Broudie and Rogers formed the act as the "perfect pop project", and Lightning Seeds broke through in 1989 with the psychedelic synth pop hit, "Pure", which made the UK Top 20 and was a minor hit on US pop radio and a major success on US alternative radio. In the 1990s Lightning Seeds became one of the most popular and enterprising of the era. The 1995 album Jollification was a critical masterpiece, spawning several successful singles. In 1996, Lightning Seeds provided the music and production for the official England anthem for the Euro '96 football tournament. The lyrics were written and sung by comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel, and the song, "Three Lions", went straight into the charts at number one.
Since the release of 1999's Tilt the act has taken a back seat as Broudie concentrated on producing the works of others. However, in 2006, Broudie reformed the band with a selection of new members, releasing a Very Best Of album, and performing a number of tour dates. In 2009, the band released Four Winds, their first album in 10 years.
Three Lions
The Lightning Seeds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(We're not creative enough and we're not positive enough)
It's coming home
It's coming home
It's coming
Football's coming home (we'll go getting bad results)
It's coming home
It's coming
Football's coming home
It's coming home
It's coming home
It's coming
Football's coming home
It's coming home
It's coming home
It's coming
Football's coming home
Everyone seems to know the score
They've seen it all before
They just know
They're so sure
That England's gonna throw it away
Gonna blow it away
But I know they can play
'Cause I remember
Three Lions on a shirt
Jules Rimet still gleaming
Thirty years of hurt
Never stopped me dreaming
So many jokes, so many sneers
But all those oh-so-nears
Wear you down
Through the years
But I still see that tackle by Moore
And when Linekar scored
Bobby belting the ball
And Nobby Dancing
Three Lions on a shirt
Jules Rimet still gleaming
Thirty years of hurt
Never stopped me dreaming
(England have done it, in the last minute of extra time)
(What a save, Gordon Banks!
(Good old England, England that couldn't play football)
(England have got it in the bag)
I know that was then but it could be again
It's coming home
It's coming
Football's coming home
It's coming home
It's coming home
It's coming
Football's coming home (England has done it)
It's coming home
It's coming home
It's coming
Football's coming home
It's coming home
It's coming home
It's coming
Football's coming home
(It's coming home)
Three Lions on a shirt (it's coming home, it's coming)
Jules Rimet still gleaming (football's coming home, it's coming home)
Thirty years of hurt (it's coming home, it's coming)
Never stopped me dreaming (football's coming home)
(It's coming home)
Three Lions on a shirt (it's coming home, it's coming)
Jules Rimet still gleaming (football's coming home, it's coming home)
Thirty years of hurt (it's coming home, it's coming)
Never stopped me dreaming (football's coming home)
(It's coming home)
Three Lions on a shirt (it's coming home, it's coming)
Jules Rimet still gleaming (football's coming home, it's coming home)
Thirty years of hurt (it's coming home, it's coming)
Never stopped me dreaming (football's coming home)
Three Lions on a shirt
The lyrics of The Lightning Seeds's song Three Lions talk about the ups and downs of supporting the English national football team. The first two lines express pessimism about the team's creativity and positivity, implying that they might not have what it takes to succeed on the international stage. However, the chorus reveals a strong hope that football is coming home, meaning that England will win the World Cup and bring it back to its birthplace. The song speaks of the 30 years of hurt that England has gone through since winning its only World Cup in 1966, acknowledging the many near-misses and disappointments along the way. Despite this, the author remains optimistic and continues to dream of future success.
The verses of the song expand on the theme of past failures and near-misses. The reference to "everyone seems to know the score" suggests that England is seen as a predictable and underwhelming team, while the line "they're so sure" implies that even non-English fans might believe that the team is doomed to fail. The reference to "so many jokes, so many sneers" suggests that England has been a laughing stock at times, with other teams and fans mocking or belittling its performances. However, the author's memories of past successes, such as Bobby Moore's tackle and Gary Lineker's goal, inspire hope and show that England has had greatness in the past.
Overall, the song can be seen as a celebration of both the joys and sorrows of supporting a national football team, especially in the context of the English experience. It speaks to the passionate nature of football fandom, and the deep emotions that come with hopes and dreams of glory.
Line by Line Meaning
I think it's bad news for English game
We don't have the creativity or positivity to win.
It's coming home
It's coming home
It's coming
Football's coming home
We'll keep trying until we succeed and bring the football championship home.
Everyone seems to know the score
They've seen it all before
They just know
They're so sure
Everyone expects us to fail again.
That England's gonna throw it away
Gonna blow it away
But I know they can play
'Cause I remember
People expect us to lose but I still believe in our team's potential.
Three Lions on a shirt
Jules Rimet still gleaming
Thirty years of hurt
Never stopped me dreaming
Our history of losses won't keep me from hoping and dreaming that we can finally win.
So many jokes, so many sneers
But all those oh-so-nears
Wear you down
Through the years
The constant criticism and almost-wins can make you lose hope over time.
But I still see that tackle by Moore
And when Linekar scored
Bobby belting the ball
And Nobby Dancing
Memories of our past victories give me hope for future success.
It's coming home
It's coming
Football's coming home (England has done it)
Our dedication and hard work will ultimately lead to victory.
I know that was then but it could be again
Even though we haven't won in a long time, we can still win again in the future.
Three Lions on a shirt
Jules Rimet still gleaming
Thirty years of hurt
Never stopped me dreaming
Our past losses won't keep me from hoping and dreaming that we will finally win.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ian Broudie, Frank Skinner, David Baddiel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Lyrics
We still believe, we still believe
We still believe, we still believe
It's coming home, it's coming home
It's coming, Football's coming home
It's coming home, it's coming home
It's coming, Football's coming home again
Tears for heroes dressed in grey
No plans for final day
Stay in bed, drift away
It could have been all
Songs in the street
It was nearly complete
It was nearly so sweet
And now I'm singing
Three lions on a shirt
Jules remains still gleaming
No more years of hurt
No more need for dreaming
Talk about football coming home
And then one night in Rome
We were strong, we had grown
And now I see Ince ready for war
Gazza good as before
Shearer certain to score
And Psycho screaming
Three lions on a shirt
Jules remains still gleaming
No more years of hurt
No more need for dreaming
We can dance Nobby's dance
We could dance it in France
It's coming home, it's coming home
It's coming, Football's coming home
fenix182
I'm Scottish and loved this song as a kid. Rivals not enemies.
Cartoon Head
true
Tristan Allaway
enemies not rivals
Iron Bear Milk
Mate, always the best banter with the Scottish fans.
katakisLives
Wasn't the Scottish song something like Don't come home too soon? at least it was being realistic!
Busher50
Just don't come home too soon
Tom Andrews
Despite all the heartbreak over the years, I will always keep coming back to this track every major tournament. You have to keep believing, never let the spark die. COME ON ENGLAND ♥
Marc Brill
Inspiring words Tom, It's Coming Home!!!! When it arrives, the broken hearts will be fixed and it will feel that extra Bittersweet.. Just in time for the next Christmas #1 Rendition - 'It's Coming Home for Christmas' (I better Start Writing these lyrics).. COME ON ENGLAND ♥
Hard Rock soloing 89
I hope it comes in my lifetime
TheJaps2011
I love this song, I'm from Colombia but i just love the emotion and the whole idea of the song, really wish my country had a song like this to keep hope alive. Hoping for football to finally go home, best luck on the Final.