Music and soccer: There’s no game without fan chants, stadium anthems and walk-out songs

In the world of football (ie. soccer), where passions run high and loyalties run deep, music is much more than just background noise. It’s a profound part of the experience, adding to the emotional and cultural depth of the game.

Music is woven into every aspect of the sport: fan chants, stadium anthems, club-associated bands and even walk-out songs that amplify the game’s energy.

Every major club boasts a repertoire of songs and chants that can be distinctive as their colours or crests. Fan songs create a unique atmosphere for each team, and unite fans across all demographics. In the stands, fans become a choir of thousands, belting out tunes that range from popular songs to time-honoured hymns unique to their clubs. These songs are rallying cries that inspire the team on the pitch while intimidating opponents — a wall of sound that resonates through stadiums, binding everyone within its vibrations while adding goosebumps along the way.

For example, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (from the musical Carousel) was embraced by Liverpool fans in the 1960s and has since become synonymous with the club, echoing through Anfield before every home game. The shared singing experience not only boosts morale but also serves as a connection between the club’s history, its players and its loyal fans around the world.

The energy before kick-off is a mix of excitement, tension and hope, and music plays a critical role in setting the vibe. The pregame music choice varies by club, each selecting a song that aligns with their identity and energy.

Chelsea FC, for instance, adopted “The Liquidator” by Harry J Allstars. With its upbeat tempo and reggae rhythm, it’s a song that sends an electric current through the crowd. I personally play it on the way to watch every match at Burgundy Lion, and the first time I sang along to it at Stamford Bridge was an experience that changed my life forever.

In England, the bond between local musicians and their soccer teams is particularly strong, especially in Manchester, a city known for producing legendary bands.

While Manchester City fans have long connected to “Blue Moon” as a stadium chant, they also have a strong association with Oasis. Members Liam and Noel Gallagher are both outspoken City fans, and “Wonderwall” often plays through the Etihad Stadium.

Similarly, Manchester United is linked with the Stone Roses. Tracks like “This Is the One” connect deeply with United fans.

In South America, fan culture is famously intense, with drumming, chanting and dancing creating a unique carnival-like experience. In Argentina and Brazil, the rhythms of samba and other traditional styles influence the way fans celebrate their teams. These musical expressions become part of the fanbase identity, much like a club’s colours or crests.

It’s no different throughout Europe, where certain musical traditions and specific songs are key to soccer fandom. Every Italian stadium has choirs of fans singing passionately. And not only are some of the songs about their teams, some teams even have songs dedicated to taunting their rivals.

Through anthems, chants and even pregame playlists, fans and players are given a chance to voice their passion and loyalty, and express emotion on a huge scale. Music and soccer complement each other because both tell stories of communities, victories and heartbreak.

Whether it’s a lone fan singing in the rain or getting pumped in their car on the way to a match at the pub or an entire stadium doing it all together, music is a reminder that soccer is more than just a sport or a game, but something that can connect us all. ■

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This article was originally published in the Nov. 2024 issue of Cult MTL.

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