The Story of Three Lions by Baddiel & Skinner & The Lightning Seeds

July 14, 2024, 7:34 p.m.

Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds – Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home) (Official Video)

How did a comedy duo and a Liverpool indie band come up with this timeless football song?

On 20 May 1996, a single was released, which was the first track to reach number 1 in the UK. four different occasions. Since its publication almost 30 years ago Three lions from Baddiel, Skinner and The Lightning Seeds has been streamed over 52 million times on Spotify and has had over 48 million views on YouTube.

Pretty impressive for a track that was originally released as a cash-in single on the Euro 96 Football tournament, following the TV show of the comedy duo Fantasy football league. The song captured the imagination of the country and to this day the melody holds a special place in the hearts of England fans.

But how did this collaboration come about?

Why did David Baddiel and Frank Skinner record a record together?

It all came from the BBC2 TV show Fantasy Football League, itself was based on the pastime of forming imaginary teams. At the time, Skinner was a well-known stand-up comedian and had won the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1991, while Baddiel had just had a huge success with The Mary Whitehouse Experience. The couple had actually shared an apartment together and the television show mimicked that format, with guests ringing the doorbell to stop by and chat about their fantasy football teams.

How did the Lightning Seeds come into play?

Ian Broudie was a big name in the Liverpool music scene of the 1980s and produced Echo and the Bunnymen And The Icicle Works. He founded The Lightning Seeds in 1989 and had a Top 20 hit with PureWhen Three Lions appeared, he had just had success with the band’s third album happinesswhile their trail The life of Riley had seen the service as a soundtrack to Match of the day‘S Goal of the month special feature.

Broudie told The Guardian in 2014 that the FA had asked him to write the song because the 1996 tournament was being held in the UK and it was his idea to include Baddiel and Skinner. He recalled: “I thought it would only be worth doing if it reflected what it felt like to be a football fan. So I didn’t want the players singing on the record.”

The Lightning Seeds – The Life of Riley (Official Video)

What did the English national team think of Three Lions?

Broudie recalled that apparently Paul Gascoigne was the first player to support the song: “The FA hated Three Lions when they first heard it. ‘What’s the point of all this? We’re going to throw it away?’ The players felt the same way at first.”

We think it is much better than Gazza’s performance.

When were Three Lions released?

The single was released in stores on 20 May 1996And Euro 96 began just over two weeks later. England made it to the semi-finals on 26 June, where they lost to Germany on penalties.

Why did Three Lions become so popular?

As Broudie says, the song is about “always believing in your team”, which captured the optimistic mood of the tournament. It was the great summer of Britpop, with oasis play Knebworth this August and a general sense of national pride. Broudie claims the song says, “We’re all in this together, we’re all ready to dream – even if the chorus says, ‘Fuck all that.'”

How successful was Three Lions?

The single went to number 1 after selling 100,000 copies in its first week, then dropped again for a few weeks while The Fugees enjoyed a stay at the top with Kill me gentlyAs the English team’s season reached its peak, the single returned to number 1 for another week before being replaced again by The Fugees.

Who is Jules Rimet and why does he still shine?

They talk about the Jules Rimet Trophy, which was awarded to the world champions until 1970 – the English team took it home in the glorious summer of 1966. Rimet was president of FIFA from 1921 to 1954 and was the first to come up with the idea of ​​the World Cup. The FIFA Cup we know and love came into play at the 1974 tournament.

Why are there three lions on the England shirt?

The lions have been the emblem of the English Football Association since its foundation in 1863. The lion as the emblem of England dates back to the time of King Henry I, who had the animal on his standard. When he married Adeliza of Louvain in 1121, he added the lion that HER family used as their coat of arms. When Henry II also married into a family that had a lion in their coat of arms, the third was added.

Ian Broudie remembers the song reminding people of this English heritage: “People thought it said ‘three lines’. When I corrected them, they asked, ‘Then why are there three lions?’ And I said, ‘They’re on the shirt!'”

What was the follow-up to “Three Lions”?

For the 1998 World Cup, the same team re-recorded the song as 3 Lions ’98, and again the single climbed to number 1… but England were knocked out by Argentina. For the 2010 World Cup, Baddiel, Skinner and Broudie formed “The Squad”, which also included Russell Brand and Port Vale fan and singer Robbie Williams. It only made it to number 21. The original version was also re-released in 2002 and 2006! In July 2018, when England reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, the original version of Three Lions made it to number 1 in the UK again!

The Lightning Seeds – Three Lions ’98 (Official Video)

What are the other songs by The Lightning Seeds?

The band’s first single Pure became an instant classic and made it into the top 20 in the summer of 1989. Check out The Life of Riley (1992), Fabulous And Lucky (both 1994). There is a cover of The Turtles’ You showed me And Sugar-coated icebergboth from 1997 Dizzying heights Album.

The Lightning Seeds – Lucky You (Official Video)

Where are the lightning seeds now?

Ian Broudie has produced some great artists in recent years, including The Coral, the Zutons And Miles Kane2013 album, Do not forget who you are.

The band released their last album, See You In The Stars, in 2022 and a new compilation, Tomorrow’s Here Today, is out in October. The Lightning Seeds are currently playing a series of summer shows, including sets at Kendal calls And Victorious Festivals.

For more information visit lightningseeds.co.uk