Since its release (a shocking TWENTY years ago), Three Lions has often been touted as one of the best football anthems our country has ever produced.
And bookies even reckon that the song, sung by Frank Skinner and his comedy partner David Baddiel with The Lightning Seeds, may chart again during Euro 2016, even though it was written for the 1996 championship.
William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: “There has not been a decent new football anthem for some time and there is every chance Three Lions will once again be the song that England fans are singing in the stadiums.”
Three Lions is 7/1 to be the highest-charting Euro 2016 song on July 10 when the tournament finishes in France, compared with Robbie Williams at 8/1, Dizzee Rascal at 10/ and Fat Les at 14/1.
David Baddiel said: "There were a few attempts after 1996 but no-one managed it, because Three Lions is the best football anthem of all time.
"I know I shouldn't say that, but I'm pretty sure it is. But I think that's a shame."
Shaun Ryder and Black Grape have recorded an unofficial song, We Are England, which is due out on Friday, recorded with Paul Oakenfold and Goldie.
Here’s a reminder of some of the best – and worst – England football anthems that have been recorded over the years.
Three Lions – Baddiel, Skinner and The Lightning Seeds
Released 30 years after England won the World Cup as the official anthem of the England football team for Euro 96, this song tapped into fans’ disappointment that we hadn’t won anything for so long but were still proud of the ‘three lions on the shirt’ crest.
The song chants 'football’s coming home' and makes reference to famous footballing moments such as 'that tackle by Moore' (Bobby Moore tackling Brazilian striker Jairzinho in the 1970 World Cup) and 'when Lineker scored' (Gary Lineker equalising against West Germany in the 1990 World Cup semi-final).
The song has re-charted during most major tournaments and was re-recorded for the 1998 World Cup with different lyrics, topping the charts.
World in Motion – New Order
Manchester legends New Order, with help from Keith Allen, produced the first and only truly cool England World Cup song.
A catchy chorus and rapping from John Barnes helped it get to number one in 1990.
Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle sang: 'We’re playing for England (Eng-er-land), we’re playing the song, We’re singing for England (Eng-er-land), arrivederci it’s one on one.'
And who can forget the famous rap: “You’ve got to hold and give but do it at the right time, you can be slow or fast but you must get to the line.”
England didn't do too badly at Italia '90, reaching the semi-finals before losing on penalties to West Germany, which upset Gazza a great deal.
Vindaloo – Fat Les
With words by Keith Allen and music from Blur bassist Alex James and songwriter Guy Pratt, Vindaloo was supposed to be a parody of football chants but became one in its own right.
Recorded for the 1998 World Cup, the lyrics aren’t especially difficult and mainly consist of repeating ‘nah nah nah’ and 'Vindaloo'.
However, the England team didn’t manage to score more than Argentina and failed to even reach the quarter-finals 18 years ago.
Whole World at Our Feet – England World Cup squad
This one isn't the most popular and failed to reach the top 40 when it came out 30 years ago.
Released for the 1986 Mexican World Cup, Bryan Robson, Gary Lineker and team mates sang about how 'We’ve got the whole world at our feet, there ain’t a single team that we can’t beat'.
Which proved to be wrong, as they lost to Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Back Home – England World Cup squad
This was the first ever official England World Cup song, released for Mexico in 1970 and topped the charts.
It was sung by players including Alan Ball, Bobby Moore and Jack Charlton.
Lyrics included: 'Back home, they’ll be thinking about us, when we’re far away. Back home, they’ll be really behind us in every game we play.'
We're On the Ball – Ant & Dec
Released for the World Cup in South Korea and Japan in 2002, this song reached number three and England reached the quarter finals.
At that stage, Ant and Dec hadn’t quite reached their current status of national treasures and the song is often mocked.
It contains repetitive lyrics like: 'Gerrard to Beckham, Beckham to Heskey, Heskey to Owen, it’s a goal. We’re on the ball, we’re on the ball, we’re on the ball, we’re on the ball.'
Inspired!
Shout – Dizzee Rascal
Dizzee stormed to the top of the charts in 2010 with James Corden and their unofficial World Cup anthem Shout.
The song is a reworking of the Tears For Fears hit and includes lines like: 'Come on England, we need to sort it out. Put the champs down, pull your finger out.'
England's Irie – Black Grape
Overshadowed by Baddiel & Skinner's iconic Three Lions back in 1996, the song features Shaun Ryder, Clash legend Joe Strummer and the man behind Fat Les, Keith Allen.
It’s not the best offering - combining squelchy acid-house synths, Britpop riffs and baggy beats with nonsensical lyrics. But it's got charm, nonetheless.
(How Does It Feel to Be) On Top of the World? – England United
'(How Does it Feel to Be) on Top of the World?' was the official song of the England national football team for the 1998 World Cup.
It was credited to 'England United' - a supergroup consisting of Echo and the Bunnymen, Space, the Spice Girls and Ocean Colour Scene.
But it was overshadowed by Three Lions 98 and Vindaloo.
