England followers’ hilarious new track forward of Euros conflict with Serbia
England fans in Germany preparing for tonight’s clash with Serbia have been chanting a new song serenading one of the side’s star players – set to the tune of US rock star Bruce Springsteen‘s hit Dancing In The Dark.
Supporters have been filmed performing the tribute to Manchester City playmaker Phil Foden who was last month voted England’s Footballer Of The Year.
The new song delivered in Euro 2024 host nation Germany, where England take on Serbia in Gelsenkirchen this evening, begins: ‘Can’t start a fire, can’t start a fire without a spark.’
Supporters go on to declare: ‘Phil Foden’s on fire – he’ll be playing the Germans off the park.’
It follows fan anthems to the tune of hits by the likes of Atomic Kitten and Billy Ray Cyrus, as well as England supporters adopting Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline.
England fans in Germany have revealed a new chant devoted to Manchester City’s Phil Foden
Supporters have set new words to Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing In The Dark
Less savoury chants have also been heard, however, with rowdy England fans filmed chanting ’10 German bombers’ in the streets of Dusseldorf on Friday and yesterday.
Three Lions supporters have been warned by German police not to sing the song, with officers delivering the clear message: ‘Don’t be a d***!’
Yet members of the crowd jumping around with beer cans and an English flag outside a Mexican restaurant were heard belting out the song.
The pro-Foden rendition, however, has been welcomed, with the X account Football Away Days sharing it with the words: ‘England’s new song is absolutely quality!’
The original track, released by Springsteen in 1984 and featuring future Friends actress Courteney Cox in its video, has the lyric: ‘You can’t start a fire, you can’t start a fire without a spark.
‘This gun’s for hire, even if we’re just dancin’ in the dark.’
Sweet Caroline became one of the most-sung England anthems at the Covid-delayed Euro 2020, held in 2021, where Gareth Southgate’s side reached the final at Wembley only to lose to Italy on penalties.
Other often-heard chants include Three Lions, initially released by comedy duo Frank Skinner and David Baddiel alongside the Lightning Seeds when England hosted the European Championship in 1996.
The track – with its refrain insisting ‘Football’s coming home’ – reached number one that year, again two years later when a new version was recorded to coincide with the 1998 World Cup, and a further time in summer 2018.
That year Southgate led England to the semi-finals of the World Cup held in Russia, losing 2-1 after extra-time against Croatia.
Phil Foden, subject of the new song, was last month voted England’s Footballer Of The Year as he helped Manchester City to a fourth consecutive Premier League title
England fans have been in bullish mood ahead of the side’s opening game against Serbia
Supporters have taken to the streets of Gelsenkirchen in Germany for Euro 2024
England’s first Group C game comes two days after the tournament started with the host nation defeating Scotland 5-1 on Friday night in Munich
Fans adopted then girl group Atomic Kitten’s 2001 chart-topper Whole Again.
The football reworking used the words: ‘Southgate, you’re the one – you still turn me on, football’s coming home again.’
England supporters as well as those of other nations include Wales at Euro 2016 in France have also chanted words to the tune of Billy Ray Cyrus’s Achy Breaky Heart.
Crowds touring overseas to cheer on their national side can often be heard declaring: ‘Don’t take me home, please don’t take me home, I just don’t want to go to work.
‘I want to stay here and drink all your beer – please don’t, please don’t take me home.’
New chants which appear to have taken off include one about England captain Harry Kane, who plays for German club Bayern Munich after signing from Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
His new song is to the tune of Manfred Mann’s 1964 number one Do Wah Diddy Diddy, having also been reworked by Spurs fans for Brazilian striker Richarlison.
The latest update runs: ‘He looks good, he looks good – he looks fine, he looks fine – Harry Kane is on my mind and he’s England’s number nine.’
England’s players have previously added their vocals to tournament-related singles including Back Home ahead of the 1970 World Cup in Brazil and We’ve Got The Whole World At Our Feet before travelling to Mexico for the finals 16 years later.
England manager Gareth Southgate, pictured speaking to the media at Gelsenkirchen’s Arena AufSchalke yesterday, has been serenaded with a version of Atomic Kitten’s Whole Again
Another new chant taken up by England fans is a reworking of Manfred Mann’s Do Wah Diddy Diddy, paying tribute to number nine and national captain Harry Kane
England’s opening game against Serbia is followed by fixtures against Denmark and Slovenia
England’s 1990 World Cup squad recorded chart-topper World In Motion with New Order
Comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner then teamed up with the Lightning Seeds’ Ian Broudie for Three Lions, which hit number one in 1996, 1998 and 2018
Star winger John Barnes contributed a rap to New Order’s World In Motion which got to number one as England reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
The last time England played in German club Schalke’s stadium in Gelsenkirchen, hosting tonight’s fixture against Serbia, saw the side managed by Sven-Goran Eriksson knocked out of the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals on penalties by Portugal.
Wayne Rooney was sent off during the game for stamping on Portugal centre-back Ricardo Carvalho, with his then-Manchester United clubmate Cristiano Ronaldo captured on camera winking after protesting for a red card to be shown.
Among the music then played in the stadium following England’s 3-1 shoot-out defeat was Doris Day singing: ‘Que sera, sera – whatever will be, will be.’
