Blur bassist Alex James has revealed that his football anthem Vindaloo once generated more income than the entire Blur catalogue during England’s run to the UEFA Euro 2024 final.
The musician, who co-wrote the 1998 terrace classic with Keith Allen and Guy Pratt under the name Fat Les, says the song’s popularity during major tournaments continues to produce remarkable royalty revenues nearly three decades after its release.
Speaking to the Daily Star, James explained that England’s journey to the Euro 2024 final triggered a huge resurgence in streams, broadcasts and public performances of the song.
“If England do have a good run, it’s incredible how much the song gets listened to. When England got to the European final (in 2024), I think it out earned the whole Blur catalogue in that accounting period.”
Vindaloo remains one of England’s biggest football anthems
Released ahead of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Vindaloo became one of the defining football songs of its era, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming a staple of England tournament campaigns.
For James, the enduring popularity of the track remains astonishing, particularly when compared to Blur’s extensive catalogue.
“I mean, it’s bonkers because it’s not like they’re singing it in Scotland. But when you think Blur – nine albums and global (reach), Fat Les – one song and very much limited to England, that’s bonkers!”
While Blur built a global following through albums including Parklife, The Great Escape and 13, James says a successful England tournament can transform the financial fortunes of a single football anthem almost overnight.
Alex James compares football songs to Christmas classics
According to James, football anthems enjoy a unique commercial advantage because they return to public consciousness every major tournament.
“They’re like Christmas songs; the same songs come round every Christmas, guaranteed. Mariah Carey she’s set for decades to come – it’s like Christmas every two years.”
The comparison highlights how songs tied to major cultural events can generate recurring revenue long after their original release.
The FA asked Fat Les to create a follow-up
The success of Vindaloo led to the Football Association approaching Fat Les to create a song for Euro 2000.
However, James admits the trio may have overthought the follow-up.
“After seeing how lowbrow we could go, I thought it would be good to try something highbrow, so we did Jerusalem with a symphony orchestra and five choirs.
“I think it’s the most expensive record ever made. But they didn’t seem to connect with people in quite the same way as jumping up and down being silly did.”
The experience convinced him that football fans often prefer simplicity over sophistication when it comes to terrace anthems.
John Barnes changed football songs forever
James also credited England’s 1990 World Cup anthem World in Motion with transforming the football music genre.
In particular, he pointed to John Barnes’ famous rap verse as a landmark moment.
“I think John Barnes’ rap on World in Motion is the turning point in football songs because it was the most dreadful, ghastly sub-genre of music.
“Every time there was a World Cup, or even an FA Cup final, there was an accompanying football record, which sometimes were kind of brilliant, but not in very good taste.”
Why Vindaloo still resonates with fans
Despite its simplicity, James believes that is exactly why Vindaloo has endured.
“We’ve always had this kind of tradition of people singing at football matches together. It doesn’t happen anywhere else and it’s a wonderful thing to be a part of.”
Reflecting on the song’s creation, he admitted its success was never part of the plan.
“Vindaloo is just basically the equivalent of cooking with leftovers, a bunch of pre-existing football chants all stitched together with that one note chorus going, ‘we’re going to score one more than you’.
“I didn’t expect people would still be singing it 30 years later.”
With England regularly qualifying for major tournaments and Vindaloo remaining a fixture of matchday culture, James may yet have many more lucrative summers ahead.
