All football fans have the most important moments of the sport firmly stored in their memory: the dream goal before the stadium crowd exploded, the raising of the cup, the iconic moments of their team and the most impressive plays of the greatest names in football.
But memory in football is not only about images, music also plays a part.
As Euro 2024 is here and the passion for football is more active than ever, we bring you some of the most iconic songs about football, to help you get in the mood before each exciting match.
Fire
This summer is all about Fire and the Euro. The collaborative song by Meduza, One Republic and Leony reflects the celebratory atmosphere of football with a motivational message, a sense of excitement and great rhythm.
The closing ceremony, before the UEFA Euro 2024 final, will be the day to enjoy this anthem in concert, which will rock the stadium before the excitement of the final match starts to erupt.
World in Motion
Performed by the British group New Order, with the collaboration of football player John Barnes, World in Motion became the anthem of the English national football team during the FIFA World Cup in 1990.
It has a catchy, upbeat melody and chorus that captures the excitement, festive atmosphere and spirit of the game.
The Cup of Life
One of the most famous football-related songs is this Ricky Martin track that made a worldwide impact in 1998. The song catapulted Martin to the status of an iconic international star, and served as the soundtrack to one of the most exciting and controversial World Cup finals when France defeated Brazil — who had left Ronaldo out of the original line-up (he was later reinstated) for medical reasons.
Three Lions
This song is an emblematic English football anthem that conveys a sense of national pride. It was written for the 1996 European Championship, held in England, and originally performed by the British group The Lightning Seeds in collaboration with comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner.
Fans feel a strong sense of belonging, which has allowed this song of dashed hopes to become an iconic hymn reinterpreted multiple times since its release to support the English national team in other international competitions.
Un’estate Italiana
The deep voices of Gianna Nannini and Edoardo Bennato still thrill football fans after several decades, especially those with Italian roots.
The song, released in 1990 for the FIFA World Cup, captures the excitement, pride and passion for the game. No wonder it is used in different international competitions.
Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)
Shakira always gets everyone’s hips moving, and football fanatics are no exception. The rhythmic hymn of the 2010 World Cup is one of the best known around the world for its good beats, sense of unity and celebration of diversity. The fusion of pop with traditional African sounds provided the perfect hook for this type of event-related song.
Not only was the track used in all the sports shows and matches of the time, Waka Waka continues to be heard today for its sense of festivity and camaraderie, even by younger generations.
UEFA Champions League Anthem
In 1992, composer Tony Britten wrote this piece, inspired by Handel’s Coronation Anthems Zadok the Priest, and it changed everything for good. There isn’t a football fan who doesn’t get excited when listening to this classic piece that rises to a crescendo.
Although it may not sound like it, the music was composed in a matter of days, and is usually heard before every match in the stadium and at the close of television broadcasts with a performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London and sung by St. Martin’s Academy in the Fields Choir, which has elevated it to an iconic position.
We Are the Champions
Although not exclusive to football, this famous Queen track has been adopted in various stadiums and competitions for its powerful fighting lyrics.
It is truly an emblematic theme to celebrate the sport and always gets audiences cheering in unison.
Everyone tends to know the lyrics and get deeply involved with the feeling of the song, definitely making it one of those songs that you must have in your sports playlist.
We’ve made these songs available in this handy Spotify playlist.
Images: Mpel24 and Delapouite
