The nation's repertoire of football anthems has expanded considerably in recent years beyond the '90s staples of Three Lions and Vindaloo. Fans have now taken to belting recycled classics, such as Sweet Caroline and Football's coming home again.
However, original takes on the football song format are few and far between. But one Bristol comedian is hoping to change that and get in on the anthemic action with the release of his new song in support of England men's squad at the Qatar World Cup. Having already tried his hand at writing a Christmas hit, entertainer Micky John Bull is now turning his attention to England's World Cup campaign with England For Glory (The Anthem), which is written by Paul Hobbs.
Micky, who lives in Coalpit Heath, has had a career spanning over 60 years, during which time he's worked alongside the likes of Pete Budd of The Wurzels as well as supporting huge acts, including The Supremes and David Essex. He saw some success with his 1985 release Super Rooster written by Brotherhood of Man's Lee Sheridan, and has built a name for himself in clubs up and down the county with his popular variety style act mixing humour and song.
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He told Bristol Live that he first met songwriter Paul through their mutual charity work for Meningitis Now. After listening to some of Micky's music on YouTube, Paul felt he might be the ideal singer for a football anthem he'd been working on.
Micky brought on board his regular producer Ken Linton, who owns 13 Sound Studios in Kewstoke, to work on a new treatment for the song with heavy, driving drums and a clean rock sound. Micky said Ken deliberately wanted to avoid typical football song tropes like chanting so that the song's patriotic message would easily shine through and be adaptable for any England sporting team.
Despite being 76, Micky still performs four or five times a week and has been pleased to hear England for Glory (The Anthem) getting a positive reaction during his recent live shows, slotting in alongside some of the standards in his extensive repertoire built up over the decades. Micky says his long and consistent career came about by chance in 1960 at a youth club in Warmley when he was hoisted up onstage by his friends to fill in for a singer who'd failed to turn up. His vocals caught the attention of another band that night who asked him to join them, and Micky realised he'd found his calling.
Speaking about his continued love of performing, Micky said: "If you didn't love doing it, you wouldn't do it; it would be far too much. But there's nothing like having a good night with a crowd really responding." In his live act, Micky has been pairing England For Glory (The Anthem) with Sweet Caroline and says that the Neil Diamond classic was a bit of an inspiration as it shows a successful football song just needs to be a "good song everyone can join in with."
It could be competition for the new Three Lions (It's Coming Home for Christmas) re-release by Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds, which has been tipped as a contender for Christmas number one if England win. Asked if he thought that football might be coming home after yesterday's barnstorming match against Iran, Micky was cautiously optimistic, noting that it was the best start to a tournament the team has ever had.
On the subject of his new song's chances for success, he said: "We do think it's got a good song, it's got a good tune, it's memorable, it's also quite credible apart from being a football song. We haven't done it in a novelty way. We've done it in a rock way."
Speaking to James Hanson on BBC Radio Bristol, Paul added: "I’ve always loved football songs, and I thought, you know, try and write a song that's very infectious, sing-along, everyone can join in and patriotic."
England For Glory (The Anthem) is available to stream on Spotify, and Micky's new Christmas single, I Want Christmas Like it Used to Be, will be released in a fortnight
England For Glory (The Anthem) - the complete lyrics
Verse
On our way to be the best, we can beat the rest
We will wear that shirt with pride, we will not be denied
Bridge
Win or lose we’ll give our all
We’ll make sure we’re on the ball
Rule the world is our goal
Chorus
England for glory, there’s no one to fear
England for glory, sing, shout and cheer
England (England), England (England), For Glory
Verse
We play with skill, we play with heart taking them all apart
We will be mean, we want our dream to be the greatest team
Bridge
Win or lose we’ll give our all
We’ll make sure we’re on the ball
Rule the world is our goal
Chorus
England for glory there’s no one to fear
England for glory, sing, shout and cheer
England (England), England (England), For Glory
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