England fans have fully embraced the Oasis hit Wonderwall during this year’s World Cup, with bookmakers now making it odds-on to top the UK singles chart due to its popularity
Wonderwall could finally become a No1 hit 31 years on – thanks to England’s World Cup campaign. Bookmaker Coral has made the 1995 Oasis song 4-5 odds-on favourite to top the UK singles chart this month after it was adopted as the Three Lions’ terrace anthem.
Fans and players sing it to each other after World Cup victories. Following the Mexico victory in the last 16 England captain Harry Kane belted it out so loudly he lost his voice. It would be the first time the song has topped the charts.
Released as the fourth single from Oasis’s second album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? it made the top 10 in 15 countries but peaked at No2 in the UK. Noel Gallagher, who wrote it, said it was about ‘an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself’.
The title was inspired by Beatle George Harrison’s solo album Wonderwall Music. In 2020 it became the first song from the 1990s to reach one billion streams on Spotify.
Coral spokesman John Hill said: “England fans have turned Wonderwall into the soundtrack of this World Cup. If the Three Lions keep marching on don’t be surprised if Oasis are celebrating a chart-topping comeback as well.”
Alex Apati, of Ladbrokes, added: “Backbeat, the word is on the street that football’s coming home…and Wonderwall could finally top the charts as a result.”
England are 1-2 odds-on favourites to beat Norway in Saturday’s quarter final and 5-1 fourth favourites to win the World Cup behind France, Spain and Argentina.
Betting firms say they’re bracing themselves for a surge of wagers on the band ending up at the top of the charts with the hit. Chris Mawson, spokesperson for Casino Kings, said: “England fans always seem to adopt a song that captures the spirit of a major tournament, and this summer’s World Cup is proving no different.
“Wonderwall is already one of the nation’s best-loved songs, so it’s no surprise to hear thousands of supporters singing it in stadiums, fan zones and beer gardens as excitement around England continues to grow.
“It’s already regarded as a timeless classic, but if Thomas Tuchel’s men can go all the way and lift the World Cup, there’s every chance Liam and Noel Gallagher could have another reason to celebrate if the song completes its remarkable comeback by reaching No1.”