Three Lions is a song by English comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner and the rock band the Lightning Seeds. It was released in May 1996 to mark the England football team's participation in that year's UEFA European Championship, which England was hosting.
The music was written by the Lightning Seeds singer Ian Broudie, while Baddiel and Skinner—presenters of the football comedy show Fantasy Football League provided the lyrics. The title comes from the England team emblem. Both the original version of Three Lions and the updated Three Lions '98 reached number one on the UK Singles Charts. The song has been described as the de facto anthem of English football since 1996. It’s chorus, with the refrain "It's coming home", has become a popular chant for fans at England games. The Football Association (FA) asked songwriter Ian Broudie to compose a song for the 1996 UEFA European Football Championship. He composed a melody he felt would make a good football chant, and asked Skinner and Baddiel, to write the lyrics. The song title refers to the three lions on the England team crest. The chorus lyric, "it's coming home", reflected the fact that the Euro 96 competition was the first football competition England had hosted since the 1966 FIFA World Cup but has evolved to include the concept of the cup returning to the homeland of the sport. The song makes references to several players, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Nobby Stiles and Gordon Banks, who played in the 1966 World Cup winning England team. Among the references in the song are:
• "That tackle by Moore": Bobby Moore's tackle of Jairzinho in a group match against Brazil at the 1970 FIFA World Cup.
• "When Lineker scored": Gary Lineker's goal against West Germany in a semi-final at the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
• "Bobby belting the ball": Bobby Charlton's goal against Mexico in a group match at the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
• "Nobby dancing": Nobby Stiles dancing with the Jules Rimet Trophy after England won the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
It was so popular that even other teams liked it.
Jock McKenzie studied trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester where he was a joint recipient of the college’s concerto prize. Since 1987 Jock has based his musical career in Hampshire, working as a freelance trumpeter, conductor, composer, arranger and brass teacher. Currently Jock holds the position of Professional Leader (Brass) for Hampshire Music Service and is the Director of the Hampshire County Youth Band. It is the mix of all of these musical roles that has led to Jock establishing a reputation as a leading creator of brass music resources, particularly in the field of education and brass ensemble music. In 2020 Jock was awarded an “Honorary Fellowship of the University of Winchester” for services to music education. Currently Jock is working part-time for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; providing tuition for their Brass Teaching Module. In 2024 Jock was given the award for “Services to Youth” by Brass Bands England.
