The backing track for the chorus of World in Motion bore similarities to the instrumental theme tune for the DEF II current-affairs show, Reportage. This had been written for the show by Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert, also of New Order (and who would later be known as The Other Two). The song was produced by Stephen Hague, who had also produced one of the group's earlier hits, "True Faith".
The single's B-side, in reality an early version of the A-side, was cleverly titled "The B-Side", extending the football theme of the release, and was produced by former Swans member Roli Mosimann. The single was released in May 1990 with the catalogue number FAC 293. It was New Order's last release on Factory Records.
In 1996, a remixed version appeared on a various artists album called The Beautiful Game, released to tie in with Euro 96.
The single was re-released for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, this time with the track "Such a Good Thing" replacing "The B-Side". It failed to enter the UK Top 40. It was due to have been re-released again in remixed form for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. However despite a UK release date of 29th May 2006 a last minute decision was taken to shelve this release and the remix has never surfaced.
The legendary "They think it's all over" quotation uttered by Football Commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme at the end of the 1966 World Cup Final between England and West Germany is utilised at the beginning and end of the track (though not the original; Wolstenholme re-recorded his famous phrase especially for the producers), and somewhat less known samples, such as "A beauty scored by Bobby Charlton" and "We Want Goals" are taken from Goal!, the official documentary film on the 1966 tournament; the voice in question used here is actor Nigel Patrick.
World in Motion
New Order Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, some of the crowd are on the pitch
They think it's all over
Well, it is now
Express yourself
Create the space
You know you can win
Beat the man
Take him on
You never give up
It's one on one
Express yourself
It's one on one
Express yourself
It's one on one
Express yourself
You can't be wrong
When something's good
It's never gone
Love's got the world in motion
And I know what we can do
Love's got the world in motion
And I can't believe it's true
Now is the time
Let everyone see
You never give up
That's how it should be
Don't get caught
Make your own play
Express yourself
Don't give it away
Express yourself
It's one on one
Express yourself
It's one on one
Express yourself
You can't be wrong
When something's good
It's never gone
Love's got the world in motion
And I know what we can do
Love's got the world in motion
And I can't believe it's true
Love's got the world in motion
And I know what we can do
Love's got the world in motion
And I can't believe it's true
You've got to hold and give
But do it at the right time
You can be slow or fast
But you must get to the line
They'll always hit you and hurt you
Defend and attack
There's only one way to beat them
Get 'round the back
Catch me if you can
'Cause I'm the England man
And what you're looking at
Is the master plan
We ain't no hooligans
This ain't a football song
Three lions on my chest
I know we can't go wrong
We're playing for England (England)
We're playing the song
We're singing for England (England)
Arrivederci, it's one one one
We're playing for England (England)
We're playing the song
We're singing for England (England)
Arrivederci, it's one one one
We're playing for England (England)
We're playing the song
We're singing for England (England)
Arrivederci, it's one one one
We're playing for England (England)
We're playing the song
We're singing for England (England)
Arrivederci, it's one one one
The opening lines of New Order's "World in Motion" refers to a famous situation that occurred during an England vs. Germany football match back in 1966. During the match, the crowd had started to enter the pitch before the end of the game, thinking that the game was already over. This moment essentially highlights the excitement and anticipation that comes with a high-stakes football game.
Throughout the song, the lyrics repeatedly encourage the listener to "Express Yourself" and to "Take him on" referring to the act of going head-to-head with an opponent in a football match. The song's chorus "Love's got the world in motion and I know what we can do" is a reference to the overwhelming feeling of love and unity that comes with participating in a competitive sporting event.
In conclusion, "World in Motion" is essentially a stirring anthem that encourages individual self-expression and the collective pursuit of a common goal. It's a song about working together, pushing through adversity, and ultimately coming out on top.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, some of the crowd are on the pitch
Some people are getting too excited about the game
Well, some of the crowd are on the pitch
Some people are invading the playing field
They think it's all over
They think the game has ended or is about to end
Well, it is now
The game has ended
Express yourself
Show your true abilities
Create the space
Make room for yourself to move freely
You know you can win
You have confidence in your ability to win
Don't give up the chase
Don't stop pursuing your goal
Beat the man
Defeat your opponent
Take him on
Challenge your opponent
You never give up
You never stop trying
It's one on one
It's just you against your opponent
You can't be wrong
You can't make a mistake if you follow your heart
When something's good
When something is true and right
It's never gone
It will always exist
Love's got the world in motion
The force of love is driving the world forward
And I know what we can do
We have the power to achieve great things
And I can't believe it's true
It seems too good to be true
Now is the time
The present moment is the best opportunity
Let everyone see
Show everyone what you are capable of
Don't get caught
Don't let your opponent catch you off guard
Make your own play
Take control and make your own moves
Don't give it away
Don't let your opponent take control
You've got to hold and give
You must hold the ball and pass it to your teammates
But do it at the right time
Pass the ball when your teammate is in the best position
You can be slow or fast
You can take your time or act quickly
But you must get to the line
Score a goal to win the game
They'll always hit you and hurt you
Your opponents will try to physically harm you
Defend and attack
Protect your goal while trying to score against your opponent
There's only one way to beat them
The only way to win is to outsmart your opponent
Get 'round the back
Surprise your opponent by approaching from an unexpected angle
Catch me if you can
I am too fast for you to catch
'Cause I'm the England man
I am representing England in this game
And what you're looking at
The person you are watching
Is the master plan
I have a strategy to win this game
We ain't no hooligans
We are not violent football fans
This ain't a football song
This is not a typical song about football
Three lions on my chest
The badge of the England national football team
I know we can't go wrong
I have confidence in our ability to win
We're playing for England (England)
We are representing England in this game
We're playing the song
We are singing this song to show our support for England
We're singing for England (England)
We are showing our love for England through this song
Arrivederci, it's one one one
Goodbye, the score is tied at one to one
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bernard Sumner, Gillian Lesley Gilbert, Peter Hook, Stephen Paul David Morris, Keith Howell Charles Allen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alfiedooins4190
Well, some of the crowd are on the pitch
Well, some of the crowd are on the pitch
They think it's all over
Well, it is now
Express yourself
Create the space
You know you can win
Don't give up the chase
Beat the man
Take him on
You never give up
It's one on one
Express yourself
It's one on one
Express yourself
It's one on one
Express yourself
You can't be wrong
When something's good
It's never gone
Love's got the world in motion
And I know what we can do
Love's got the world in motion
And I can't believe it's true
Now is the time
Let everyone see
You never give up
That's how it should be
Don't get caught
Make your own play
Express yourself
Don't give it away
Express yourself
It's one on one
Express yourself
It's one on one
Express yourself
You can't be wrong
When something's good
It's never gone
Love's got the world in motion
And I know what we can do
Love's got the world in motion
And I can't believe it's true
Love's got the world in motion
And I know what we can do
Love's got the world in motion
And I can't believe it's true
You've got to hold and give
But do it at the right time
You can be slow or fast
But you must get to the line
They'll always hit you and hurt you
Defend and attack
There's only one way to beat them
Get 'round the back
Catch me if you can
'Cause I'm the England man
And what you're looking at
Is the master plan
We ain't no hooligans
This ain't a football song
Three lions on my chest
I know we can't go wrong
We're playing for England (England)
We're playing the song
We're singing for England (England)
Arrivederci, it's one one one
We're playing for England (England)
We're playing the song
We're singing for England (England)
Arrivederci, it's one one one
We're playing for England (England)
We're playing the song
We're singing for England (England)
Arrivederci, it's one one one
We're playing for England (England)
We're playing the song
We're singing for England (England)
Arrivederci, it's one one one
@liamlanders1008
You've got to hold and give
But do it at the right time
You can be slow or fast
But you must get to the line
They'll always hit you and hurt you
Defend and attack
There's only one way to beat them
Get round the back
Catch me if you can
Cos' I'm the England man
And what you're looking at
Is the master plan
We ain't no hooligans
This ain't a football song
Three lions on my chest
I know we can't go wrong
@UnitedStand
We're Signing for England! Eng Ur Land!
@tomwilson5108
SANDRA
@nathanbarnes2501
SANDRAAAAAAAAAA
@kingsofmany8085
Croatia
@michawill6599
@deejaycoral8 ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ
@zachpisciotta5170
Mark you are the man!!!!
@carrauntoohil86
Man, this song is bloody ace! Why don't they play this over the speakers at Wembley as well as Three Lions? Come on man, this track needs some love too!
@EllaJay
Sorry but it's really dated. Also, it's not an anthem a crowd can chant along to, unlike Three Lions which has also stood the test of time. โฎ
@MrDaveyboy125
It's not a bit dated. All the crowd have to do is say: "We're singing for England... ENGERLAND!... We're playing the song!...!...We're singing for England...." and that Three Lions song is nothing but D R O N E & bad luck...
@James-616
@Ella J
As a non-football fan they all sound like dated shitty songs to me lmao