Euro 96 was the first international tournament I can remember as a kid. British pop culture and music was thriving – and so was Terry Venables’ England squad, as they reached the semi-finals. This mix of sport and music was the perfect storm, and from it some of the most popular England fan songs ever were made. It was from that year onwards that I experienced the national phenomenon that is the England Football Song. Here’s a look at Eight of the best.
Black Grape – ‘England’s Irie’ (1996)
Black Grape teamed up with Joe Strummer of The Clash and comedian Keith Allen for ‘England’s Irie’.
This song is everything you’d expect from such a chaotic link up of party people: a punk legend, the comedic antics of Keith Allen, Kermit’s ad-libs, and the Bonkers lyricism of Shaun Ryder, It’s a mash up of alternative dance, ragga, acid house, and rock and roll – what better way to represent England.
New Order – ‘World in Motion’ (1994)
New Order’s ‘World in Motion’ gained the band their first number one, and set the blueprint for chart-topping England football songs across time. Above everything, its just a genuinely great song that’s well produced and with positive lyrics. Regardless of if you’re an England football fan or not, ‘World in Motion’ is a song that everyone can appreciate.
Baddiel and Skinner and The Lighting Seeds – ‘Three Lions’ (1996)
One of the the most Iconic England songs of all time. “Its coming home” is a tagline that captures all the hope and heartache of the nation throughout virtually every tournament campaign since its release. Written by comedy duo Baddiel and Skinner and composed by The Lightning Seeds frontman Ian Broudie, it’s a song synonymous with the feel good factor of the ’90s Britpop era.
Krept and Konan x S1lva x M1llionz x Morrisson – ‘Olé (We Are England ’21)’ (2021)
A UK rap England song is certainly what we needed by 2021 – especially given the huge impact Black British footballers and music artists have on popular culture at large. For me Krept has the best verse on this song with the opening bar: “Slide like Trent when its time for the mazza / Score like Razza / Shoot like Gazza”.
Fat Les – ‘Vindaloo’ (1998)
‘Vindaloo’ was composed by Blur bassist Alex James and Guy Pratt with lyrics written by Keith Allen (who must be England’s most decorated football songwriter) – plus guest vocals from artist Damian Hirst, who also designed the single artwork. The song has surely one of the catchiest choruses ever: that simple “nah nah nah…. nah nah nah”, sung increasingly louder and louder as the drinking gets heavier.
It’s also got a rather memorable music video too – a parody of ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ by The Verve. Comedian Paul Kaye impersonates a stumbling Richard Ashcroft through the streets of East London, with cameos from the likes of Matt Lucas, David Walliams – and even a young Lily Allen.
Atomic Kitten – ‘Southgate You’re the One (Football’s Coming Home Again)’ (2021)
This song signified a full circle moment in the public persona of Gareth Southgate. Once vilified for his Euro ’96 penalty miss, now praised for leading the England squad to their first final of a major tournament since 1966. The fans adulation for Southgate was expressed in this chant, which became popular during the 2018 World Cup – sang to the melody of Atomic Kitten’s ‘Whole Again’, who then went on and recorded this version of it.
England United – ‘On Top of the World’ (1998)
This is an England song that’s most memorable for the wrong reasons – it was rubbish! On paper it was set to be a banger: England United were a super group formed by The Spice Girls, Echo & the Bunnymen, Ocean Colour Scene, and Johnny Marr. But it failed to emulate the magic of their predecessors Baddiel and Skinner, despite being the Official England song of World Cup ’98 – it was so unpopular with fans at large, who stayed loyal to singing ‘Three Lions’ and ‘Vindaloo’ instead.
Del Amiri – ‘Don’t Come Home Too Soon’ (1998)
Yes, okay, this is not an England song – but I can’t help but feel the Tartan Army deserve an honourable mention for their efforts. Del Amitri topped the Scottish single charts with this song back in 1998. It’s a refreshingly open and honest ballad that’s not about winning or glory: but just simply about making everyone who’s watching at home proud.
