Those who can do, those who can't talk about it: May 2014

With the league season now at an end, football fan’s attention can now be turned towards Brazil and the upcoming World Cup. Unless you support either of the Madrid clubs, in which case Saturday is quite important. Here I’ve compiled a small list of songs that should help get a World Cup party started. It’s not a comprehensive list, but there are some big songs on there. There’s a mixture of England songs (had to be there as I’m English), as well songs from previous World Cups and other football related games and adverts. The less said about this year’s official England World Cup song by Gary Barlow though, the better.

Honourable mentions go out to Bell and Spurling for their immortalisation of ex-England manager Sven Goren Erikson with ‘Sven Sven Sven’. Also worth noting the 1970 England World Cup squad’s effort with ‘Back Home’. The classic ‘Nessun Dorma’ will also mean a lot to people having been the anthem to Italia ’90. There was also ‘Eat My Goal’ by Collapsed Lung at the other end of the musical spectrum. ‘Seven Nation Army’ by the White Stripes has also recently been the adoptive chant of many football fans across the world.

Apologies for the quality of some of the YouTube clips, but 240p was quite popular back in the day.

Ant ‘n’ Dec- We’re on the Ball: 2002 saw the Geordie duo record this cheesy yet quite good England World Cup song. It has everything a good terrace anthem needs and even pays homage to England’s 5-1 win in Germany during the qualification campaign.

Baddiel & Skinner feat. Lightning Seeds- 3 Lions 98: Possibly the ultimate football song, Baddiel and Skinner struck gold when they teamed up with Brit Pop band the Lightning Seeds to record a song for Euro ’96. Rerecorded for the ’98 World Cup, the song is my personal favourite football anthem.

Dario G- Carnaval de Paris: The official song for the 1998 France World Cup, it really does evoke the carnival atmosphere that a World Cup brings. Fantastic song.

Elvis vs JXL- Little Less Conversation: It’s not so much the song, which is great, but the advert it was used in that evokes such good memories. So many legends in three minutes.

Fat Les- Vindaloo: Perhaps the definitive terrace sing along anthem, ‘Vindaloo’ by Fat Les is one of the best football songs you will hear. Subtle and sophisticated it isn’t, but you can sing/shout along till your heart’s content. Some great lyrics in there as well.

Gregor Salto- Samba Do Mundo (Fatboy Slim): A new song for this year, and it comes courtesy of Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim. With a new Brazil themed album especially for the World Cup, this is one of the first songs to appear. A good Samba themed song to help get you in the mood.

K’Naan- Waving Flags: One of the best World Cup songs in recent years, it isn’t just a great World Cup song; it’s a great song full stop. It did suit the 2010 South Africa World Cup though, and showed a unity the tournament promotes.

New Order- World in Motion: Arguably the best England World Cup song, ‘World in Motion’ graced the nation’s ears during Italia ’90. It’s popularity is mainly down to one part of the song in particular… the John Barnes rap. Sing along if you know the words.

Safri Duo- Played-A-Live (The Bongo Song): Ok I’ll be honest, the sole reason this song is here is because it features in FIFA Football 2003. That said it’s a good song and has a carnival feel to it. What more could you want?

La Copa De Todos: Another song for this year’s tournament, there are a few versions of this song kicking around but this Coca Cola version is pretty good. Whichever one you find though, they’ll all help you forward to a summer of football.