Top Five - Sunshine on Leith

Do you ever suddenly rediscover a musical that you’ve loved for ages, but for some unknown reason you haven’t listened to in a really long time? And when that happens, do you find yourself suddenly listening to nothing but this musical that has wormed itself back into your life? Well, that has been me for the last week or so after Spotify created a playlist for me, and I randomly decided to listen to it, bringing Sunshine on Leith shuttling back into my life.

I first discovered Sunshine on Leith with the release of the movie musical in 2013, finally seeing it live at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024, and the movie cast recording is what has been on loop recently for me.

Using the music of the famous double act The Proclaimers, Sunshine on Leith tells the tale of Davey and Ally, two young soldiers adjusting to life as they return home to Edinburgh where they are forced to deal with the trials and tribulations of jobs, relationships and family as they try to work out what they really want to do with their lives away from the army. Many great, earworm, musical numbers are scattered throughout, all cleverly used to move the story along and weave the characters stories together in a truthful, at times brutal, look at life.

I could listen to the entire cast recording on loop without a single skip, but here I am trying to narrow it down to just five for you. Here we go.

5. Letter from America

A touching number used here to illustrate characters moving on to pastures new, leaving behind people and places that they have always known and loved. It’s repetitive lyrics and sweet tune makes it extremely catchy.

4. I’m on my Way

In the musical, this albeit brief musical moment is full of joy and excitement as Ally and Davey walk the streets of Edinburgh upon their return from serving overseas. Thrilled to be home, they find happiness in the simplest of moments and when watching the movie, the eagle eyed amongst you may even spot a cameo from The Proclaimers themselves in this early on scene.

3. Then I Met You

A song that highlights how falling in love and meeting the right person can turn a life around, even when you thought you had gotten everything out of life. This upbeat musical number is as charming as it is catchy, and it is used in a way that is perfectly crafted to make you love the characters more regardless of their, at times, questionable decision making.

2. Over and Done With

As friends gather for a night in the local pub, they talk about things that they have gone through and things that they have had to move on from. Sounds a little dark and done in the dumps perhaps, but Over and Done with is high energy, fun and comical, guaranteed to make you smile and have you dancing.

1.     I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)

Perhaps the most famous Proclaimers song around, Sunshine on Leith takes 500 miles and splits it into two halves. First slowed down as Davey is left to make a big decision about just how far he would go for love, then big loud and back to its normal speed, in the movie becoming a big dance flash mob moment surrounded by Edinburgh landmarks. It is just so much fun and I absolutely love it.

Have you seen, or listened to, Sunshine on Leith? What is your favourite musical number?