{"id":1019984,"date":"2026-06-11T15:17:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T15:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1019984\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T15:17:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T15:17:14","slug":"inside-the-viral-lcd-soundsystem-esque-very-unofficial-scotland-world-cup-song","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1019984\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside the viral LCD Soundsystem-esque ‘Very Unofficial Scotland World Cup Song’"},"content":{"rendered":"

As football fans await the kick-off of the 2026 World Cup tonight (Thursday June 11), the man behind a viral unofficial anthem for Scotland has spoken to NME about getting behind his country with an LCD Soundsystem<\/a>-esque banger.<\/p>\n

Long before Belle & Sebastian dropped their heartfelt \u2018It Only Takes One Lion<\/a>\u2018 and Susan Boyle, Franz Ferdinand and Irn Bru teamed up for \u2018We\u2019re Made In Scotland From Girders<\/a>\u2018, football writer and musician JJ Bull lit up social media with his parody electro number \u2018The Very Unofficial Scotland World Cup Song\u2019.<\/p>\n

With the cool, nonchalant delivery like James Murphy<\/a> over a pulsing minimal electro beat that gradually builds into a euphoric dance-punk wig-out, the song reflects Scotland\u2019s past failures and the downsides of having the World Cup in the US, all while singing the praises of players Kenny McLean, Kieran Tiernay and Scott McTominay and with a thread of national pride rushing through it.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\u201cI know this sounds weird but the entire thing just downloaded into my head from somewhere,\u201d JJ Bull told NME about the song\u2019s inspiration. \u201cIt\u2019s like I didn\u2019t write it. This has happened a few times in my life and I\u2019ve always liked those songs, so I had a few goes at making it sound like it did in my head and about three goes later landed on this one! The words, everything, were already written for me! What a boost.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued: \u201cDepending on who you listen to most I am a copy of LCD Soundsystem, Marc Rebillet, The Fall<\/a> (who I\u2019ve never actually listened to and now don\u2019t want to for fear of copying them), and just any number of bands who sound like them, and also ones I sound nothing like. Phoenix<\/a>, Fickle Public, Idlewild<\/a>, The Hives<\/a>, Michael McDonald, Eagles<\/a>, Blue Nile<\/a>, Getdown Services<\/a> \u2013 I\u2019m ripping them all off.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sound is just what comes naturally when making these songs up on the spot on a loopstation \u2013 they\u2019re mostly repeated four or eight bar loops, which lends itself to dance music, but I\u2019m an indie alternative man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Is he hoping for the stamp of approval from James Murphy?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m hoping for nothing but people enjoying it and most people not hating it,\u201d he replied. \u201cI met James Murphy in Subclub Glasgow once, gave him a hug, gave him a CD of mine I had on me just in case. Again \u2013 I know this is weird \u2013 I bumped into him after a Barrowlands LCD Soundsystem gig. That was about 15 years ago. And I\u2019m surprised I remember that to be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paraphrasing LCD\u2019s classic coming-of-middle-age anthem \u2018Losing My Edge\u2019, JJ Bull added:\u00a0\u201cI mean obviously if he liked it that would be nice, but I\u2019d imagine he\u2019d think: \u2018The kids are coming up from behind \u2013 but this one I\u2019m not concerned about actually\u2026\u2018\u201d<\/p>\n

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Originally from Aberdeenshire before moving to London 13 years ago to pursue a career in TV before becoming a renowned football journalist for The Telegraph and providing analysis to millions on Youtube via The Athletic, JJ Bull has always played in bands and had a number of football-related viral hits over the years.<\/p>\n

He has released a few EPs and albums of his more heartfelt Frightened Rabbit<\/a>-inspired solo material, and now livestreams shows where he makes up songs on the spot. He\u2019ll also be joining Goldie Lookin\u2019 Chain<\/a> on tour in September.<\/p>\n

For now, he\u2019s enjoying the success of \u2018The Very Unofficial Scotland World Cup Song\u2019 as it enjoys a new life on streaming as football fever grips his home country after their rare qualification.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has been excellent,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI make these for myself to enjoy because I think it\u2019ll be fun, it is a massive bonus, and I am beyond grateful,\u00a0 that other people enjoy them. Obviously, as the greatest international football music loopstation genius to ever live I should expect it, but yes. It is very nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

And what does he make of Scotland\u2019s chances this tournament?<\/p>\n

\u201cDepending on who we get in the final,\u201d he replied, \u201cit should be a pretty straight forward win.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"PlayersPlayers of Scotland pose for a team photograph during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ben Roberts \u2013 Danehouse\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Scotland\u2019s first World Cup tournament match is against Haiti on Sunday June 14, before they go on to play Morocco on Friday June 19 and Brazil on Wednesday June 24.<\/p>\n

JJ Bull\u2019s new album \u2018Out Of Your League\u2019 is released tomorrow (Friday June 12) before he supports Goldie Lookin\u2019 Chain on their UK tour in September through to December. Visit here for tickets<\/a> and more information.<\/p>\n