A pop anthem is back in the music charts more than 30 years after its release, thanks to a campaign by Aberdeen football fans.
The 1980s hit Don’t You Want Me by The Human League reached number four on the iTunes charts yesterday after Dons supporters adopted the song and changed the lyrics.
The electro-pop group, who went to number one with the song in 1981, say they are “honoured”.
Fans have been attempting to get the song to the top of the charts since the club won the Scottish League Cup on Sunday.
An alternative version – with the words Peter Pawlett Baby – was chanted by thousands of supporters in tribute to the midfielder, who was unable to play because of a groin injury.
Chris Crighton, editor of the Red Final fanzine, said: “The song was such a significant part of the cup final with everyone singing along when the team did a lap of honour.
“If it gets in to the top 10 it will be absolutely amazing – especially for a club our size.”
Fans are now also calling on the Human League to come to Aberdeen to play the song – with the alternative Peter Pawlett lyric.
The track, which is the 24th biggest selling single of all-time, was at number 21 in the Official Singles Chart last night and is expected to climb further as cup fever sweeps the north-east.
It was played by BBC Radio 2 DJ Steve Wright, who told the story behind the campaign, and has also received airplay on BBC Radio 1. Former Open champion Paul Lawrie, who downloaded the track on Tuesday night, said: “The game was terrible but the occasion was brilliant.
“At the end when they were singing Peter Pawlett Baby it just blasted along the whole stand.”
A statement from the band said waking up to find out they had climbed the charts again was one of the biggest surprises of their career.
It read: “We are slightly stunned but at the same time very honoured that the fans of Aberdeen FC have chosen our song as their anthem to Peter Pawlett and their achievement in getting it so high in the charts in the space of just one day is a real testament to both their dedication to their club and to this player in particular.
“As we believe the saying goes in Aberdeen. . . Come On You Reds!”