The Premier League, England’s top division has immense influence in the footballing world. Since its inception in 1992 when the old First Division was done away with, this league has been offering season after season, top quality football much to the delight of the fans. Legends have graced this league and have etched their names in English footballing folklore. The drama, the hysteria and the ecstasy never stops.Every time it never fails to amaze and just when it starts to look predictable something unexpected happens. Over the years, there has been profound interest in this league from not only the people of England, but also from people in other parts of the world. Manchester United, the most successful team in the league has a large worldwide fan base. Arsenal also has a very significant set of religious fans.With Liverpool, their illustrious history is what their fans take pride in. Then come current powerhouses like Chelsea and Manchester City with some uprisings in the form of Tottenham Hotspur and Everton. But what is a league without an anthem. Just like the iconic Champions League anthem which is so soothing to the ears and gives us fans so much joy, the Barclays Premier League also has its songs down the years.Though not as rigid as the Champions League but they have been spot on every time with their choice of music.Here’s a look at the different tunes used by the Premier League.All videos below are shorter versions of the full song but the full songs are easily available.
#1 2004 - 2007
The original hymn of the league was remixed by Judge Jules, a British DJ. Judge Jules was an Arsenal fan and he was asked by the Premier League to remix it. Jules is a passionate follower of football and he remixed it perfectly giving the hymn the tempo to appeal to the audience. This was used during the TV broadcasts of games during the pre-show and the post-show. The hymn’s tone is simple with the orchestra like feel but the version by Jules gave the remix it needed.
In this era of fast-paced music where foot-tapping numbers are usually more preferred, this version of Jules is the earliest one can think of being used in the Premier League. The testimony to this fact of attracting more people through good music lies in the anthem selection for the last World Cup where Pitbull’s fast-paced ‘We are One (Ole Ole)’ was chosen and it surely was a hit if not an instant one like the smash hit of Shakira during the 2010 World Cup where ‘Waka Waka’ was on everyone’s lips right from the start.
#2 2007 - 2010
This was also one of the most recognisable anthems which was composed by Peter Lawlor. The song is called ‘My Saturday Self’ and it was composed for the Premier League. This song is still used in the broadcast of archive footages from previous seasons on TV. It shows players encaged in cells showing off their keepy-uppy skills and passing the ball around. With some famous names taking part, the video is surely a good watch.
Peter Lawlor is a guitarist and the founder of the Scottish rock band Stiltskin. Stiltskin was formed alongside the bassist of the band James Finnigan in 1989. Lawlor quit the band after sometime and now works for Water Music Productions. He has written scores for many football coverage intros and has the honour of composing the theme for the broadcast of the FA Cup matches on TV as well alongwith this amazing compostion in My Saturday Self.
#3 2010 - 2013
Kasabian is a name synonymous with football. Their songs have been on the EA playlist for the FIFA Series and their immensely popular song ‘Fire’ was chosen by the Premier League for their anthem for three seasons. The band’s addictive instrumental tune of the song was adopted with vocals retained only in the chorus. It was a great choice and was certainly loved by all.
‘Fire’ is Kasabian’s most successful song to date. It was the lead single from their third studio album ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’. Along with it being chosen for Premier League Productions, the song also has the distinction of being chosen as the goal music for Premier League club Leicester City, where the band originally hail from. This track has also been placed at number 65 by NME on the list of "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".
A different and equally good theme was introduced during the 2011-12 season during the TV broadcasts. This intro continues to be played during the review of the present-day games. Not much is known of its origin, but it’s an animated version of what each club stands for with beautiful transitions from one club to another which happen seamlessly.
#4 2013 - present
The present theme is Oh so beautiful! The more you listen to it, the more you crave for listening to it again. It is a song co-written by Simon Darlow, Martin Brammer and David Lowe and goes by the name Gloria. Gloria is played in the stadiums before kickoff when the players shake hands on the pitch and also before the live broadcast begins on TV. It has an aura and an attraction and its Champions League-esque choir sound is the icing on the cake. It surely is a very good theme to listen to.
Themes are really important in the modern day game because without themes there is no sense of competition and motivation. The football fan craves for good football and in a league so much popular as the Barclays Premier League, it is imperative that they have one good theme to get the game going off to a good start. Let us hope that the Premier League continues to gift us such awesome music.
