Football fans worldwide have always had a well-documented relationship with popular music. From the top leagues to the semi-professionals, die-hard supporters camped in the stands adopt famous songs as their own. Some alter the lyrics to include the name of their star striker. Others mock and ridicule the opposition while most are brought into play to celebrate success. Queen’s We Are the Champions is blasted out at stadiums across the island at the end of every season.
Just like the early morning rise for a coach trip across the country, the half-time pie and Bovril or the pre-game predictions using smartphones to bet at bookies from Texas sports betting apps to Tottenham bookies, it has become part of the footballing culture. More so in recent seasons when fans have been able to use social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to suggest songs, bend lyrics and gather support.
In this article, we look at some of the top teams from the English Premier League and Scottish Premiership, investigating the different songs fans have adopted and the reasons why these tunes are belted out by thousands every weekend.
Glasgow Rangers – Simply the Best
A Tina Turner classic and an excellent anthem for sports. It’s so good you have to wonder why more football clubs or sports teams haven’t taken it. The most notable to use the classic Simply the Best is Glasgow Rangers, but champion boxer Chris Eubank also made it his own when strutting to the ring to take out opponents.
Perhaps the reason more clubs don’t use it is that it gives added pressure. Like the bright yellow boots of the latest signing, you have to be good to pull it off, and most teams just can’t live up to Tina. Rangers, with their world record 55 league titles, can and they continue to do so. The teams at Ibrox emerge from the tunnel to this song, and in the heat of an Old Firm derby, it truly is a sight to behold. It ramps up the atmosphere, adds confidence to the players and instils fear in the opposition.
Liverpool – You’ll Never Walk Alone
A few teams lay claim to You’ll Never Walk Alone, but the Gerry and the Pacemakers hit is universally recognised as a Liverpool anthem through and through. It’s a song you will hear on the radio and conjure up images of the Kop at Anfield in full voice.
Why do Liverpool fans sing You’ll Never Walk Alone? It is a great supporters song that lets the players and watching world know they have the stands’ backing. It also reminds those on the pitch what they are playing for – the fans and people of Liverpool.
The tannoy system at Anfield once played the UK top 10 during the 1960s, and many supporters would join in on the number one hit. You’ll Never Walk Alone topped the charts for a month and proved such a hit with supporters it remains today. Manager Bill Shankly came out as a massive fan of the song, and with that, its fate was sealed. In Merseyside, it was an anthem loved by the reds, and even many blues were fans, although they would never admit it in public.
West Ham – I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles
One of the unlikeliest of songs to be sung on the terraces of East London but West Ham United and all who follow are deeply proud of their association. This is a West Ham song more than anything else. Even when the club moved from its stadium at Upton Park to the London Stadium in Stratford, the song was packed up and went with them.
The song’s origins at the Boleyn Ground can be traced back to 1920 when player Billy Murray carried the nickname Bubbles due to his resemblance to a painting by Millais. Many younger West Ham fans won’t know the roots, but it doesn’t matter.
It’s a great, emotional and inspiring song when sung in time by thousands of football fans with east London accents. The stands at Upton Park may be a thing of the past but I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles helped absorb a bit of the sting of the move to the former Olympic Stadium and when sung against the backdrop of the stunning arena it’s something special.