Scouting For Girls have announced they will release an “upbeat and summery” World Cup single.
England I Still Believe will be released on June 15 – three days before the team’s first group stage match against Tunisia.
The “fun, upbeat, cheeky and summery” track expresses the band’s hopes for England, and aims to unite the nation under the team’s campaign in Russia.
Songwriter and frontman Roy Stride likened the national team to an ex-girlfriend who still tugs on the heartstrings – a sentiment expressed in the song.
“I was speaking with somebody I play football with and he described England as this ex-girlfriend who you’re still in love with but who lets you down, and you still believe that something is going to be different this time,” Stride told the Press Association.
“That’s how I feel – in every game, in every World Cup, I get so excited, and I still believe we’re gonna win.”
The song emerged following a pub conversation in which the band mates discussed the lack of an official song for the occasion.
He also revealed the single was recorded in just three days, with lyrics being written in the week following on from the pub conversation.
The single artwork features Stride’s eight-year-old son Freddie, who “loves the song” and also has deep affection for the sport.
“I’m really proud of the song, really proud of the sentiment. It’s not supposed to be nationalistic, it’s just a celebration of football and it’s supposed to be quite fun,” Stride said.
He joked that the track, which “will go to Number 1”, will be a waste of time if England lose.
The musician fondly recalled his favourite World Cup songs including New Order’s 1990 World In Motion hit, and Baddiel and Skinner’s Three Lions.
“They were proper solid, great tunes and they’re so evocative of that time and those particular games.”
Stride hopes this year’s run will be different for England, given the “amazing” team.
“We’ve got Harry Kane, the best striker in the world. We’ve got this amazing, young, England team who seem to love playing together. I’m really positive. And the World Cup is such an amazing thing for people to come together.”
He also joked: “Once we win the World Cup, we can re-record it with all the players, that’s the plan.”
The Brit-nominated band, made up of Stride, Greg Churchouse and Pete Ellard, will be touring a range of festivals around the UK this summer.
Stride revealed the trio will start working on a “summery” 2019 album on their return.