Good, Better, Best

The name "Best" is a big one to live up to. George Best came close for a while, but like every hero, he had a tragic flaw. Read more about Good, Better, Best

Party All The Time

"House Party at Rooney's"
Unknown
2006

One of the exciting things about music today is that the technological barriers have disappeared; almost anyone can record and distribute a song in their basement. One of the most terrifying things about music today is that just about anyone who wants to can record and distribute a song about their favorite soccer team. Read more about Party All The Time

We All Like Vindaloo

"Vindaloo"
Fat Les
1998

"Vindaloo" is an iconic song, and this project wouldn't be complete without it. But really, what else is there to say about it? Read more about We All Like Vindaloo

All Together Now

Money, corruption, affairs, violence, and the endless cycle of tabloid scandals. With all that goes on in soccer today, it's easy to forget the power the game has always had to bring people together, even in the darkest times. "All Together Now" reminds us of a moment where music, soccer, and simple humanity briefly overcame the pointless, criminal waste of life that was World War I. Read more about All Together Now

Not Too Much To Ask

In some circles, "All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit" is a beloved Christmas soccer classic. Even though it's not exactly about Christmas, and it's not exactly about soccer. Read more about Not Too Much To Ask

Worth A Thousand Yards

"0-0 A.E.T."
Thousand Yard Stare
1992

The songs we've looked at this year have used soccer as a metaphor for winning and losing; for personal triumph and tragedy. But as every fan knows, not every soccer game ends in victory or defeat. Read more about Worth A Thousand Yards

Coming Home

"Three Lions"
Baddiel, Skinner, and the Lightning Seeds
1996
"Three Lions '98"
Baddiel, Skinner, and the Lightning Seeds
1998

A lot of people who write soccer songs use crowd noise in the mix. Rarely do they get to use a matchday crowd singing their song. Read more about Coming Home

A Man of Many Talents

"Kickin' Balls"
Alexi Lalas
1994

If you were picking one person to write a classic American soccer song, you could do worse than Alexi Lalas. He played at the top level; he's been an ambassador for the sport in the U.S., and he's a musician--an actual one, not just an athlete who got a record deal. He may still have a classic soccer song in him. But for now, what he's given us instead is 1994's "Kickin' Balls." Read more about A Man of Many Talents

Breathe In Deep

"The Sporting Life"
The Decemberists
2009

In the United States, professional soccer is nowhere near the major American sports in revenue or mainstream attention. But it is, and has been for a while, the most popular sport actually played by young people in the United States. And so it's probably not surprising that one of the best soccer songs to come out of the United States is about a YMCA youth league. Read more about Breathe In Deep

Too Slow

"Hurry Up England"
Motty's Sheepskin
2006
"Hurry Up England"
Sham 69 & The Special Assembley
2006

As we saw with Scotland's 1998 ballad-anthem Don't Come Home Too Soon, the British public is suspicious of official team songs that are slow or reflective. And as we also saw with Scotland, the reaction in the other direction can be extreme. Read more about Too Slow

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