Musically speaking, Hawkins has looked to past classic rock vocalists for influence in terms of his dramatic, emotive singing style, exaggerated to true 'rock n roll' style, such as Queen's Freddie Mercury and REO Speedwagon's Kevin Cronin. Like many past artists before him, he's struggled with substance abuse and conflicts with friends, having the emotional scars and tattoos to prove it. The magazine 'Spin' placed Hawkins' at #35 on their list of the '50 Greatest Frontmen of All Time'.
England
Justin Hawkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tears of pride will stain your faces when we conquer the world
England is the motherland of football
And the World Cup will once again be hers
Football will be our only weapon
Skill and power will be our only shield
We fought them on the beaches
And once again the world will surely yield
England, England, England, England, England, England, England England, England, England, England, England, England, England
From the Tyne to the White Cliffs and the Cornish Sea
Every rolling moor and every shining city
Every town and village shouting ever so proudly
For an English victory
Our boys have got balls, all we need's a pitch
Scratching away at the 40 year itch
Pull on the England shirt, be proud of every stitch
'Cos this year's pickings will be rich
England, England, England, England, England, England, England England, England, England, England, England, England, England
England, England, England, England
Engerland
England, England, England, England, England, England, England England, England, England, England, England, England, England England
In Justin Hawkins's song "England," he sings about the pride and passion that comes with being English, specifically in regards to football (soccer). The song opens with references to men, women, boys, and girls, indicating that this is a unifying anthem for all English people. Hawkins declares that conquering the world will bring tears of pride to our faces, implying that being English is something deeply emotional and meaningful. He goes on to declare that football is our motherland, and that the World Cup is ours - this is the ultimate prize, and one that England has won in the past and will, according to the song, win again.
As the song continues, Hawkins emphasizes the power of football, saying that it is "our only weapon" and "our only shield" - this speaks to the idea that football is more than just a game, but a symbol of our strength and camaraderie as a nation. The chorus repeats the word "England" multiple times, creating a sense of unity and togetherness among listeners. The song also references iconic places throughout England, such as the Tyne River, the White Cliffs of Dover, and Cornwall, highlighting the breadth and diversity of England's geography.
Overall, "England" is a rousing anthem that celebrates English identity and pride through the lens of football. Hawkins uses powerful, evocative language to paint a picture of a nation that is strong, resilient, and ultimately victorious.
Line by Line Meaning
England men, England women, England boys, England girls
All the people of England, regardless of gender or age, will feel a sense of pride and emotion when England triumphs in the World Cup.
Tears of pride will stain your faces when we conquer the world
England's victory in the World Cup will be an emotional experience that will make people cry tears of pride and happiness.
England is the motherland of football
Football is a sport that is deeply embedded in English culture and originated in England.
And the World Cup will once again be hers
England has previously won the World Cup and is poised to win it again in the future.
Football will be our only weapon
Football will be England's means of asserting its strength and power on the world stage.
Skill and power will be our only shield
England's skill and physical prowess on the football field will be its defense against its competitors.
We fought them on the beaches
This line references a famous speech made by Winston Churchill during World War II, implying that England has faced and overcome great challenges before.
Now we'll play them on the field
Instead of fighting on the beaches, England will battle its opponents on the football field.
And once again the world will surely yield
England is confident that it will win the World Cup and that other countries will submit to its dominance in the sport.
Every rolling moor and every shining city
England is a diverse country, made up of both rural and urban areas.
Every town and village shouting ever so proudly
People all over England will celebrate and cheer for their national team with pride.
For an English victory
Everyone in England is united in wanting their team to win the World Cup.
Our boys have got balls, all we need's a pitch
England's footballers are strong and fearless, and all they need to succeed is a playing field.
Scratching away at the 40 year itch
England has not won the World Cup in 40 years, and is eager to break that drought and be champions once again.
Pull on the England shirt, be proud of every stitch
English football fans should wear the England team jersey with pride, appreciating every detail.
'Cos this year's pickings will be rich
The rewards of winning the World Cup will be great for England in terms of both national pride and tangible benefits.
Engerland
A colloquial pronunciation of 'England' that showcases the patriotic spirit of the people.
England, England, England, England
A repetitive chant that unites fans and builds excitement around England's quest for World Cup victory.
Contributed by Jayden I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
TDCT
Remember listening to this when Justin released it way back when!
Scott W.
Is that Phil Taylor in the thumbnail?
Ashley Armato
It sure is
Scott W.
@Ashley Armato what a great darts player. Shame he didn't give it his all on his last pro game.
Ashley Armato
@Scott W. have you watched this? https://youtu.be/ZX5r78caUcE