The Lightning Seed’s Ian Broudie reveals story behind writing Three Lions - 'At first, I said no'

Virgin Radio

16 Jun 2024, 11:57

With the Euros kicking off today and England playing their first game, we’ll no doubt hear ‘It’s Coming Home’ chanted in beer gardens, pubs and sports bars across the country. 

Three Lions by Ian Broudie, David Baddiel and Frank Skinner has become synonymous with English football. 

The song was originally released on 20th May 1996 to mark the England football team's participation in that year's UEFA European Championship, which England was hosting.

------------------------------------

DON'T MISS:

Shania Twain reveals the one thing she was ‘banned’ from doing in Prince’s house

Oasis reunion rumours heat up as fans spot ‘reserved for Noel’ sign at Liam Gallagher gig

Glastonbury 2024 set times and performers: who is playing each day and when?

------------------------------------

Ever since it has been re-released multiple times and is still probably one of the most popular football songs of all time, re-emerging every time England play in a big championship.

The Lightning Seeds singer, Ian, joined TalkSport this weekend in the run-up to the Euros and reflected on the success of Three Lions. 

“Three Lions is probably one of our biggest hits,” he told host Andy Goldstein. 

When asked if they knew how big the song was going to get, Ian said: “We didn’t have any idea. It seemed like a bit of a dubious thing, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it. 

“At first, I said no. Then it felt like the competition was coming to this country, and it started to get really exciting.”

However, the thing that swayed Ian was watching Fantasy Football and seeing Baddiel and Skinner. 

“I said, ‘If those fellas fancy doing it, that would be really good. I don’t want to do it on my own,’” Ian explained. 

“Then we got together and we hit it off. I always think comedians are very clever with words and you’ve got to be pretty bright to be a comedian. So, they did a great job with the writing of the words, and I had the tune.”

That infamous melody was something Ian actually wrote while working on a new album, but he thought it sounded too much like a Beach Boys song to work for The Lightning Seeds.

“When it started getting into the context of football and us all singing it had a different feeling,” he added.