The Replica Shirts: Official Unofficial World Cup Song
Controversial as it is, The Replica Shirts single featuring Jesse Green is good.
So good it is on a number of national radio playlists, despite no word from Nelson Mandela – yet!
Based on the song ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ written by Jerry Dammers and performed by his Coventry-based band The Special A.K.A. which reached No.9 in the charts in 1984, it raises a few home truths about the England team’s chances this summer in South Africa.
But is it likely to get the crowds behind the team? Oh yes! The tune was certainly a terrace pleaser in the 80s and spans the generations now.
Its pedigree is good too. Jesse Green recorded three notable disco songs for EMI in the mid 70’s; ‘Nice and slow’, ‘Flip’ and “Disco crazy” all reached the UK charts.
The Replica Shirts and the record were put together by a football enthusiast who spends Saturdays like millions playing football in a local league. He also guests in a band, and runs local bars around music meccas in the North West. Martin Ellis is no stranger to controversy or the contacts to make this work. He talks about a ‘eureka moment’ in his kitchen.
“I can understand Fabio not wanting the fuss that surrounds a song, to be able to concentrate on winning, but the fans need something. A proportion of sales goes to the Bobbie Robson Foundation anyway, in memory of a guy that got us the nearest to the Cup we’ve ever got since ‘66. And my attitude is ’why not?’
It was when I heard ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ come on the radio in my kitchen and thought it was the perfect anthem to start this year’s world cup bid with. It broke down barriers and still has meaning. It needed new lyrics and the cooperation from Jesse before it could become a possibility but we are here now and everyone I play it to thinks it is brilliant.
I’m not sure – yet – what Nelson Mandela will think of the record but he will know how important the success of the World Cup is to South Africa. I don’t want Africa not to be part of the rest of the World. Fred Hunter on the board of the FA has heard the record and likes it."
Music, like football, transcends barriers and the original Specials song has been widely credited with influencing Mandela’s release. The decision to stage the World Cup in South Africa was controversial with a rumoured 600,000 tickets still to be sold.
“Sport played an integral role in the embargo of and freedom for South Africa, as did this tune in the freedom of Nelson Mandela. Sport and music have come full circle with this song for the World Cup.
A winning combination. Enjoy!"
Ends: 459 words
To hear the song and see the video please visit: www.youtube.com/marketingprojects
Press Contacts: Phil Brotherhood
E: phil@marketingprojects.co.uk M: 07884 493370
Jane Harrad-Roberts
E: jane@marketingprojects.co.uk M: 07785 395705
W: www.marketingprojects.co.uk T: 01244 330000
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