Arguably the most famous England fan song of the modern era, ‘Southgate, you're the one', has been bellowed in terraces across the world ever since it first hit the stands in 2018.
With Euro 2024 edging ever closer, here is the story behind the song, and the all-important lyrics to ensure you can get involved with the tune on matchday.
The story of ‘Southgate you're the one'
Contents
2018 World Cup inception
“Southgate you're the one!”
Happy Birthday to the gaffer Gareth Southgate 🎂🎉 pic.twitter.com/7V92VM5tOP
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 3, 2019
The tune first hit the stands in 2018 during the 2018 World Cup which took place in Russia. It was during this tournament that fans took it upon themselves to alter the lyrics of Atomic Kitten's ‘Wrong Again' and created the famous ‘Southgate you're the one' anthem.
This was the most important year for the song as without it, we may have never been blessed with the chant. But, it would not reach its pinnacle until three years later at Euro 2020.
Atomic Kitten release ‘Southgate you're the one'
Still can’t believe Atomic Kitten have released ‘Southgate You’re The One’ as a single 😂😂 https://t.co/aB8sVGFNJK
— LADbible (@ladbible) July 9, 2021
The year is 2021, and Europe is finally getting ready to begin the 2020 European Championships after Covid-19 had initially delayed the tournament by a year. As a nation, many of us were feeling down and were in desperate need of a morale boost.
Enter Atomic Kitten and their extraordinary rework of their famous ‘Whole Again' song based on the chant created three years earlier by supporters in the terraces.
Sung to the same tune and, for the most part, the same words as their popular hit single, the group's ‘Southgate you're the one' anthem was and still is fairly basic in nature.
But, make no mistake about it, it captured the hearts of each and every single England supporter across the country.
A fantastic Euro 2020
Part of the reason for that, and perhaps most importantly, was the fact that the Three Lions enjoyed a stellar campaign that gave even the most pessimistic supporter belief.
A fairly comfortable group stage saw Gareth Southgate's side canter to a top-spot finish in Group D—finishing three points above second-placed Croatia. A 2-0 victory against old rivals Germany followed, and it was at this moment that belief among England supporters really began to grow.
When the Three Lions flexed their muscles against Ukraine in the quarter-finals, they won 4-0, which proved that England were now capable of blowing teams away—a trait that hadn't always been present under Southgate.
Denmark were the next team to fall at the swords of Harry Kane and co, which set up a mouth-watering final with Italy – a game which would take place at Wembley of all places.
Ultimately, England fell short and were unable to take advantage of an early lead, losing on penalties to Roberto Mancini's side. It was a tournament that ended in disappointment, but the entire campaign captivated the country like never before and ‘Southgate you're the one' was at the heart of it.
It may have first featured at the 2018 World Cup, but it will forever be remembered for the role it played in giving us all a fantastic summer in 2021.
‘Southgate you're the one' lyrics
So, with all that in mind, you won't be shocked to learn that this song is almost guaranteed to be echoing around the stands in Germany whenever the Three Lions are playing at Euro 2024. It will be in the pubs and bars here in England too.
Therefore, whether you will be jetting off to Germany to support the side, or cheering them on from home, knowing the lyrics to this incredible anthem is a must.
They are as follows:
“If you see me walking down the street
Staring at the sky
And dragging my two feet
You just pass me by
It still makes me cry
But football’s coming home again
And if you see me in the stands
I’m laughing and I’m joking
Doing what I can
I won’t put you down
‘Cause I want you around
Football’s coming home again
Looking back on when we first met
I cannot escape and I cannot forget
Southgate, you’re the one – you still turn me on
Football’s coming home again
Time is laying heavy on my heart
Seems I’ve got too much of it
Since we’ve been apart
My friends make me smile
If only for a while
Football’s coming home again
Looking back on when we first met
I cannot escape and I cannot forget
Southgate, you’re the one – you still turn me on
Football’s coming home again
For now I have to wait
But this is our time
It is our fate
‘Cause I just can’t go on
It’s already been too long
Football’s coming home again
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Looking back on when we first met
I cannot escape and I cannot forget
Southgate, you’re the one – you still turn me on
Football’s coming home again
Oh, oh, oh
Looking back on when we first met
I cannot escape and I cannot forget
Southgate, you’re the one – you still turn me on
Football’s coming home again
Southgate, you’re the one – you still turn me on
Football’s coming home again”
Have fun, this one truly is a belter.