It’s been 64 years since Wales last took part in the World Cup, and only the second time in history. So as you’d expect, there’s been an enthusiastic outpouring of songs to commemorate the occasion, from big names and small. Of course we acknowledge the problematic choice of location for the competition and offer solidarity to gay and lesbian football fans, oppressed women in Qatar, victims of domestic violence here in the UK during football tournaments, and the migrant workers killed building the stadia. But we wanted to celebrate Wales’ achievement and do so via the wonder of new music. What we were looking for in compiling this, our football special, were songs written and recorded with true passion. Humour is absolutely welcome, without doubt – but we did not want self depracating, ironic, macho chestbeating, or novelty comedy records. And we think we’ve come up with a mighty selection of top quality workhere. Dive in, and enjoy.
Los Blancos – ‘Bricsen Arall’ (Another Brick)
Los Blancos have recorded the official Welsh World Cup song for Welsh language broadcaster S4C. What’s great about this and all of the songs listed here is that artists have not lowered their game for this – in the studio or on the pitch. Classic Los Blancos, and the video is great too (SPOILER ALERT) complete with a penalty shoot out victory.
The song is sung in Welsh, so here is the English translation: ‘I’ve been waiting a lifetime for this moment sixty four years, five months and two days, but who’s counting? I’ve been thinking, at last our time has come little hope, but we kept the faith three million people standing tall each one another brick in the wall… the red wall. I remember the grief when Bodin hit the bar And Joey Jordan shattered the hope of a country James McLean broke our hearts into pieces But with Bale and Ramsey, we go to Qatar full of hope Chorus Every heartbreak feels far away, Little Wales now takes its place at the table how nice it would be to pick up the cup, but privilege and pleasure enough, is just being here.’
Ani Glass – ‘Ennill Y Barod’ (‘We’ve Already Won’)
The ever wonderful Ani Glass performed her song ‘Ennill Y Barod’ at the Wal Goch Festival For Football Lovers in Wrexham last weekend in the Rockin Chair venue.
The celebratory single is a pink (and red of course!), love and hope-filled electro-pop bop. The song’s lyrics remember the contribution of the late, great Gary Speed, and the loyal fans of the Red Wall.
Ani’s debut album ‘Mirores’ (‘Observer‘) won the Welsh Album of the Year and was shortlisted for the Welsh Music Prize. She is currently working on her much-anticipated follow-up album, due later next year.
Sage Todz ft Marino x Cymru – ‘O HYD’
Sage Todz also played at the Wal Goch festival, and what a full on, high energy performance it was. On top of that, the bilingual Triskel Award winning rapper and drill artist entertained at Cardiff City stadium last week as the country waved off the national team.
Tinty & the Bucket Hats – ‘Waka Waka’
This five piece band from South Wales have recorded a re-arrangement of the song ‘Waka Waka‘ by Shakira in order to bolster their fundraising mission to support anti-bullying charity Kidscape.
All proceeds raised by the release of the song will directly support Kidscape.
The song has also reached number 1 in the iTunes rock chart, as well as entering the official top 100 charts.
The People The Poet – ‘Spirit of ’22‘
This is a rousing, chanty one. The songs starts, ‘I watched my dreams jump out of a bucket hat’ and there’s a lovely nod to Gary Speed in there too.
The Columbians – ‘C’mon Cymru‘
We love this, from Wrexham indie four piece The Columbians. ‘No better team to be found, together stronger our culture, Wales are in with a shout’ they sing; the spoken word bit laying out the facts gets us right in the feels. Heart on the sleeve stuff.
Blitz Boys – ‘Welsh Sugar (Sons of Speed)’.
Blitz Boyz are a Welsh Swedish father and son based in Stockholm, Sweden. They’ve created a music trilogy to celebrate Wales going to the World Cup, and support the team – you can listen to all three here. Go on Sons of Speed and give the world some Welsh Sugar!
Warm Coat – ‘Goal’
From South Wales, jangly-indie indie duo Warm Coat have scored a double to mark the World Cup. The crowd pleaser ‘Goal’ speaks for itself, and ‘Il Gigante Buono’ which is an ode to 1958 Wales World Cup legend John Charles, is genuinely touching.
Mace The Great – ‘Brave’.
‘Brave’, originally released back in July 2022, is a track from Mace the Great who, in honour of Wales qualifying, has remixed and re-released the song with a new video, donned in a Welsh football kit.
Mace the Great (aka Mason Burnett) is a grime and hip-hop artist from Cardiff. The previous winner of a Triskel Award, he played Wrexham’s Wal Goch Festival along with Ani Glass and Sage Todz. He is the first Welsh MOBO Awards artist to perform and showcase at the SXSW (South by Southwest) awards in Texas earlier this year.
Ani Glass photo credit: Beverley Craddock
