Go West (song)
Encyclopedia
"Go West" is a song by the 1970s disco
group Village People
. The song eventually found greater success when it was covered
in 1993 by the synthpop
duo Pet Shop Boys
.
". The song was written by Victor Willis (original Village People lead singer) and Jacques Morali.
The song's title is attributed to the nineteenth century quote "Go West, young man" commonly attributed to Horace Greeley
, a rallying cry for the colonization of the American West
; Though Victor Willis denies writing the song with a gay theme in mind, "Go West" is generally understood as an expression of the 1970s sentiment of San Francisco as a utopia
for the Gay Liberation
movement.
Both the 7" and 12" versions of the song were subsequently collected in various greatest hits
collections, including a 1997 radio remix which was made in the wake of the success of Pet Shop Boys' 1993 version.
were asked by Derek Jarman
to perform at an AIDS charity event at The Haçienda
nightclub in Manchester, Chris Lowe
of the duo selected "Go West" as the song they would perform. Though singer Neil Tennant
was unable to remember the lyrics during that performance, the two decided to record it as a single.
The original single version of the song, set for an earlier release in 1992 as a non-album single, was never used. However, both its extended dance mix, and its similarly unreleased B-side "Forever in Love" (an edited version was released on Very Relentless in 1993), were eventually released on the 2001 expanded reissue of Very; its 7" mix also was mistakenly placed on the 2009 compilation Party
. Instead, the song was released in a different version in 1993, as the second single from Very, and featuring a different B-side, "Shameless". This release included remix
es by Brothers in Rhythm
, Farley & Heller, Kevin Saunderson
, and Mark Stent
. The single went to number two in the United Kingdom
and number one in Germany
; in both countries, it was Pet Shop Boys' biggest hit of the 1990s. The single also reached #1 in Ireland
, the last of the duo's four Irish #1 singles to date. "Go West" has since become Pet Shop Boys' traditional concert closer.
Years later, when Pet Shop Boys closed their set (song was performed twice—by request of audience) at the 2 July 2005 Moscow Live 8 concert
in Red Square with the song, the Russian audience could be heard singing along.
in Pachelbel's Canon, bringing the theme to the forefront at the opening of the song. In addition to the Canon elements, the new version also includes thematic elements from the Soviet Union anthem
. The song also underwent extensive reworking of its instrumental tracks, with producers Stephen Hague
and Mark Stent credited for the mixing
, as well as an all-male Broadway
choir arranged by Richard Niles
(said by Tennant to be inspired by the song "There Is Nothing Like a Dame
" from the Broadway musical South Pacific
). In addition, Tennant and Lowe wrote a new verse for the song, with the lyrics:
was directed by Howard Greenhalgh and relies heavily on computer-generated imagery
, like all of his videos for the Very singles. It begins with a red Statue of Liberty
, and then depicts a grey city where the communist domination is evident on the basis of Soviet
imagery (such as red star
s and red flags, Yuri Gagarin Monument and Monument to the Conquerors of Space
). Troops of identical Soviet men march up a staircase stretching into the clouds, seemingly toward a Western
society, with the Statue of Liberty
, now appearing as an African-American diva
looming in the distance (played by backing-vocalist Sylvia Mason-James
). Tennant and Lowe appear throughout; Tennant carries a staff with a 'W' icon, and Lowe travels on a flying surfboard. Occasional live action shots of Soviet iconography appear; in one Tennant and Lowe appear in their costumes, walking across Red Square
.
The video was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video
in 1995, losing to "Love Is Strong" by The Rolling Stones
. The "Go West" costumes were parodied in the video for their later 2006 single, "I'm with Stupid".)
, surrounded by men in sailor
outfits.
Remixed Eurodance
versions of the song have appeared on the Dancemania
series albums, including Dancemania SPEED 4
issued in 2000.
Clubringer covered the song in 2003 with a trance CD single released in Poland. 4 versions of the song were created.
British comedy band The Wurzels
covered the song on their 2010 album A Load More Bullocks.
B1. "Go West" (Farley and Heller Disco Mix) – 6:01
B2. "Go West" (Kevin Saunderson Tribe Mix) – 6:50
and hockey
fans of some countries, including the United Kingdom
, for various chant
s. Manchester United
fans were the first to begin chanting this shortly after winning the inaugural Premiership. After United took the lead the chant would go up "1–0 to the champions" or at any time during a game the fans would sing "Stand up, for the champions" with all fans rising and clapping. Consequently, when United went away from home rival fans would respond by chanting "Stand Up, if you hate Man U". The United fans also used the song to idolize Eric Cantona
singing "Ohh Ahh, Eric Cantona" although this was not as popular as other Cantona songs. It is also used by fans of many clubs such as the Arsenal
supporters' chant "One-nil to the Arsenal", against Arsenal itself, as in "Nayim
from the half-way line
", the West Bromwich Albion
chant "Go West Bromwich Albion" and the Liverpool F.C "Gérard Houllier
" song. An orchestral version of the song was adopted by FIFA
as the official theme of the 2006 FIFA World Cup
. Entitled "Stand Up! (Champions Theme)", it was played inside stadiums after every match of the tournament and is sung by Patrizio Buanne
. The music for the song has also been adapted for a chant for South Korea's national football team and could often be heard when Korea played during the 2002 and 2006 World Cup games. In some Dutch and Belgium stadiums, the song is sung by supporters of the winning side, with lyrics: "'t is stil aan de overkant" (it's quiet on the other side).
The song is also sung by audiences at concerts and at sporting events in the UK to show contempt for poor acts and teams, with the lyrics changed to "You're Shit, and you know you are".
More specifically it is sung by fans of Norwich City, the words being "Come on, let's be 'avin' ya". These were the words repeatedly bellowed across the stadium in 2005 by Delia Smith
, reputed to have put over £12m of her own money into the club over the years and (on that particular occasion) being somewhat overcome by pre-match hospitality. In May 2011 Norwich City returned to the Premiership; once again an emotional Delia addressed the jubilant fans, who responded with the song.
When suspected serial killer Fred West
committed suicide, some football fans turned the song into a send up of him. The song is also used to taunt supporters of teams from the west country
such as Torquay United, Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle
and Yeovil Town
where the words are changed to 'Go west where the football's crap'.
In the 1994
Australian film
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
, the Village People recording is played on the soundtrack as the three main characters take to the road. It also features as a musical number in the film's musical adaptation Priscilla Queen of the Desert – the Musical'.
In the 2004
German film
Summer Storm
, the song is played during the rowing competition at the end of the film. It is performed by the Sound City Girls.
"Go West" is one of the songs in the North American home version of Dance Dance Revolution EXTREME
, as well as its European counterpart, Dancing Stage Fusion
.
In Western Australia throughout the 1990s "Go West" was the tune and face of BankWest used on their TV ads.
To the tune of "Go West", Sharwoods
, a brand of curry sauces made a tune called "Go East" with the most memorable lyrics of "Go east
... Chinese
, India
n, Thai."
The tune was also used in an advertising campaign during in 1998–99 for Ambrosia
Creamed Rice to the lyrics "Oooh Arghhh, it's Ambrosia" - sung by a man with a west country accent whilst riding a cow.
On 15 April 2009, during the memorial service at Liverpool FC's Anfield Stadium for the twentieth anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster
, Liverpool fans used this tune to chant 'Justice for the 96', a reference to the unresolved controversy surrounding the policing of the football match where 96 Liverpool fans died.
In rugby union, Ulster fans have also adapted the song to read "Stand up for the Ulsterman" albeit in a strong northern Irish accent.
The SSC Napoli Italian football club adopted the Pet Shop Boys' version, that is sung every time the team wins a home game.
In May 2011, Chris Moyles
admitted the song was a 'guilty pleasure' of his and started a campaign for the song to re-enter the charts.
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
group Village People
Village People
Village People is a concept disco group that formed in the United States in 1977, well known for their on-stage costumes depicting American cultural stereotypes, as well as their catchy tunes and suggestive lyrics....
. The song eventually found greater success when it was covered
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
in 1993 by the synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
duo Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
.
Village People version
Originally released as a single in 1979, it was not as popular as the group's other contemporary singles such as "Y.M.C.A." and "In the NavyIn the Navy
"In the Navy" is a song recorded by American disco group Village People released in 1979. It was the last top 10 hit for the group in the United States.-Background and writing:...
". The song was written by Victor Willis (original Village People lead singer) and Jacques Morali.
The song's title is attributed to the nineteenth century quote "Go West, young man" commonly attributed to Horace Greeley
Horace Greeley
Horace Greeley was an American newspaper editor, a founder of the Liberal Republican Party, a reformer, a politician, and an outspoken opponent of slavery...
, a rallying cry for the colonization of the American West
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
; Though Victor Willis denies writing the song with a gay theme in mind, "Go West" is generally understood as an expression of the 1970s sentiment of San Francisco as a utopia
Utopia
Utopia is an ideal community or society possessing a perfect socio-politico-legal system. The word was imported from Greek by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book Utopia, describing a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean. The term has been used to describe both intentional communities that attempt...
for the Gay Liberation
Gay Liberation
Gay liberation is the name used to describe the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movement of the late 1960s and early to mid 1970s in North America, Western Europe, and Australia and New Zealand...
movement.
Both the 7" and 12" versions of the song were subsequently collected in various greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
collections, including a 1997 radio remix which was made in the wake of the success of Pet Shop Boys' 1993 version.
Chart positions
| Chart (1979) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
45 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 41 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 29 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
15 |
History
In 1992, when Pet Shop BoysPet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
were asked by Derek Jarman
Derek Jarman
Michael Derek Elworthy Jarman was an English film director, stage designer, diarist, artist, gardener and author.-Life:...
to perform at an AIDS charity event at The Haçienda
The Haçienda
Fac 51 Haçienda was a nightclub and music venue in Manchester, England. It became most famous during the "Madchester" years of the late 1980s and early 1990s, during the 1990s it was labelled the most famous club in the world by Newsweek magazine...
nightclub in Manchester, Chris Lowe
Chris Lowe
Chris Lowe is an English musician, who, with colleague Neil Tennant, makes up the pop duo Pet Shop Boys.-Childhood:...
of the duo selected "Go West" as the song they would perform. Though singer Neil Tennant
Neil Tennant
Neil Francis Tennant is an English musician, singer and songwriter, who, with bandmate Chris Lowe, makes up the successful electronic dance music duo Pet Shop Boys.-Childhood:...
was unable to remember the lyrics during that performance, the two decided to record it as a single.
The original single version of the song, set for an earlier release in 1992 as a non-album single, was never used. However, both its extended dance mix, and its similarly unreleased B-side "Forever in Love" (an edited version was released on Very Relentless in 1993), were eventually released on the 2001 expanded reissue of Very; its 7" mix also was mistakenly placed on the 2009 compilation Party
Party (Pet Shop Boys album)
Party is a compilation album by Pet Shop Boys released exclusively in Brazil on 4 November 2009.The album was released to coincide with the Brazilian leg of their 2009 Pandemonium tour. The album includes both past hits and some newer material...
. Instead, the song was released in a different version in 1993, as the second single from Very, and featuring a different B-side, "Shameless". This release included remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es by Brothers in Rhythm
Brothers in Rhythm
Brothers In Rhythm is a house music duo consisting of producers / remixers and DJs Steve Anderson and Dave Seaman. As a duo and individually, they have remixed and/or produced tracks by Lulu, M People, Secret Life, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, Garbage,...
, Farley & Heller, Kevin Saunderson
Kevin Saunderson
Kevin Saunderson is an American electronic music producer. At the age of nine he moved to Belleville, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit where he attended Belleville High School and befriended two students, Derrick May and Juan Atkins...
, and Mark Stent
Mark Stent
Mark 'Spike' Stent is a British record producer, and audio engineer who has worked with The KLF, Björk, Keane, Depeche Mode, Muse, Erasure, Hard-Fi, Massive Attack, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Marilyn Manson, Pet Shop Boys, Dave Matthews, No Doubt/Gwen Stefani, CSS, Beth Orton,...
. The single went to number two in the United Kingdom
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and number one in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
; in both countries, it was Pet Shop Boys' biggest hit of the 1990s. The single also reached #1 in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, the last of the duo's four Irish #1 singles to date. "Go West" has since become Pet Shop Boys' traditional concert closer.
Years later, when Pet Shop Boys closed their set (song was performed twice—by request of audience) at the 2 July 2005 Moscow Live 8 concert
Live 8 concert, Moscow
On 2 July 2005, a Live 8 concert was held in Red Square, Moscow, Russia. Although not on such a large scale as the concerts held at Hyde Park, London and Philadelphia, it was still a momentous occasion for Russia, and had an impressive line up....
in Red Square with the song, the Russian audience could be heard singing along.
Changes
The new version enhances the basis of the original's chord progressionChord progression
A chord progression is a series of musical chords, or chord changes that "aims for a definite goal" of establishing a tonality founded on a key, root or tonic chord. In other words, the succession of root relationships...
in Pachelbel's Canon, bringing the theme to the forefront at the opening of the song. In addition to the Canon elements, the new version also includes thematic elements from the Soviet Union anthem
National Anthem of the Soviet Union
The National Anthem of the Soviet Union or the State Anthem of the USSR was introduced during World War II on March 15, 1944, replacing The Internationale as the official national anthem of the Soviet Union as well as the national anthem of the Russian SFSR...
. The song also underwent extensive reworking of its instrumental tracks, with producers Stephen Hague
Stephen Hague
Stephen Hague is an American music producer most active with various British acts in the 1980s. He was an influential figure in the synthpop movement.-Early career:...
and Mark Stent credited for the mixing
Audio mixing (recorded music)
In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
, as well as an all-male Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
choir arranged by Richard Niles
Richard Niles
Richard Niles is an American composer, arranger, producer, guitarist, broadcaster and journalist. He has lived in London since 1975. Because of his extensive work across many genres Sound on Sound magazine referred to him as "one of the most versatile men in modern music".-Early years:Niles was...
(said by Tennant to be inspired by the song "There Is Nothing Like a Dame
There Is Nothing Like a Dame
"There is Nothing Like a Dame" is one of the songs from the musical South Pacific. The song was written by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is widely popular in the musical arts, often sung by men's choirs....
" from the Broadway musical South Pacific
South Pacific (musical)
South Pacific is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan. The story draws from James A. Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 book Tales of the South Pacific, weaving together characters and elements from several of its...
). In addition, Tennant and Lowe wrote a new verse for the song, with the lyrics:
- There where the air is free
- we'll be what we want to be
- Now if we make a stand
- we'll find our promised land
Marketing
In marketing for the single, Tennant and Lowe wore uniforms with hemispheric helmets; Tennant's costume was blue, Lowe's yellow.Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was directed by Howard Greenhalgh and relies heavily on computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
, like all of his videos for the Very singles. It begins with a red Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886...
, and then depicts a grey city where the communist domination is evident on the basis of Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
imagery (such as red star
Red star
A red star, five-pointed and filled, is an important ideological and religious symbol which has been used for various purposes, such as: state emblems, flags, monuments, ornaments, and logos.- Symbol of communism :...
s and red flags, Yuri Gagarin Monument and Monument to the Conquerors of Space
Monument to the Conquerors of Space
The Monument to the Conquerors of Space was erected in Moscow in 1964 to celebrate achievements of the Soviet people in space exploration. It depicts a starting rocket that rises on its contrail. The monument is 110 m tall, has 77° incline, and is made of titanium...
). Troops of identical Soviet men march up a staircase stretching into the clouds, seemingly toward a Western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
society, with the Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886...
, now appearing as an African-American diva
Diva
A diva is a celebrated female singer. The term is used to describe a woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, and, by extension, in theatre, cinema and popular music. The meaning of diva is closely related to that of "prima donna"....
looming in the distance (played by backing-vocalist Sylvia Mason-James
Sylvia Mason-James
Sylvia Mason-James born in 1959 is a British singer who has worked extensively as a backing vocalist and solo artist.She started her career with the disco band Voyage in 1977....
). Tennant and Lowe appear throughout; Tennant carries a staff with a 'W' icon, and Lowe travels on a flying surfboard. Occasional live action shots of Soviet iconography appear; in one Tennant and Lowe appear in their costumes, walking across Red Square
Red Square
Red Square is a city square in Moscow, Russia. The square separates the Kremlin, the former royal citadel and currently the official residence of the President of Russia, from a historic merchant quarter known as Kitai-gorod...
.
The video was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video
Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video
The Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to performers, directors, and producers of quality short form music videos...
in 1995, losing to "Love Is Strong" by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
. The "Go West" costumes were parodied in the video for their later 2006 single, "I'm with Stupid".)
Cover versions
The Swedish PSB cover band West End Girls released their version of the song in January 2006. In 2007, classical singer Rhydian performed the song on The X FactorThe X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
, surrounded by men in sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
outfits.
Remixed Eurodance
Eurodance
Eurodance is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in the late 1980s or early 1990s primarily in Europe. It combines many elements from House, Techno, Hi-NRG and especially Italo-Disco...
versions of the song have appeared on the Dancemania
Dancemania
Dancemania is a series of remix compilation albums by i-DANCE. The series deals primarily with dance music, especially eurodance. Despite its tracks have been made by various musicians from all over the world mainly from the European continent, the albums have been released exclusively in Japan.The...
series albums, including Dancemania SPEED 4
Dancemania Speed
Dancemania Speed is a sub-series of Toshiba EMI's Dancemania compilation series. This series features faster, further remixed versions of recordings from previously released Dancemania albums or faster remixed covers of various famous songs...
issued in 2000.
Clubringer covered the song in 2003 with a trance CD single released in Poland. 4 versions of the song were created.
British comedy band The Wurzels
The Wurzels
The Wurzels are a British Scrumpy and Western band...
covered the song on their 2010 album A Load More Bullocks.
12": Parlophone / 12R 6356 (UK)
A. "Go West" (Mings Gone West: First and Second Movement) – 10:12B1. "Go West" (Farley and Heller Disco Mix) – 6:01
B2. "Go West" (Kevin Saunderson Tribe Mix) – 6:50
CD: Parlophone / CDR 6356 (UK)
- "Go West" – 5:03
- "Shameless" – 5:04
- "Go West" (Ming's Gone West: First and Second Movement) – 10:12
CD: EMI / E2-58084 (US)
- "Go West" – 5:03
- "Shameless" – 5:04
- "Go West" (Ming's Gone West: First and Second Movement) – 10:12
- "Go West" (Farley and Heller Disco Mix) – 6:01
- "Go West" (Farley and Heller Fire Island Mix) – 7:42
- "Go West" (Kevin Saunderson Tribe Mix) – 6:50
- "Go West" (Kevin Saunderson Trance Mix) – 6:53
Chart performance
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Germany | 1 |
| Austria | 2 |
| France | 2 |
| Sweden | 2 |
| Switzerland | 2 |
| UK | 2 |
| Netherlands | 3 |
| Norway | 5 |
| Australia | 10 |
| New Zealand | 46 |
In culture
Pet Shop Boys' version of "Go West" has been adopted by footballFootball (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
and hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
fans of some countries, including the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, for various chant
Football chant
A football chant or terrace chant, is a song or chant sung at association football matches. They can be historic, dating back to the formation of the club, adaptations of popular songs, or spontaneous reactions to events on the pitch. They are one of the last remaining sources of an oral folk song...
s. Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
fans were the first to begin chanting this shortly after winning the inaugural Premiership. After United took the lead the chant would go up "1–0 to the champions" or at any time during a game the fans would sing "Stand up, for the champions" with all fans rising and clapping. Consequently, when United went away from home rival fans would respond by chanting "Stand Up, if you hate Man U". The United fans also used the song to idolize Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona
Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona is a French actor and former French international footballer. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his professional footballing career at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles in...
singing "Ohh Ahh, Eric Cantona" although this was not as popular as other Cantona songs. It is also used by fans of many clubs such as the Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
supporters' chant "One-nil to the Arsenal", against Arsenal itself, as in "Nayim
Nayim
Mohammed Ali Amar , commonly known as Nayim, is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a central midfielder....
from the half-way line
1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final
The 1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match on 10 May 1995 contested between cup holders Arsenal of England and Real Zaragoza of Spain. The final was held at Parc des Princes in Paris. It was the final match of the 1994–95 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the 35th UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final...
", the West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
chant "Go West Bromwich Albion" and the Liverpool F.C "Gérard Houllier
Gérard Houllier
Gérard Houllier, OBE , is a French football manager, who was last manager of Premier League club Aston Villa. He stepped down on 1 June 2011, following hospitalisation over heart problems towards the end of the 2010-2011 season....
" song. An orchestral version of the song was adopted by FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
as the official theme of the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
. Entitled "Stand Up! (Champions Theme)", it was played inside stadiums after every match of the tournament and is sung by Patrizio Buanne
Patrizio Buanne
Patrizio is an Italian singer baritone, songwriter, producer. He was previously signed with Globe Records, a division of Universal Music, but has recently signed a global record deal with Warner Music Entertainment.-Biography:Early lifePatrizio Buanne spent his childhood living and traveling from...
. The music for the song has also been adapted for a chant for South Korea's national football team and could often be heard when Korea played during the 2002 and 2006 World Cup games. In some Dutch and Belgium stadiums, the song is sung by supporters of the winning side, with lyrics: "'t is stil aan de overkant" (it's quiet on the other side).
The song is also sung by audiences at concerts and at sporting events in the UK to show contempt for poor acts and teams, with the lyrics changed to "You're Shit, and you know you are".
More specifically it is sung by fans of Norwich City, the words being "Come on, let's be 'avin' ya". These were the words repeatedly bellowed across the stadium in 2005 by Delia Smith
Delia Smith
Delia Smith CBE is an English cook and television presenter, known for teaching basic cookery skills. She is the UK's best-selling cookery author, with more than 21 million copies sold....
, reputed to have put over £12m of her own money into the club over the years and (on that particular occasion) being somewhat overcome by pre-match hospitality. In May 2011 Norwich City returned to the Premiership; once again an emotional Delia addressed the jubilant fans, who responded with the song.
When suspected serial killer Fred West
Fred West
Frederick Walter Stephen West , was a British serial killer. Between 1967 and 1987, he alone, and later, he and his wife Rosemary, tortured, raped and murdered at least 11 young women and girls, many at the couple's homes. The majority of the murders occurred between May 1973 and September 1979 at...
committed suicide, some football fans turned the song into a send up of him. The song is also used to taunt supporters of teams from the west country
West Country
The West Country is an informal term for the area of south western England roughly corresponding to the modern South West England government region. It is often defined to encompass the historic counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset and the City of Bristol, while the counties of...
such as Torquay United, Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
and Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
where the words are changed to 'Go west where the football's crap'.
In the 1994
1994 in film
1994 was a significant year in film.The top grosser worldwide was The Lion King, which to date stands as the highest-grossing traditionally-animated film of all time...
Australian film
Cinema of Australia
Cinema of Australia, more commonly referred to as the Australian film industry, refers to the system of production, distribution, and exhibition of films in Australia. Film production commenced in Australia in 1906 with the production of The Story of the Kelly Gang, the earliest feature film made...
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is a 1994 Australian comedy-drama film written and directed by Stephan Elliott. The plot is based on the journey of three drag queens who travel across the Australian Outback from Sydney to Alice Springs in a tour bus that they have named...
, the Village People recording is played on the soundtrack as the three main characters take to the road. It also features as a musical number in the film's musical adaptation Priscilla Queen of the Desert – the Musical'.
In the 2004
2004 in film
The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol...
German film
Cinema of Germany
Cinema in Germany can be traced back to the late 19th century. German cinema has made major technical and artistic contributions to film.Unlike any other national cinemas, which developed in the context of relatively continuous and stable political systems, Germany witnesses major changes to its...
Summer Storm
Summer Storm
Summer Storm is a 2004 German coming-of-age film directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner, starring Robert Stadlober, Kostja Ullmann, Alicja Bachleda-Curuś, and Marlon Kittel...
, the song is played during the rowing competition at the end of the film. It is performed by the Sound City Girls.
"Go West" is one of the songs in the North American home version of Dance Dance Revolution EXTREME
Dance Dance Revolution Extreme (North America)
Dance Dance Revolution Extreme is a music video game and part of the Dance Dance Revolution series by Konami. It was released by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan on September 21, 2004 and is the ninth DDR release in North America....
, as well as its European counterpart, Dancing Stage Fusion
Dancing Stage Fusion
Dancing Stage Fusion, abbreviated DS Fusion or simply Fusion, is a music video game released by Konami to the European PlayStation and PlayStation 2 gaming audience on November 5, 2004. In April of the following year, Dancing Stage Fusion was released as an arcade game...
.
In Western Australia throughout the 1990s "Go West" was the tune and face of BankWest used on their TV ads.
To the tune of "Go West", Sharwoods
Sharwoods
Sharwood's is a British food company established in 1889 and acquired by RHM in 1963, which was then merged in to Premier Foods in March 2007.The company produces Indian, Chinese and South East Asian food and ingredients...
, a brand of curry sauces made a tune called "Go East" with the most memorable lyrics of "Go east
East
East is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.East is one of the four cardinal directions or compass points. It is the opposite of west and is perpendicular to north and south.By convention, the right side of a map is east....
... Chinese
Chinese cuisine
Chinese cuisine is any of several styles originating in the regions of China, some of which have become highly popular in other parts of the world – from Asia to the Americas, Australia, Western Europe and Southern Africa...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n, Thai."
The tune was also used in an advertising campaign during in 1998–99 for Ambrosia
Ambrosia
In ancient Greek mythology, ambrosia is sometimes the food or drink of the Greek gods , often depicted as conferring ageless immortality upon whoever consumes it...
Creamed Rice to the lyrics "Oooh Arghhh, it's Ambrosia" - sung by a man with a west country accent whilst riding a cow.
On 15 April 2009, during the memorial service at Liverpool FC's Anfield Stadium for the twentieth anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster
Hillsborough disaster
The Hillsborough disaster was a human crush that occurred on 15 April 1989 at Hillsborough, a football stadium, the home of Sheffield Wednesday F.C. in Sheffield, England, resulting in the deaths of 96 people, and 766 being injured, all fans of Liverpool F.C....
, Liverpool fans used this tune to chant 'Justice for the 96', a reference to the unresolved controversy surrounding the policing of the football match where 96 Liverpool fans died.
In rugby union, Ulster fans have also adapted the song to read "Stand up for the Ulsterman" albeit in a strong northern Irish accent.
The SSC Napoli Italian football club adopted the Pet Shop Boys' version, that is sung every time the team wins a home game.
In May 2011, Chris Moyles
Chris Moyles
Christopher David Moyles is an English radio and television presenter and author, who currently presents The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 and Chris Moyles' Quiz Night on Channel 4....
admitted the song was a 'guilty pleasure' of his and started a campaign for the song to re-enter the charts.