World Cup: Top 5 England World Cup Anthems

With the start of the World Cup drawing ever closer it’s about time the nation started believing in England’s chances of glory in Brazil!

Roy Hodgson’s men are the biggest price they have ever been to win a World Cup at 28/1 with Ladbrokes but it’s time to start the “England Expects” campaign and get behind the boys in Brazil.

And to help you get in the mood we have picked out the top five England World Cup anthems of all time.

So it’s time to warm up those vocal chords and sing (or rap) the Three Lions to world domination in South America…

England World Cup Squad – Back Home (1970)

Setting the trend for football players hitting the recording studio, this 1970 England classic went straight in at number one and stayed top of the charts for whopping three weeks.

Despite the chart success, it could not inspire Sir Alf Ramsey’s defending champions in Mexico as England lost to, yep you’ve guessed it, West Germany, at the quarter-final stage.

But that doesn’t matter now as what could be better than the likes of World Cup winners Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Gordon Banks and Geoff Hurst belting out this rousing anthem backed by a marching band?

England and New Order – World in Motion (1990)

Italia 90 will live long in the memory for many England fans with Chris Waddle and Stuart Pearce missing penalties in the semi-final shootout against West Germany.

We then had Gazza’s tears but more importantly this World Cup brought John Barnes and his rapping skills to the fore.

Alongside New Order the Liverpool man produced his best performance in an England shirt as World in Motion hit the number one spot in the UK Singles and Indie chart.

Come on now, you all know the words…“You got to hold and give….”

Baddiel and Skinner/The Lightning Seeds – Three Lions 98 (1998) 

England’s favourite singing comedians were back in the spotlight after their chart success with Three Lions in 1996 with erm….Three Lions!

Baddiel and Skinner and the Lightning Seeds revamped this classic Euro 96 football anthem with even more nostalgia and the fans took to it once again as Three Lions went back to the top of the charts.

And just listening to this classic once again has me daring to dream that Roy and the boys can bring football home this summer.

Fat Les – Vindaloo (1998) 

In what was a “golden” summer for England World Cup anthems Fat Les hit number two in the charts with cult classic Vindaloo.

This unofficial chant-inspired tune was only pipped to the top spot by Baddiel and Skinner and The Lightning Seeds with their re-worded version of Three Lions.

Ant and Dec – We’re on the Ball (2002)

“It’s Neville to Campbell, Campbell to Rio, Rio to Scholesy, Scholesy to Gerrard, Gerrard to Beckham, Beckham to Heskey, Heskey to Owen it’s a goal!”

These were the words of pint-sized Geordie duo Ant and Dec of PJ and Duncan fame as they sent Sven’s “Golden Generation” on their way to the 2002 World Cup with We’re On The Ball ringing in their ears.

But just like England’s quarter-final effort in Japan and South Korea, this one did not quite reach the top spot, peaking at number three in the chart.

And one to forget! Stick to management El Tel!

Move over Frank Sinatra, legendary crooner Terry Venables is in town! Well, not quite.

Here at Ladbrokes News we are not sure Ol’ Blue Eyes title as the king of swing is in danger just yet and Venables, who led England to the semi-finals of Euro 96, should just stick to sorting out his Christmas Tree formation after his England Crazy effort of 2002!

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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