aaamusic | On 08, May 2012

This summer, football fans across the country come together for one of the world’s biggest tournaments – Euro 2012, held this year in Poland & Ukraine. Captured here on CD courtesy of Spectrum Audio and Universal Music is a thorough collection of world football’s most recognizable theme tunes, flag waving classics & terrace anthems. This collection of fan favourites is the soundtrack to the highs, the lows and all the singing in between. Included on this collection are five Top 10 tracks, including two Number 1s.

 

Here is the track listing “commentary”.

 

1. Match of The Day Theme – Sacre

Over the years there may have been many version recorded but football TV coverage is simply incomplete without this.

 

2. Football, Football – Edmundo Ros

This Latin homage to the beautiful game regularly features in TV coverage and is guaranteed to raise spirits.

 

3. Mas Que Nada – Sergio Mendes

Another Latin classic and football TV favourite this is the aural equivalent of some exquisite Pele dribbling. Pure class and recorded in the golden year of ’66.

 

4. Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da – The England World Cup Squad

This England World Cup Squad serve up a truly unique version of this Ska influenced Beatles classic.

 

5. Que Sera Sera – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band

England supporters know only too well, whatever will be, will be and Dexy’s Midnight Runners favourite Geno knew this too in ’66 when he recorded it.

 

6. Sportnight Theme – Tony Hatch

Mr Hatch should have been knighted for his services to TV themes in the 60s and 70s. This one from 1974 is one of his many sporting classics.

 

7. Keep on Running – The Spencer Davis Group

This UK No.1 hit from ‘65 has provided the sound bed for more training footage TV features at both club and country level than anyone can remember and one spin explains why.

 

8. On The Ball Theme – John Schroeder Orchestra

Another classic football TV theme tune, this time from ITV’s Saturday’s lunchtime spot way back (and briefly revisited by Gabby Logan).

 

9. Jerusalem

This piece needs no introduction but this recent version is class boasting both the Royal Choral Society and BBC Concert Orchestra.

 

10. Rule Britannia

Flags out as Della Jones and the BBC Concert Orchestra raise the stakes.

 

11. Land Of Hope & Glory

Seeing as we’re already standing and waving flags we might as well continue.

 

12. If the Kids Are United – Sham 69

This muscular summer top 10 hit from 1978 was immediately adopted for terrace chants the next season and it’s easy to hear why.

 

13. Saturdays Kids – The Jam

The Jam were popular with football fans and this cut, reminiscent of the times features a first verse that includes the line ‘…drink lots of beer and wait for half time results’. Perfect.

 

14. Lily the Pink – The England World Cup Squad

Talking of beer, this UK No.1 for The Scaffold and subsequent good humoured terrace favourite gets ‘the team’s’ unique vocal treatment. It’s hard not to sing along.

 

15. World Cup Willie – Lonnie Donegan

His skiffle records influenced John Lennon whilst this, recorded with some foresight in 1965 sought to humorously benefit from our adventures in ’66. Quality.

 

16. Nessum Dorma – Luciano Pavarotti

It’s hard to imagine a time when this classic won’t be associated with the World Cup yet it wasn’t always so, recorded as it was way back in 1973.

 

17. The Dambusters March

Time to reach for the flag again; we’re on the march to the top.

 

18. Theme from The Great Escape

The nation’s lost count of how many times the boys have played their way into and out of trouble!

 

19. Celebration – Kool & The Gang

Where’s the champagne, we’ve done it?

 

20. Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners

The end is nigh, so why not sing along to this UK No.1 and party perennial from ’82.

 

21. Best In Football Theme – Tony Hatch

Another football TV theme, this with sentiment. The team aim to be and we all hope they will be!

 

22. They’ll Always Be an England – The England World Cup Squad

Whatever the result there will always be … . Thanks for reminding us.