As we get closer and closer to the World Cup Finals, we look at the only thing more sinister than the German line up…England’s world cup songs.
5. Collapsed Lung – “Eat My Goal”. The anthem that accompanied England to the 1998 World Cup and has found fame in Coca-Cola adverts ever since. “Ball, ball, ball. Footie, footie, footie.” Lyrical genius.
4. Fat Les – “Jerusalem”. An English anthem that reached number ten in the charts during the Euro 2000 finals. It might not technically be a World Cup tune but it’s so epic, we thought we’d include it anyway.
3. Ant and Dec – “We’re On the Ball”. This agonisingly catchy tune rocketed to number three in the charts during the 2002 World Cup. The video with the two Geordie midgets knocking it about with Becks and the lads was too good to be true. Maybe if the Lions spent more time on the pitch and less in the studio…
2. Fat Les – “Vindaloo”. What a number. Reminding us that football is about curry, a pint and watching England lose in a penalty shoot out, Fat Les’ second effort got him to number two during the 1998 world cup and into the heart of every lad ever since. Vindaloo, vindaloo, vindaloo vindaloo naa naa indeed.
1. Baddiel, Skinner & The Lightning Seeds – “Three Lions”. Three Lions on the shirt. Jules Rimet still gleaming. Thirty years of hurt. Never stopped me dreaming.
Words can hardly express how succinctly this song sums up what it’s like to be an England supporter.
No matter how many times Beckham breaks his metatarsal, Carragher pulls out and England fail to live up to the hype, just an echo of “Football’s coming home” and the crowds are back, the flags flying and the cross of St George on every pub, car and skinhead.
The greatest football song of all time. Fact.
