FOOTBALL songs don’t often work.
But when they do, they have the power to rouse a nation into getting behind a football team, which is what rapper Krept and Konan will want to do with this year’s tune – which will be featured in BBC Three doc, Krept and Konan: We Are England already available on BBC iPlayer.
And over the years, as England have made us proud or shed a tear by their performances in major tournaments, we’ve been treated to pop songs designed to make us feel nationalistic in support of our boys.
From bands like The Lightning Seeds and Embrace to the all-conquering Spice Girls, they’ve all had a go at producing a pop hit.
THE BEST
Baddiel & Skinner and The Lightning Seeds, Three Lions
It’s testament to this song’s longevity and timeless appeal that it’s still sung today by England fans – some who weren’t even born when it was originally released.
At Euro ’96, it was the accompaniment to a great tournament – thanks in part to its brilliant lyrics written by Fantasy Football hosts David Baddiel and Frank Skinner that managed to capture the hurt and hope we all have as England fans.
Add a catchy chorus and tune by Ian Broudie of The Lightning Seeds and you have a winner.
Fat Les, Vindaloo
Simplicity is the key to making a song sing-along worthy — and Vindaloo has that to a tee.
Fat Les, made up of actor Keith Allen, Blur guitarist Alex James and shark slaying artist Damien Hirst, made their anthemic song ahead of the 1998 World Cup that’s led by a simple marching drum beat.
The video, a mickey-take of The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony, had actor Paul Kaye getting a bit of a buffeting too.
New Order, World In Motion
Hipsters in London’s East End or Manchester’s Northern Quarter will consistently argue this to be the greatest football song EVER written.
Originally called ‘E is for England’, the FA vetoed the title because they thought it sounded like a drug reference to ecstacy.
Famously, the 1990 hit featured a John Barnes rap – which we all know the lyrics to. Again, Keith Allen was involved in this one too.
England United, (How Does it Feel to Be) On Top of the World
To be fair, England United didn’t stand a chance coming up against Fat Les and Vindaloo – even though their’s was supposed to be the official anthem of the France ’98.
The supergroup were formed by Echo and the Bunnymen, Ocean Colour Scene, Space and the Spice Girls.
The song, co-written by The Smiths legend Johnny Marr, peaked at No9 in the charts, and on reflection doesn’t sound as bad as others we’ve heard since.
Embrace, World At Your Feet
Released in 2006, Embrace’s World At Your Feet is somewhat of an underrated football anthem, in our eyes.
It’s the McNamara brothers Danny and Richard at their finest – belting out a big chorus for the masses to enjoy.
There’s even a tease to Three Lions, with the stirring “It’s coming…” lyric.
THE REST
Ant & Dec, We’re On the Ball
Perhaps the purveyors of light TV entertainment Ant & Dec should have stayed in their lane.
They were charged with singing the official England song for the 2002 World Cup – and boy did they do an questionable job.
Frank Skinner called it right in an interview the same year it was released. “Terrible,” was his one-word to describe it.
Bell & Spurling, Sven Sven Sven
Clearly English comedy music duo Bell & Spurling were trying to have a laugh.
However, their Sven Sven Sven ditty called then England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson a “lovely geezer” and said goalie David Seaman should own a Mark one Escort and sovereign ring because of his pony-tail and moustache.
There’s even a Jimmy Saville haircut reference in this ill-timed effort from 2002.
Chris Kamara, Sing 4 England
Kammy has always fancied himself as a bit of a crooner.
But, perhaps, he should’ve left it to the professionals with his 2012 tune Sing 4 England.
Hindered by terrible lyrics, it tried to be catchy… we say tried faintly.
England ’82 World Cup Squad, This Time (We’ll Get It Right)
Now this is an absolute stinker. And we didn’t either, getting eliminated from the 1982 World Cup at the second group stage.
Featuring the likes of Kevin Keegan, Peter Shilton and Viv Anderson, This Time (We’ll Get It Right) incredibly charted at No2.
Beats us how, it’s as tuneless as Shilts’ vocals and instantly forgettable.
Will Krept and Konan get it right with their rap song? They’ll need the team to capture the nation’s attention to.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
