Jennifer Alvarado has released a cover of The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” to all streaming platforms. The cover comes on the heels of Alvarado’s springs EP Lately. “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” first appeared on The Proclaimers’ second album, 1988’s Sunshine on Leith.
Alvarado’s take hews close to her other work, focusing on a more folk/Americana instrumentation than the original. With a slower, but still persuasive tempo, she removes the Proclaimers’ more shouty vocals and instead goes with a more traditional vocal line. But it doesn’t blunt the emotion of the message of the song, which still comes through loud and clear.
Alvarado said in an interview that she has loved the song since she was a child and first heard the song on the soundtrack for the Johnny Depp film Benny & Joon. And in a nod to the film, the image accompanying the single was designed to look a lot like the artwork featuring the band on the soundtrack.
