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The quadrennial high mass for football fans is just around the corner. For some people this is sports heaven, for others it's time to post their most cliché anti-football memes and facebook posts. For me, it's just another welcome opportunity to dig into the history of music and compile a fun list. That, and I've seen Belgian Red Devils supporting playlists on Spotify and they were rubbish.
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Believe it or not, most of the songs on those Spotify playlists weren't even Belgian, and the ones that were, weren't very victorious. Besides, the songs some artists are presenting as their 'World Championship Anthem' sound like farts in a bottle. So, as happens quite often, I think I can do better than just throwing some Stromae, Blur and Psy into a list and name it "Belgian Red Devils Playlist". This list is 100% Belgian and 100% awesome. Go Devils!
Django Reinhardt - Shine |
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Born in 1910, Django Reinhardt grew to become one of the most significant jazz guitarists in Europe. During his short but impressive career Django (born Jean) brought his gypsy jazz to all corners of the world and even today whole festivals are dedicated to him. Out of his huge catalogue I selected the uplifting song 'Shine' because that's what we all want the Red Devils to do in Russia, right?
Zjef Vanuytsel - België
Here in Belgium we have a rich tradition of folk music, named either 'Kleinkunst' of 'Levensliederen'. Zjef Vanuytsel is one of the most influential artists in Flemish folk history. His songs 'Het Dorp' or 'De Zotte Morgen' are (or should be) known by everyone who has ever attended a campfire. I selected his ode to this little weird country, in which he tells us it's better to live here than in some of our possible opponents' countries.
BX-8017 – CCCP House
The Belgian new beat scene has turned this country into a frenzy of beats and basslines. In the late eighties, new beat acts grew like mushrooms, only to soon fade away again. I selected a song by BX-8017 (Jack Mauer & Marc Neuttiens) because a. new beat rules and b. it's Russia related. Now dance!!!
Starflam - Sous Pression
Although very much alive in some local scenes, Belgian hip hop usually isn't very top of the bill. However, this French rapping act managed to score bigtime in Belgium and in France. With this track I'd like to raise the pressure on our Devils a bit, and perhaps publish something at least one of those Red Devils will actually like.
Gorki - You'll Never Walk Alone
With Luc De Vos, kleinkunst gained a massive level of rock 'n roll. This tune represent Luc's love for the ball game. Heaps of football fans on this side of the language border know this song and let's face it, every time Gorki can appear on one of our lists, he should. This one goes out to the fans, sing it loud there in Russia.
The Wallace Collection - Daydream
Look, we all know that chances of Belgium becoming world champion are rather slim but we can all dream, right? So for the next few weeks, this legendary song by The Wallace Collection will be about football, deal?
Enthroned - The Ultimate Horde Fights
Ok, enough with the goodie goodie stuff, time to get serious and dominating. And what better way to be all powerful and scary than by throwing our extremists into the scene. This is what we want on the football field, fighting hordes, breaking limbs, tearing flesh. Let's fill that champions cup with the blood of our opponents...
The Klinik - Desire
The will, or desire, to win must obviously be present in our football gods, otherwise they will get absolutely nowhere. So this track by Marc Verhaeghen' industrial EBM act The Klinik fit quite well in this list.
Sickboy - Time To Play
But then again, you can have all the will and desire in the world, you still need to get out there and kick that leather ball. So here is Antwerp breakcore legend Sickboy and his forward pushing track 'Time To Play'.
Natacha Atlas - A Man's World
Natacha Atlas was born in Schaerbeek and is as multicultural as this country itself. That ethnic versatility also appears in our national football team, which, as Natacha claims so beautifully in this cover, is also a man's world.
Motek - Tryer
Post rock also seems to thrive here in Belgium. I selected this piece by Motek because after all, those 23 dudes over in Russia are mostly just trying to get their hands on the cup. They are all tryers, just like all of us, I guess.
School is Cool - Trophy Wall
Indie rockers School Is Cool have a pretty neat idea. Let's finally put something in our national trophy wall. Fun thing is, these guys have some other nice tips too, like 'Run Run Run' and their Radja-inspired 'Bad Behaviour'. Well, I don't think that's really about Nainggolan but you know, I have to mention him at least once.
Hypnos 69 - Burning Ambition
Stoner rockers Hypnos 69 has been clearing the path since 1994. With piercing, fuzz-loaded riffs this tune will undoubtedly push the Red Devils forward. I mean, look at the press. Even the BBC is claiming that Belgium will become world champions. Talking about a burning ambition...
Wizards of Ooze - Big Red Balloon
Also coming from the glorious nineties, Wizards Of Ooze delivered some butt shaking jazz funk. Now let's just hope that our millionaires in shorts bring back that championship cup, preferably in a big red balloon. That would be pretty cool, no?
Marco Bailey - Dreamday
And we finish this list with some booms, courtesy of trance pioneer Marco Bailey. It took me a while to find something football related but in the end my fantasy told me that the moment we win that world championship would certainly be a dreamday. So there you have it...
