Football-related anthems generally bring out the worst aspects of the ‘novelty’ record: often little more than exploitative or simply plain embarrassing, they usually bring on nausea and/ or repulsion in less time than it takes for Gareth Southgate to miss a penalty. There are the exceptions, yes: New Order’s “World In Motion” or The Lightning Seeds’ “Three Lions” being two off the top of my head (and into the back of the net) but I’m struggling beyond these.
Somehow, though, it’s fitting that this year’s surprise ‘decent’ World Cup anthem is this ‘unofficial’ entry from YOUNG STANLEY. You won’t have heard them in your local indie Barfly den as they comprise four forty-something geezers and by day said geezers are employed in the capacities of carpenter, bricklayer, electrician, and jack of all trades respectively. But do you know something? As unpretentious, have a go heroes with an unquenchable passion for the glorious game go, then these Bromley boys are alright.
The brainchild of Messrs. Aylen (Rod – carpenter, vocals and songwriting), Aylen (Paul – jack of all trades and vocals) Snelgrove (Mark – electrician and drums) and Cranstoun (Jay – brickie and vocals), Young Stanley are named after Jay’s 2-year old son and with the self-explanatory “Sing It For England” they have turned in a radio-friendly anthem of some repute. The lyrics pull few punches about the national team’s continual underachieving since the halcyon days of ’66 (“all I’ve ever known is a long walk home and disappointment/ time and again always the nearly men, but I’ll keep on dreaming”) and then socks it to us with the obligatory big chorus.
|
Just to confound you further, it’s all allied to a serviceable indie guitar romp which won’t send you running for the hills and with “Take Me Home” they again raise the ghost of the stupidly-maligned Dodgy and supply us with a second living-for-the-weekend terrace anthem which can’t but raise a slightly melancholic smile. OK, it’s hardly sonic envelope-pushing, but what did you expect?
So, whether England triumph or not, for once they can take to the pitch with pride thanks to Young Stanley. “Sing It For England” for once is a man of the match contender instead of the usual instantly bookable offence.
|
