European Football Championship 2024
These songs celebrate the big event
Which songs will football fans be unable to get out of their heads during the European Championships?
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The European Football Championship is getting closer and closer. Some German artists are providing the right sound for the sporting event in Germany.
For the upcoming European Championships at home (14 June to 14 July 2024), some musicians are contributing songs suitable for the tournament. Which football anthems will be heard in living rooms or at public viewings?
Leonie
“Fire” is the official song for UEFA Euro 2024. German singer Leony (26) collaborated with EDM trio Meduza and US pop-rock band OneRepublic on the song. The song, written by OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder (44), is intended to “express the passion and enthusiasm of football and music fans alike”, says “uefa.com”.
In a statement, Leony explained: “When I was little, we always followed this tournament with the whole family. And that’s why football is a great passion for me. And to have a home European Championship and the opportunity to contribute to the official song is a dream come true for me!” “Fire” will then be presented live at the closing ceremony of the European Championship final, which will take place on July 14th in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.
province
The German indie pop band Provinz say they have been involved with football since they were children. With “glaubst du” they want to make their contribution to the European Championships on home soil.
The song, which is the official European Championship song of ZDF, has a hint of nostalgia (“Jump on the lanterns, we’re feverish. And with a bit of imagination, it’s more than just a game. Childhood, football pitch, all the kids go out. Panini booklet sold out”) and conveys an optimistic mood in the chorus (“Do you believe in me? I believe in you. I want it to be forever. Do you believe in me? I believe in you. We’ve missed each other for far too long”).
Tim bendzko
Football fan Tim Bendzko (39) is responsible for the official MagentaTV European Championship song. With “Come on,” he provides the motivational speech that fits the tournament: “Oh, come on! Now is the moment. The moment you live for. It won’t be easy. Not everything happens on its own. Come on! Overcome yourself, step out of your shadow into the light.”
“That I can create an unforgettable football summer with my music […] “It is a great honour for me to be able to help shape the song,” says Bendzko about his European Championship song. He is particularly looking forward to “great games and a fantastic atmosphere in the stadiums and during the broadcasts across the country.” The singer will perform at the Fan Fest Euro 2024 in Munich (June 12) and will get fans in the mood for the European Championship alongside Ed Sheeran (33), Nelly Furtado (45), Mark Forster (41) and Dylan (24).
Mark Forster
Mark Forster is not chosen for the fan festival for nothing. ARD is using his song “Wenn Du Mich Rufst” for its broadcasts. The football-loving musician sings: “I’m always there for you when you call me. I’ll stick by you, even if it hurts. Even if it seems like the whole world is on fire. As long as we’re together, everything will be fine.” It was important to the singer “that the song triggers positive and beautiful feelings and becomes the soundtrack to a summer that will hopefully do us good as a society,” says Forster. in a statement“These four weeks of the European Championship could give us all strength and confidence.”
At the end of the song, there is also a German reference when a brass band starts singing. “I thought that was important for a home European Championship,” explains Forster. “We can also admit that we have a lot of brass bands and that the world associates this sound with Germany.”
Peter Schilling
If it’s up to German football fans, the official European Championship goal anthem has long been decided. They called for Peter Schilling’s (68) classic “Major Tom” to be played as the anthem when the German football team scores goals. “Well, I really didn’t expect that,” Schilling explained. on Instagram about the new hype surrounding his song from 1982. “Back in the charts for a few weeks now – ‘Major Tom (totally detached)’ as the soundtrack of the (upcoming) summer! Thank you all very much!”
At the European Championships, the European Football Union (UEFA) decides on the procedure for the goal anthem. The same jingle should be played for all goals by all teams, as the UEFA clarified to “Sportschau”. It is said to be part of the official European Championship song. At least the DFB gave in to the fans’ wishes and played “Major Tom” after the first goal against the Netherlands during the European Championship test.
Matze Knop and Olaf the Pinball
Matze Knop (49) and Olaf the Flipper (78) are bringing another classic, albeit in a new guise, to the European Championships. With “We say thank you 2024 (stadium version)” “we’re keeping our fingers crossed for our boys,” explains Olaf Malolepski on Instagram. “What would we be without our team and the many loyal fans.”
The Flippers released “Wir sagen danke schön” back in 2009. The hit song was revived on social media through remix versions in 2022. Malolepski even performed the hit at festivals such as Rock am Ring in 2023. In the new version he sings with Knop: “We say thank you. Today we want to celebrate. What would we be without our team and the many loyal fans.”