Football and music: Anthems echoing through football stadiums

In the world of football, there are several key factors that form its irreplaceable essence – football players, teams, stadiums, jerseys, and of course, football anthems. Songs are not just a mere musical backdrop accompanying the start or end of a match. They are a cohesive element carrying the history, passion, and identity of a football club.

In this article, we will look at which songs represent the most famous football clubs and take a glimpse into their history.

FC Liverpool: You´ll never walk alone

The musical piece You´ll never walk away (You’ll never walk alone) is inseparably linked to the football club Liverpool FC. Its title can be found at the top of the gate located at the stadium since 1982 in memory of the legendary manager Bill Shankly.

History of the anthem

Originally, the song appeared in 1945 in the musical Carousel by authors Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. In the early sixties, it began to be sung at Anfield stadium. According to former players, singer Gerry Marsden introduced it to the manager of Liverpool, who was impressed and immediately accepted it. Its strong emotional charge and lyrics expressing solidarity and support resonated with fans and their bond with the club. "You'll Never Walk Alone" thus became an anthem that was not chosen by the club or management, but organically emerged from the very heart of the fans.

Rich use of the song

Ironically, the anthem was first heard on the pitch of Manchester United as a gesture of solidarity in connection with the plane crash in 1958. In Munich, members of the team died while returning from the European Cup in the city of Belgrade in Yugoslavia. Besides football, it also became an anthem supporting healthcare workers and people in quarantine during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nessun Dorma by Giacomo Puccini

Nessun Dorma is the original aria from the opera Turandot by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini and translates to 'None shall sleep.'Shortly after its introduction, it became a classic musical gem.

Nessun Dorma as the BBC theme

This piece achieved success in 1990 at the World Cup in Italy. Initially, BBC producers used it for a sports theme before broadcasts. The idea came from the memories of Philip Bernie. He was inspired by the word vincerò, which means 'I will win,' and also by the image of Italian footballer Marco Tardelli celebrating a goal at the 1982 World Cup. The theme incorporated photographs of various successes, with Tardelli closing the entire theme.

The creation of the Italian football anthem

The song Nessun Dorma became the anthem at the first concert of the Three Tenors on the eve of the World Cup final in 1990, when Luciano Pavarotti himself performed it. It captivated the entire audience, and the melody began to grow in popularity. It became a part of the Three Tenors concerts (Pavarotti, Domingo, Carreras), and even ranked second among the most popular singles in the United Kingdom. The tenors subsequently performed their number again at the World Cups in Los Angeles (1994), Paris (1998), and Yokohama (2002).

Manchester United: Glory Glory Men United

The single Glory Glory Men United was released by Manchester United before the FA Cup final in 1983. It was written by Herman's Hermits member Frank Renshaw.

History of the anthem

Glory Glory Men United originated from the original song John Brown's Body, which features the well-known marching refrain Glory Glory Hallelujah. And due to its popularity, several football clubs adopted it as their own – Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United, Manchester United, and also the Australian rugby team South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Who the fuck are men United?

Since the early 1980s, the song has gained popularity among fans, who ceremoniously sang it before every match. Later, it was adopted by rival fans who enjoyed playing with the words and creating songs during matches against Manchester United in the style of Who the fuck are Men United? Manchester fans sarcastically responded with the same words from the song in case of a victory.

Brazilian song Aquarela do Brasil

Aquarela do Brasil is one of the most famous Brazilian songs and has become its musical symbol. It was written in 1939 by Brazilian composer Ary Barroso, who one night couldn't leave his house due to heavy rain. He used the time to write a song that gained wide popularity due to its striking melodies and rhythms, reflecting the rich musical culture of the country.

Aquarela and football

In the context of football, Aquarela do Brasil has become an inseparable part of Brazilian football tradition. The song has been used in many football events and occasions associated with the Brazilian national team. It gained popularity especially during the World Cup, when it began to accompany the Brazilian team in its participation in international football tournaments. Its rhythm and lyrics support the exciting atmosphere of football events.

Symbolism and identity

Aquarela do Brasil is not just a song, but also a symbol of Brazilian identity and joy. Its exotic melodies and positive energy highlight the passion and joy associated with football in Brazil.

Real Madrid: Hala Madrid

Hala Madrid is a popular song and chant closely associated with the football club Real Madrid. It was created at the request of former president Santiago Bernabéu to commemorate the club's golden jubilee in 1952. The song was written by Luis Cisneros Galiane and recorded by José de Aguilar.

Over time, it has seen several versions. In 2002, on the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the club's founding, the melody and lyrics were reworked by the famous Spanish composer José Cano. It was sung by Spanish tenor Placido Domingo.

Hala Madrid y nada Más

To celebrate the tenth title in the Champions League in 2014, composer Nadyr Khayat (Red One) created a new song Hala Madrid y nada más. According to him, he wanted the song to be more classical and symphonic, one that the whole world would recognize and that fans could chant. The lyrics were written by journalist Manuel Jabois. He shortened the original longer version to fit the melody.

Hala Madrid at the top of the charts

The piece was recorded by the Real Madrid team in the PKO studio for the UEFA Champions League final in 2014. Among the 'singers' were Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Luka Modrić, and Marcelo, as well as their manager Carlo Ancelotti. After the victory, it reached the top of the Spanish charts.

The anthem is now regularly played at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, where fans chant the chorus, and a short snippet of the melody is played with every goal scored by Real Madrid.

You Can’t Stop Us

The song You can’t stop us is not directly associated with football or any specific sport, but encompasses a sporting message as a whole through the global brand Nike. The company chose it as part of an advertising campaign that emphasizes the power of sport and its ability to connect people regardless of their cultural background. The piece carries a universal message about sport as an inspiration and a unifying element.