It has been revealed that the official England 2014 World Cup song is a new version of the Take That hit, “Greatest Day”.

Gary Barlow has teamed up with former England captain and striker Gary Lineker, supported by a 20-strong ensemble including pop stars Katy B, former Spice Girl Emma Bunton and Pixie Lott. Just to offset the glamour and add the football element, ex England footballers including Sir Geoff Hurst, Peter Shilton, Michael Owen and Glenn Hoddle are the back-up “singers”

The England 2014 World Cup song video will make its debut on Sport Relief night on 21st March, with proceeds from the sale of the record going to Sport Relief.

England did not have an official song at the last World Cup in 2010 because manager Fabio Capello thought it would be a distraction to the players. The Italian simply didn’t get the mentality of English footballers and British culture in general. However an unofficial World Cup song release by James Corden and Dizzee Rascal with their rendition of the Tears For Fears’ song “Shout” reached No1 in the UK charts, despite Fabio Capello’s best efforts!!

Some of the England 2014 World Cup song footballer backing singers already have a history singing England World Cup Songs / Anthems or general pop songs. Glenn Hoddle reached No12 in the charts in 1987 with the single “Diamond Lights, which he released with fellow footballer Chris Waddle. Sir Geoff Hurst featured on the 1970 England World Cup Squad song “Back Home”, whilst Peter Shilton was involved with both that song and the 1990 England World Cup song “World In Motion” by New Order, which also reached No1 in the UK charts.

Other England World Cup songs include Embrace’s “World at Your Feet” in 2006 and Ant and Dec’s 2002 release “We’re On The Ball”, which both reached No3 in the chart.

Surely the best England World Cup song was “Three Lions ’98”, an updated version of a song by comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel recorded with the Lightning Seeds, originally recorded for the European Championship in 1996 ( Euro ’96 ). And surely the most irreverent England World Cup song has to be “Vindaloo” by Fat Les, who were a motley crew comprising actor Keith Allen, Blur’s Alex James and artist Damien Hirst.

Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but it occurs to the Record Press author that the World Cups when England performed best in 1970, 1990, 1998, 2002 and 2006 ( although all of them doomed to failure through bad luck, sending offs and / or penalty shoot outs!! ) were the tournaments when they were supported by a good England World Cup Song / Anthem. To prove this theory, here’s a Top 5 Best England World Cup Songs / Anthems –

Top 5 Best England World Cup Songs / Anthems

1) Baddiel & Skinner & Lightning Seeds – Three Lions ( World Cup 1998 )

2) New Order – World in Motion ( World Cup 1990 )

3) Fat Les – Vindaloo ( World Cup 1998 )

4) England World Cup Squad – Back Home ( World Cup 1970 )

5) Ant & Dec – We’re On The Ball ( World Cup 2002 )

What are your favourite England World Cup songs? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your love of the England football team and the World Cup in your home or office, by ordering your favourite England World Cup song in a vinyl single or CD single format; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque…… 

ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!