The world of pop music and that of sport, in particular that of “ball”, are inextricably linked. Certainly also because of the homeland of football, the United Kingdom, where the passion for football and that for rock have coexisted for decades, with many rock stars who make no secret of their fever for football and often transmit it in their compositions.
An example above all is that of the writer who more than anyone embodies both the music addicts and the most die-hard football fans. That Nick Hornby who wrote a bible for each of the two categories: “Fever Pitch” for the fans and “High Fidelity” for the rockers.
This short playlist, absolutely not exhaustive, aims to anthologically collect various ways in which the world of football has invaded the field of popular music.
You will therefore find some anthems dedicated to club or national teams, such as the imperishable “Three Lions” dedicated to the English national team by Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds (yes, the one that sings “It's Coming Home”), or the local “Roma Roma” by Antonello Venditti, dedicated to the Capitoline club (needless to tell you which one), or even “Together Stronger (C'mon Wales)” by the Manic Street Preachers. But also, obviously, the legendary Liverpool anthem “You'll Never Wal Alone”, present on this list in Lana Del Rey's sleepy version.
Then there are numerous rock songs that have become football anthems almost despite the intentions of those who wrote them. From this point of view, the soundtrack of the Italian victory at the 2006 World Cup cannot be missing, namely “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes and its catchphrase popopo popopo po po po. But also “United” by Judas Priest, “Just Can't Get Enough” by Depeche Mode and, it goes without saying, “We Will Rock You” by Queen.
On the contrary, there are many artists who have tried their hand at composing actual theme tunes for football events such as the European Championships or the World Cup. Don't worry though, in this playlist you won't find any “Waka Waka”, but rather New Order, Graham Coxon with his Fat Les and our own Edoardo Bennato and Gianna Nannini.
In a country as morbidly linked to football as Italy, the most beautiful game in the world could only become a metaphor for life lived, as happens in the song chosen as the nice title of this review, in “Una vita da midfielder” by Ligabue” and in the wonderful “The football lever of the class of '68” by Francesco De Gregori.
Among the famous fans, instead of the Mancunians (of City) Gallagher, I preferred to include Kasabian, who with their “Underdog” (a term that refers to the underdog team in a competition) almost prophesied the fairy tale of their (and Ranieri's) Leicester. Due to his origins, the band's guitarist Sergio Pizzorno is also a huge Genoa fan.
A short video game selection could not be missing, with songs that have become football classics thanks to their inclusion in the soundtrack of the legendary Fifa 98 and its successors. I'm obviously talking about the various “Song 2” by Blur and “Tubthumbing” by Chumbawamba.
As a Neapolitan fan (everyone else will forgive me) I could only close the compilation with a hat-trick dedicated to my team and Maradona. It starts with “Live Is Life” by Opus, the soundtrack to Diego Armando's legendary dribbles during the warm-up before the match against Bayer Monaco and continues with the inevitable “Santa Maradona” by Manu Chao and Mano Negra.
However, I spared you Nino D'Angelo, preferring “We Come From Napoli” by Liberato, a song taken from the soundtrack of “Ultras” and co-produced by another great Italian fan: Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack.
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM
