk rock duo the Proclaimers. Released in 1988, it is the title-track and second single from their album Sunshine on Leith.

<i>Notes & Rhymes</i> 2009 studio album by The Proclaimers

Notes & Rhymes is the eighth studio album by Scottish folk rock duo the Proclaimers, released in 2009. It was produced by Steve Evans and recorded at Rockfield Studios.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roddy Hart</span> Scottish musician

Roderick John Hart is a Scottish singer–songwriter, composer and broadcaster from Glasgow. As a solo artist, he has released three records – Bookmarks, Sign Language and Road of Bones – and one EP, The Dylan EP. Hart also releases albums with his band the Lonesome Fire, the first of which was the self-titled Roddy Hart & the Lonesome Fire produced by Danton Supple. Released in late 2013, the album was nominated for the Scottish Album of the Year Award in April 2014. Their second album, Swithering, was co-produced by Paul Savage and released in 2016. The band made their American network TV debut on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on 17 February 2014 and proved so popular they were invited back the following week to perform a week-long residency on the show.

<i>Like Comedy</i> 2012 studio album by The Proclaimers

Like Comedy is the ninth studio album from Scottish folk rock duo The Proclaimers, released in 2012 on Cooking Vinyl. The album reached number 31 on the UK charts. The album's first single was "Spinning Around in the Air", which reached No. 17 on the UK Indie Singles Chart.

<i>Lets Hear It for the Dogs</i> 2015 studio album by The Proclaimers

Let's Hear It for the Dogs is the tenth studio album from Scottish folk rock duo The Proclaimers, released in 2015 on the label Cooking Vinyl. The album's release was promoted by extensive touring in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand.

"Make My Heart Fly" is a song by Scottish music duo the Proclaimers. Originally released on the band's 1987 album This Is the Story, "Make My Heart Fly" saw a more complete, full-band release as a single in 1988.

<i>Dentures Out</i> 2022 studio album by the Proclaimers

Dentures Out is the twelfth studio album by Scottish folk rock duo the Proclaimers. It was released on 16 September 2022 on Cooking Vinyl. The album was the third Proclaimers album to be recorded with Dave Eringa, known for his work with Manic Street Preachers whose guitarist James Dean Bradfield performed on the record. The record was supported by promotional tours in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.