There’s three things you need when you’re going to a football game. A shirt – representing your team – a jacket – because it’s going to be freezing – and a pack of throat lozenges. The latter isn’t because of the screaming and shouting you’re going to be undertaking, either. It’s because, for ninety minutes and ninety minutes only, you’re going to become a part of the loudest choir in all of the UK.
Football chants have become part and parcel of football viewing for decades now. Nowadays, it is customary to sing at least ten songs during a single game to get the rival fans riled up and the players on the field invigorated to deliver.
No one really knows where they come from. They just sort of appear out of thin air and everyone seems to know them. But, contrary to popular belief, there is a trick when it comes to creating and spreading a football chant. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it from a fan’s perspective
How To Create A Football Chant
Okay, got our pad and paper ready? If you want to create a football chant you need to be aware of the rhythm, lyrics and melody that has inspired the very best. The rhythms aren’t that fast – see “Gnome Is Where The Heart Is” and “Brazil”, in the tune of “Blue Moon” – and the lyrics are often catered towards what is happening in the game at the time.
That’s where many football fans get it wrong, actually. Much of the time, people attempting to create a chant will come up with lyrics that are completely outside of what’s happening on the pitch – often to match rhymes and keep the song flowing. But you need to keep it relevant. Reciting a list of top UK casinos might help you rhyme with Liverpool player Fabinho, but it’s not exactly got a lot of context.
Spreading Your Football Chant
Once you have come up with one of the catchiest, most relevant and funniest football chants ever, it’s time to get it out there. This is where the beauty of social media comes into play. Before you go to a game, try to get involved in the club’s fan-base page on either Facebook or Instagram.
Ask people what they think of the chant and encourage them all to sing along on game-day. Other strategies include simply singing it on your own and hoping that it catches on. If you do this, you need to make sure the lyrics are easy to follow and the tune is a well-known, catchy one. It’s worth a shot, though!
The Impact Of Football Chanting On Football Culture
Football chants have become a big part of football games, simply because of what they contribute to the atmosphere and energy of the matches themselves. They spread a feeling of cheer and excitement. They rile up the opposing fans in good humour and create “singing wars”, with each side attempting to outsing the other. Sure, you might need a few lozenges. But the benefits far outweigh the cons!
Conclusion
There is a reason why football is the best sport in the world, and it’s because of the sense of community and camaraderie among fans. It’s far easier to enjoy the game and make friends with your arms around each other singing at the top of your lungs! Just make sure your own chants are made for everyone, there are kids in the stands after all!
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