There’s a good chance England fans could be singing a different anthem ahead of sporting events in future. MPs have voted to introduce a bill to parliament on whether or not England should be given its own official national anthem. At present, the UK national anthem God Save The Queen is often sung at sporting events involving England teams.
Popular alternative choices include Jerusalem - the stirring musical interpretation of a William Blake poem - and Land of Hope and Glory.
Our readers weren’t too impressed with these options either. “You can’t get over the fact that having a national anthem whose title is a city in another country, is just a bit odd,” said one reader.
One thing you all seem to agree on is you want rid of God Save the Queen, which is often used ahead of sporting fixtures involving England teams. “I feel so jealous when you here the booming passionate anthems of countries like France, USA and Canada,” said another commenter, who described the ode to the Queen as a “monotonous dirge”.
We received large number of ideas for an alternative anthem. Some were heartfelt, some were tongue in cheek. With others, it was difficult even to be sure.
Here are 10 of our favourite suggestions.
1) God Save The Queen (Sex Pistols edition)
The punk classic would be an obvious choice, particularly as we wouldn’t even need to change the name of the anthem on programmes and official listings. The updated tune and lyrics, though, might dissuade the Queen from attending future England football or rugby fixtures.
2) David Bowie - Heroes
This could get awkward whenever England play Germany, given Berlin’s understandable emotional hold on this song. But hey, it’s Bowie.\
Gold is good but a bit ambitious. Realistically Heroes has two appropriate lines: "We can be heroes just for one day" and "I'll drink all the time"
3) Barwick Green
The theme tune to BBC Radio Four’s longstanding farm-related soap opera may be a catchy little ditty, but there’s just one problem: no lyrics. But I suppose everyone could hum along.
I always liked Billy Connollys choice for an English anthem, the theme tune for "The Archers".
4) Vindaloo - Fat Les
There were calls for for New Order’s World In Motion or Black Grape’s England’s Irie, though conerns were raised at the idea of Gary Barlow performing the John Barnes rap at some official function. No danger of that with Vindaloo, and at least - ahem - Keith Allen is still involved.
Vindaloo for sure. What could be better for multi cultural Britain than a rousing song about adopting another culture's dish as our national favourite? Plus it will be easy for our footballers to sing along to, as the words are mostly "na na na, na na na, na na na na na na na".
5) Always Look on the Bright Side of Life - Monty Python
“Perfect for any penalty shoot out,” according to one long-suffering England fan.
Always look on the bright side of life. It's meaningful, inclusive and everyone knows the words. Also it's already associated with England and instantly recognisable.
6) Two Tribes - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Because nothing says ‘let’s win a football match’ like gleeful abandon in the face of nuclear armageddon.
"Two tribes" by Frankie goes to Hollywood, seeing as all sport is about tribalism.
Or "tubthumping" - I get knocked down, and I get up again, ain't no-one ever gonna keep me down....
7) The Spice Girls - Viva Forever
The Spice Girls’ timeless masterpiece, according to one YouTube commenter. Viva Forever might be a bit too intense and emotional to played before sporting events. Plus some of the lyrics are in Spanish. But apart from that, great choice.
8) National Shite Day - Half Man Half Biscuit
England’s most criminally ignored band, their state of the high street address National Shite Day would be a worthy anthem. All together now: “there’s a man with a mullet going mad with a mallet in Millets”.
We need something that both reflects the nation as it is, and stirs in players a sporting spirit of dogged determination to carry on against all odds. Nothing could be more appropriate than National Shite Day by Half Man Half Biscuit.
9) 4’33” - John Cage
One minor drawback with John Cage’s experimental piece is in a sporting context it could easily be mistaken for a rather long minute’s silence.
4 minutes 33 seconds.
No-one could be offended by somebody not singing along.
10) Motörhead - The Ace of Spades
Motörhead’s most famous tune. Is devil-may-care nihilism the correct spirit in which to view England’s sporting teams? Some of our readers certainly think so.
You win some, lose some, it's all the same to me!
You know I'm born to lose,,,
Ace of Spades it is then. It fits for some of England's sporting teams at least.
I say keep God Save the Queen.
God save the queen
She ain't no human being
There is no future
In England's dreaming
I think that's a tune we could al get behinnd and sing with gusto.