Belle and Sebastian frontman Stuart Murdoch has written a new anthem for Scotland's national football team, titled It Only Takes One Lion, following their dramatic qualification for the World Cup. The song, which debuted at the Royal Albert Hall in April, will be released on 2 June as Scotland prepares for their first World Cup tournament since 1998.
The lyrics were inspired by the team's current anthem, Baccara's 1977 hit Yes Sir, I Can Boogie, which has been played at Hampden Park after recent victories. Murdoch, an Ayr United fan, says he fantasises about the song being played after a game. The track includes self-deprecating lines such as 'This is Scotland, where everybody knows you start with nothing' and nods to the Tartan Army.
Murdoch describes the song as a not-too-subtle dig at England's anthem Three Lions, but insists it is done in a nice way. He adds that he will support England if Scotland are knocked out early. Scotland face Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti in the group stage, a tough draw that Murdoch remains optimistic about.
The singer's earliest World Cup memory is the 1974 tournament, where Scotland were eliminated despite not losing a game. He recalls further heartbreak in 1978 when a strong team featuring Joe Jordan, Graeme Souness, and Kenny Dalglish returned early from Argentina. Murdoch hopes to watch a group game despite high ticket prices set by Fifa.
