Despite their team playing poorly on the pitch, England fans at Euro 2024 have been making the most of their stay in Germany. Hundreds of thousands of England fans have been in Germany over the past few weeks and they've spent a lot of their time creating and singing new football songs.
One of their most popular songs at Euro 2024 has been one to the tune of Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen. The question is, why have England fans adopted this classic hit from the American legend and when did it first surface? Here is everything you need to know.
Dancing in the Dark at Euro 2024 – The latest addition to the England songbook
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Although it may sound like England fans are singing Dancing in the Dark at Euro 2024, they are actually singing a slightly modified version. England fans have altered the lyrics of the classic Springsteen hit in an ode to Phil Foden, one of their finest players.
The England version of Dancing in the Dark is as follows:
Can't start a fire,
Can’t start a fire without a spark,
Phil Foden's on fire,
he'll be playing the Germans off the park
England’s new song is absolutely quality! 😍
“Can’t start a fire, Can’t start a fire without a spark, Phil Foden’s on Fire… He’ll be playing the Germans off the park.”
Love it! 👏🏴 pic.twitter.com/6gzQywsCk1
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) June 16, 2024
The song follows the common theme of England fans ripping off classic tunes from years gone by. Other songs they have adopted in recent years include ‘Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond and Atomic Kitten's ‘Whole Again'.
When did England fans start singing Dancing in the Dark?
Although the original version of the song was released in 1984, the song has only started being sung by England fans this year.
While Phil Foden only started playing for England in 2020, it's not as if the song wouldn't work with another player's name in his place so it's somewhat of a mystery as to why the tune has never been converted into a football song before now.
The first recorded airing of the song came on the 16th of June in a pub in Gelsenkirchen before England's opening Euro 2024 match against Serbia. From there, it has very quickly become one of the most popular England songs and will now always be synonymous with Euro 2024.
‘Phil Foden's on fire' – Man City star hoping for semi-final spark
Foden has struggled for form at Euro 2024, starting all five of England's matches and not registering a goal or an assist. The Three Lions have struggled for attacking fluency as a collective throughout the tournament but have the chance to peak at the right time in the tournament during tonight's semi-final against the Netherlands.
Manchester City's young star scored 19 goals and registered eight assists in the Premier League last season, so Gareth Southgate will likely keep his faith in the Stockport-born winger for the remaining matches.
In an interview talkSport's Faye Carruthers following the penalty shootout victory against Switzerland in the quarter-final, Foden was asked the popular England chant dedicated to him. He said: “Every time I've turned up to the stadium, I can hear the fans singing it. It's a surreal moment to hear the fans singing your name. It makes you want to do well for them on the pitch. It's such a nice song and it makes me feel good.”