World in Motion

It's quarter of a century to the day one of the greatest footie songs was released. And World in Motion had it all - an anti violence message sung by a band who were popular amongst the casual movement, World Cup song lyricsmith Fat Les aka England's Irie aka Keith Allen amongst the ranks, ray bans and those iconic 1990 England shirts, and, of course, John Barnes "unique" rap.

It remains a popular tune 25 years later, and usually pips Three Lions to number one spot when the music channels do their top World Cup songs every four years.

It could have been so different though. New Order were tricked into doing it by manager Tony Wilson, the Factory Records supremo claiming he'd been approached by the FA (he'd actually pleaded his bands cause to Lancaster Gate). Then the lyrics could've changed - the FA wanted 'loves' to be replaced by 'we've got the world in motion) and Allen wanted to play on the acid house scene at the time, calling the E is for England. And finally Barnes only taking his role after winning a rap off with Paul Gascoigne, Peter Beardsley and Steve McMahon. Imagine Gazza doing it? I mean it's pretty cringey now (albeit fucking deadly when you're drunk).

Best Football anthem ever though? Whether yes or no, band member Bernard Summer described it as "the last straw for Joy Division fans"...