Jamie N Commons is all about the football tournaments. Not only can he remember what he was listening – and what members of his family were spinning at the time (see below) – when England crashed out of the European Championships on penalties in 1996, but his song with X Ambassadors, Jungle, is fronting-up Beats World Cup campaign. With the World Cup underway in Brazil and England set to kick off their campaign tomorrow evening (14 June), he’s put together a selections of songs that embrace both shoot out disappointments and dreams of glory.
Pavarotti – Nessun Dorma
“Italia 90, the closest we’ve come in my lifetime. This song will forever sound like glorious, beautiful failure.”
Baddiel, Skinner & The Lightning Seeds – Footballs Coming Home (Three Lions)
“Because adjusting the “30 years of hurt” line to a higher number every tournament is now English football fan tradition.”
Sir Hubert Pary – Jerusalem
“Arguably my favourite piece of music… gets me every time.”
Blind Willie Johnson – Dark Was the Night Cold Was The Ground
“The sound of Gareth Southgate’s penalty miss at Euro 96…”
The Fugees – Killing Me Softly With His Song
“…The most apt song from 1996 about Gareth Southgate’s penalty….”
NB If a song does not appear in the playlist, follow the individual link
Michael Jackson – Earth Song
“…What I was actually listening to when Gareth Southgate missed that penalty…”
Spice Girls – Wannabe
“…What my sister was listening to when Gareth Southgate missed that penalty (?)”
Erasmo Carlos – Grilos
“Ok, some killer Brazilian tracks to round this off. ‘Cause you know… Brazil, etc.”
Jorge Ben – Take It Easy My Brother Charles
“First discovered Jorge in a discarded bag of CDs I found on the roadside – or maybe he found me – either way it’s the best sunny day music ever.”
Tim Maia – Nao Vou Ficar
“Classic 70’s Brazilian rock.”
For more head to www.jamiencommons.com.
