Posted 27 May 2016 | 3 Comments
Euro fever is sweeping the nation. It’s certainly sweeping our office anyway! The sticker books are almost filled and the pre-tournament friendlies are well under way. With that in mind, we decided to take a break from our usually more industry themed blog entries and get football focused!
It’s a long standing tradition, footballers and popstars alike pour out their hearts and sing for England in the run up to big tournaments. Some attempts have certainly been better than others, but there are those which were simply spectacular! Get ready to tap your feet and sing along. Get pumped for victory. (Hey, it could happen) It’s time for a run down of England’s footballing anthems!
The 1970 World Cup: Back Home – The England Squad
Booby Moore and co sang for England in 1970 and the song reached number 1 in the charts. Unfortunately the team didn’t do quite so well, reaching only as far as the quarter finals that year. England also failed to qualify for the following 2 world cup tournaments but the less said about that the better.
The 1982 World Cup: This Time – The England Squad
The full title of this song is This Time (We’ll Get it Right)… they didn’t. Kevin Keegan and the lads bowed out in the second group phase after a fairly lacklustre performance. Nevertheless, the song is fondly remembered and reached number two in the charts. Not too shabby.
The 1986 World Cup: We’ve Got The Whole World At Our Feet – The England Squad
We had the whole world at our feet. Shame we didn’t have the hand of god to go with it! Gary Lineker won the Golden Boot for the most goals of the tournament so it wasn’t a total loss for our boys that year.
Euro 1988: We’re Going All The Way – The England Squad
We didn’t go all the way, but this song still boasts a seriously catchy 80’s beat and some unforgivable unforgettable hair!
The 1990 World Cup: World in Motion – New Order and The England Squad
The John Barnes rap is legendary in its own right, but this whole song remains a firm favourite for England fans. It was the only UK number one for New Order but what a one to have. Barnsey was selected for his moment in the musical spotlight after a rap battle with other players including Paul Gascoigne, Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle. Now that we’d like to see!
Euro 1996 and The 1998 World Cup: Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home) – The Lightning Seeds/Baddiel & Skinner
Released originally for Euro 96, Three Lions was a massive hit. It topped the UK singles chart in 1996 and again in 1998 when it was re-released unofficially for the World Cup. Unfortunately for dedicated believers, England failed to bring it home from either tournament… there’s always this year! (To see the Euro 96′ version, click here)
The 1998 World Cup: Vindaloo – Fat Les
Another belter from the 1998 World Cup, this song was originally penned as a bit of a joke about football chants. It captured the nation and is still remembered as a great England football anthem.
The 1998 World Cup: The Spice Girls ft. England United (Echo & the Bunnymen, Space, Simon Fowler)
Although somewhat overshadowed in the charts (and the memories of most) by its unofficial rivals, this was actually the official song for the 1998 World Cup.
Euro 2000: Jerusalem – Fat Les
Fat Les shows up again, this time for England’s Euro 2000 campaign. It wasn’t originally commissioned by the FA but it was endorsed – After the success of Vindaloo you can understand why!
The 2002 World Cup: We’re On The Ball – Ant and Dec
It’s Neville to Cambell, Cambell to Rio, Rio to Scholesy, Scholesy, Gerrard. Gerrard to Beckham, Beckham to Heskey, Heskey to Owen… Well at least someone had a plan! The song reached number three in the charts and England reached the quarter-finals. Not exactly the dream ending we’d hoped for but certainly not our worst effort!
Euro 2004: All Together Now 2004 – The Farm ft. The SFX Boys’ Choir, Liverpool
Undeniably an absolute tune, All Together Now was originally released in 1990. The lyrics were inspired by the unofficial Christmas truce of 1914 when British and German soldiers halted their fighting and, among other things, played a game of football. The song was re-released in 2004 for the Euros.
The 2006 World Cup: World at Your Feet – Embrace
The 2006 World Cup is remembered by many England fans as the year Wayne Rooney got himself sent off for stamping on Portugal’s Ricardo Carvalho in the quarter-final. Many more will recall Christiano Ronaldo leading the calls to have Rooney shown the red card and appearing to wink at his team’s bench when his wish was granted. The song is pretty good, even if the memories are less favourable.
Euro 2012: Sing 4 England – Chris Kamara ft. Joe Public Utd
Unbelievable! Kammy’s effort for Euro 2012 raised money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. This was another instance of a non commissioned song being endorsed by FIFA, it’s pretty catchy too!
Euro 2016: To Be Confirmed
No Euro 2016 song for England just yet. Word is that One Direction’s football loving Louis Tomlinson and grime artist Stormzy are front runners to be picked.
