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Euro 2020

08th Jul 2021

How Sweet Caroline became England’s Euro 2020 anthem

Kieran Galpin

SWEEEET CAROLINE…DUH DUH DUHHHH

With every major football tournament comes an onslaught of cover songs, original anthems, and re-envisioning of absolute classics. Last week, as England utterly demolished Germany in a history-making game, an exhausted Kane turned to the usual interviews with tears in his eyes. What spurred this sudden emotional outpour? Well, Sweet Caroline, of course!

England has had many incredible songs over the years, many of which are still hummed, sung, and belted in pubs across the UK today. Three Lions, World In Motion, and Vindaloo are just three of the numerous tunes to be screamed within the walls of Wembley Stadium. But now, Sweet Caroline has become the song of choice.

A song usually contained to the depths of sweaty nightclubs and the occasional drunken sing-song at a family birthday; it was slated to begin its football Journey in the premier league in 2019. Like all great things, including Jack Grealish, Sweet Caroline originated at Aston Villa.

Villa fans began singing the song after their 1-1 draw with Stoke back in 2019. Since then, the tune has been a prerequisite for the Villa faithful, with one notable use of the song being during the season in which they got promoted to the Premier League.

The classic was also belted through the streets of Brummie after their win against West Brom in the semis and was also present at Wembley following their 2-1 win over Derby County in the final.

But they’re not the only team with the connection, with Arsenal and Reading also laying claim to a special affinity with the tune.

Since 2019, the song has spread like wildfire through the Premier League and also other sports. In America, the Boston Red Sox has Sweet Caroline as their official anthem. But like any catchy football tune, it only takes one eager and overly excited fan to start the chain reaction going.

The Three Lions will now face off against Italy on Sunday. The winners will officially bring it home, and whichever nation come out victorious will be in celebration for weeks. Don’t tell Italy, but it is obviously coming home.

Be sure to sign the petition if you want a national bank holiday following Englands win on Sunday.

The petition is entitled “Give the UK a Bank Holiday on Monday July 12th if England win Euro 2020.”

“England may be playing a European Championship Final at 8pm on Sunday 11th July. It would be beneficial and sensible to give the country the day off the next day if England win, in the form of an extra Bank Holiday Monday,” reads the description.