History of England World Cup Singles

For the first time since 1970, there will not be an official England World Cup song.

This is a great pity for England fans as there have been some great England songs through the years, stirring great nostalgia amongst fans.

There have also been some absolute stinkers, songs that most people would love to forget regardless of whether their football fans or not.

Here they are, England's World Cup songs in all their shining glory.

1970: Back Home

The song that started it all.

'Back Home' was actually part of an album by the England 1970 World Cup squad, 'The World Beaters Sing the World Beaters.'

It spent three weeks at number 1 in May 1970.

It was also used as main theme for 90's TV show 'Fantasy Football League' hosted by David Baddiel and Frank Skinner (more on them later).

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5wj6PU4lx8&feature=related

1982: This Time (We'll Get it Right)

It was to be 12 years before England got another opportunity to record a World Cup song.

Kevin Keegan and co. came back with this catchy number that reached no. 2 in the charts in June 1982.

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0kgg5tWhY8&feature=related

1986: We've Got the Whole World (At Our Feet)

England's 1986 effort was the least successful of all England's musical efforts.

To the tune of 'Whole World in his Hands', this single charted at a very lowly number 66.

Such is the popularity of the song, I can't even find a link for it.

1990: World in Motion - New Order

'World in Motion' was a key moment for the history of World Cup singles.

After the failure of their last effort, songwriting duties were passed over to proper musicians. Only, New Order didn't want to do it as football songs didn't have a good reputation.

In the end, they were persuaded by their producer Tony Wilson (there is a school of thought that says if New Order never listened to Tony Wilson they would have been the most successful band in Britain, but that's another story).

What we ended up with was a highly memorable song that was essentially first half a more traditional pop song, second half football song with a brilliant John Barnes rap.

The song reached number 1 in May 1990.

All together now: 'You've got to hold and give but do it at the right time...'

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uFWGALVF0Y&feature=fvst

1998: (How Does it Feel To Be) On Top of the World - Various

In 1998, possibly the biggest musical act in the world was The Spice Girls. One of them also happened to be going out with one of England's brightest young talents (I'll leave you to work out who). So it was no surprise the FA wanted them involved in the official World Cup song.

Add talents from bands such as Echo & the Bunnymen, Space and Ocean Colour Scene and you have a winning formula, right?

Wrong. The song sucks but it still managed to reach number 9.

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJkEZKnVUSg

1998: Three Lions '98 - Baddiel, Skinner and the Lightning Seeds

Technically, this wasn't the official World Cup song but Three Lions deserves a special mention.

When the original Three Lions was released for Euro '96, it captured the imagination of England football fans in a way no other football song had and the whole of Wembley would come alive, singing its lyrics. In fact, so popular was the song players of other countries were believed to sing along to it on their way to play England.

It was no surprise than, that David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and Ian Boudie of the Lightning Seeds would repeat the trick two years later for France '98, giving them their second number 1.

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14NQOGOhR0g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14NQOGOhR0g

2002: We're On the Ball - Ant and Dec

For the 2002 World Cup in Japan & South Korea, Englands effort was provided by popular TV duo Ant and Dec.

The song was a reworking of a popular fan anthem, changing the lyrics of the song and adding a disco beat.

To be fair, not an entirely awful effort but not great either.

The song peaked at number 3.

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4NzmMycZIM

2006: World At Your Feet - Embrace

Possibly the last ever England World Cup song by Yorkshire band Embrace.

A good song but you can't escape that nagging suspicion its actually just a pop song masquerading itself as a football song.

This song was to reach number 3 in the chart, making it Embrace's second highest charting single.

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZLyoBNCJek&feature=PlayList&p=DF7F8A332E892AC0&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=13

1966 onwards: Unofficial World Cup Songs

The official song may be dead but the unofficial song is still alive and well.

For the 2006 World Cup, there was at least 48 unofficial England World Cup songs made by artists ranging from Tony Christie to Crazy Frog to John Cleese. There is an estimated 20 being made for this years World Cup.

The first unofficial song is believed to be Lonnie Donegan's song 'World Cup Willy', written for the 1966 World Cup.

Perhaps the most well known though (other than the Three Lions re-release) is 'Vindaloo' by Fat Les, that reached number 2 in 1998.

Listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T1pXsJp_go