In a time now thankfully passed, we had what we’ll refer to as the Will Grigg debacle; Wigan’s biggest cultural contribution since the pier. Now, clearly, we all know that Insert Player Name Here’s On Fire did not originate in Lancashire. And that’s pretty much what got us thinking in the first place about what the best Stevenage songs of all time are. After all, we reckon you’ll have no dispute about the fact we’ve had some reet gradely choons in our time.
And, no – we don’t consider “Boom Boom Boom, Let Me Hear You Say Haber” to be part of it.
As ever, this is based on our experience as a Boro’ fan, and what we’ve been told around the edges. So, we’re not claiming this is the definitive Now, That’s What I Call Stevenage Borough. And we’ve judged them on lyrical genius, topicality, and general enjoyment. Feel free to chip in with your own suggestions in the comments. Otherwise, hold your peace – and hum your way through these 10 absolute bangers.
…or steal if you’re reading this from the Wigan area.
Now That’s What We Call Music: 10 Of The Best Stevenage Songs…
1: Luke Freeman – Freeman’s On Fire
Mmm, oh yes. We went there. “Freeman’s On Fire / Your Right Back Is Terrified” is the beauty that became the best. It’s 2012, the oppo is Sheffield United, and the occasion is the League One playoff semi final first leg. And, for the first time since 1997, Gala can start expecting the postman to bring a royalties cheque. Admittedly, this number feels like it’s everywhere now. But at least it started with us – rather than us borrowing it from someone else.
Sadly, Vic Reeves’ dance didn’t quite catch on with it…
And obviously the video above isn’t us. But we think it’s the same Freeman.
2: General – Dale Cavese
Now, this isn’t the wittiest or the most unique. What it is, however, is bouncy. And it has that quality that some can’t quite manage: universality. Upon securing promotion to the Football League in 2010, the Dale Cavese started emanating from the East Terrace. It said to the world that we were no longer non-league; that we were not to be messed with and that we were all in it together for the sake of Boro’.
3: Jo Flack – Flack For Good
“Whatever I said, whatever I did; I didn’t mean it. I just want Jo Flack for good“. We don’t have a picture of him beside us, or his lipstick marks still on our coffee cup. Young striker Jo Flack made just 22 appearances for us. But he can at least claim to have one of the best Stevenage songs of all time. It’s certainly one of our favourite ever. And maybe that’s all that matters?
4: Dani Lopez – La Lopez
Not all players can become a Boro’ great. Some give it a good ol’ bash, mind you. And we put Lopez into that bracket. Like a few others, however, the Spanish striker’s legacy – apart from a mad hattrick against Sheffield United – is a stonker of a song. He didn’t even have to be a part of the action at the time for it to be a hit (you can also say the same about Hocking All Over The World at Barnet). La-la-la-la-Lopez…
5: Anthony Elding – I’m A Believer
The time under GW in the mid-2000s wasn’t always amazing to watch. But there was quite a dose of creativity creeping into our songs. What we have here isn’t the most scannable, nor will it likely be copied. At the time, however, it worked: “And then I saw his face, his name is Eldinho; not a trace, left his marker behind. I’m in love. Woooo! His name is Eldinho, he couldn’t leave us if he tried…”
But he did leave us, albeit down to GW…
6: George Boyd – He’s Electric
“He’s electric. Got a manager who is eccentric. He’s done thing we never expected. And his name’s George Boyd” – one of the most gifted Boro’ players of all time deserved a song (or two) to match. This was our favourite of them. And immense fun it was too…
7: Rob Quinn – Obviously
“Obviously, he’s outta your league. How can you win, when we’re playing Rob Quinn“. It’s not completely accurate, obviously (no pun intended). After all, Quinn didn’t even get off to that good a start in Boro’ colours; being on the losing side when he made his Boro’ debut in 2004.
8: Danny Newton – September
We’d long thought that ‘Newton’, much like orange or purple, didn’t have a genuine rhyme in the English language. And yet there was Luton, staring back at us all the time. What it meant is that we got “Woah-oh, we got Danny Newton; woah-oh, he f*cking hates the Luton; woah-oh, scoring goals at Broadhall Way” – a beautiful repurposing of Earth, Wind and Fire’s smash hit that resonated around the Lamex when in full flow.
9: Jerome Okimo – I Need A Hero
Total kudos to whoever cracked this gem; Bonnie Tyler never sounding so better than when I Need A Hero was converted to Jerome Okimo. This is yet another one (perhaps) that you may file under “OK player, brilliant song”. Okimo wound up at Barnet for a reason, you know. Still, we’re happy to count it as one of our best Stevenage songs all the same.
10: General – (Is This The Way To) The Britannia
Now, this one is extremely of its time. Honestly, Peter Kay had a lot to answer for in getting this Tony Christie hit to the forefront of everyone’s minds in the mid-2000s. We didn’t even find out if it was the way to Amarillo. For Boro’, however, the destination was the Britannia Stadium in Stoke: “Is this the way to the Britannia, every night I’ve been hugging my pill-ah; Dreaming dreams of the Britannia, the Football League it waits for me“.
Of course, Carlisle went up – not us.
Bonus Track: General – Loud and Proud
How could we rattle through some of the best Stevenage songs without including one that’s truly original? Loud and Proud is the invention of Gordon Bennett and The Boro’ Boys – our former matchday announcer Andrew Green to many of us. Created during our famous 1997-8 FA Cup run, the ditty celebrates a steadfast nature and refusal to be beaten long before we’d fully realise it when promoted to the Football League. Stevenage, the team for me…
Er, No: Alan Paris – Bonjour Alan Paris
Like the logic. Dislike the execution.
