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(Is This the Way to) The World Cup

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"(Is This the Way to) The World Cup"
Single by Tony Christie
Released29 May 2006 (2006-05-29)
LabelTug Records
Lyricist(s)Ian Stringer and George Webley

"(Is This the Way to) The World Cup" is a 2006 single by Tony Christie with lyrics written by Ian Stringer and George Webley and published by Tug Records.[1] It was released as a version of Christie's successful "Is This the Way to Amarillo" single and created as a version to support the England national football team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The song reached a peak of No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart, and remained on the chart for a total of 5 weeks.[1]

Creation

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In 2005, Christie had a hit with a Comic Relief re-release of "Amarillo" with Peter Kay that reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart for 7 weeks in a row.[2] The BBC Three Counties Radio presenters Ian Stringer and George Webley wrote alternate lyrics to "Amarillo" to support England at the World Cup,[3] which the song predicts England will win.[4] Christie was convinced to record the song using those lyrics by the BBC Radio 1 presenter Chris Moyles.[5] The music video for it was filmed at Barnet F.C.'s Underhill Stadium in London.[6] Christie initially said about it: "It's got a nice summery feel about it and people seem to like it" and the BBC commissioned him to review other 2006 World Cup songs competing with him.[7] The Manchester Evening News said about "Is This the Way to the World Cup" that: "It's that cheesy, it's a classic".[8] Like with "Amarillo" the year before, the profits for the single went to charity, specifically SportsAid.[9]

Christie later came to regret performing the song, stating in a 2010 interview that it was "dreadful"[10] and said he would "...never ever do it again because it was crap".[11]

Charts

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"(Is This the Way to) The World Cup" entered the UK Singles Chart at number 11.[7] The following week it reached its peak of No. 8 on the chart before dropping three consecutive weeks after to 11, 24 and 30 before exiting the charts after five weeks.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "(Is This the Way to) The World Cup". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Akon topples Christie chart reign". BBC News. 8 May 2005. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  3. ^ "The song to rock the world cup?!". BBC. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  4. ^ "(Is This The Way To) The World Cup – Tony Christie". Englandfootballonline.com. 21 May 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  5. ^ "Anthems vie for World Cup glory". BBC News. 5 June 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Video and the radio stars!". BBC. 4 May 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  7. ^ a b Charles, Chris (6 June 2006). "Christie's World Cup songs verdict". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Tony Christie – Is This The Way (To The World Cup) (Gut Records)". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  9. ^ Paul Cockerton (29 May 2006). "Single review: Tony Christie – (Is This The Way To) The World Cup (Tug)". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  10. ^ "Tony Christie: I hate my World Cup song". The Mirror. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Tony Christie: My World Cup song was an own goal". Daily Express. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
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