After mounting speculation linking England’s official World Cup 2006 song with a clutch of hot young bands including cheeky chappies the Kaiser Chiefs, the FA eventually opted for the services of inoffensive indie five piece Embrace.
Upon hearing the news, football fans up and down the county were quick to protest, claiming the FA’s decision lacked wisdom and testicular fortitude. Could a band widely renowned for being members of the charisma bypass society really inspire our national side to victory in Germany?
Embrace certainly have a high standard to match, what with previous World Cup songs ‘Three Lions’ and New Orders’ ‘World in Motion’ still very much terrace favourites.
They say:
Contactmusic: “There’s nothing that invites the nation to join in, like the ‘In-ger-land’ chant of ‘World in Motion’, or the ‘It’s coming home…’ segment of ‘Three Lions’.”
Manchester Evening News: “It’s memorable, but not ‘belt it out’ catchy.”
CD Times: “There is nothing here that will make you want to drape your arm round a mate and bellow the chorus.”
We say:
‘World at Your Feet’ is a perfectly acceptable slice of indie pop when judged by Embrace’s typical sub standard output. However, as an official football anthem it falls miserably short. In fact, it’s the absolute antithesis of what a World Cup song should be.
While New Orders’ ‘World in Motion’ dazzled footie fans with its semi-scientific reading of the beautiful game (complete with iconic John Barnes rap) and Baddiel, Skinner & the Lightning Seeds’ ‘Three Lions’ lifted their spirits with its perfect mix of nostalgic heroism and singalong chorus, Embrace’s ‘World at Your Feet’, which makes no mention of the World Cup or even football for that matter, will likely send them to the nearest pub to reflect on the one that got away.
“You’re the first in my life to make me think that we might just go all the way,” Danny McNamara sings with all the conviction of a manic depressive, occasionally throwing in his patented weepy falsetto. It’s not exactly awe inspiring stuff.
Like a David Beckham spotkick, ‘World at Your Feet’ is way off target. Don’t be surprised to hear ‘Three Lions’ roaring through the streets of Frankfurt come 10th June.
Like this? Try these:
New Order – World in Motion
Baddiel, Skinner & the Lightning Seeds – Three Lions
RELEASED
Out now
LABEL
Independiente
POSTED...
Wed 31 May 2006 at 9:07pm
