Olé, olé, olé, olé - What makes a memorable World Cup song?

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Olé, olé, olé, olé - What makes a memorable World Cup song? 9 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleRoss McKeeandSimon Doyle , News NIGetty ImagesThe England World Cup Squad joined New Order to record a World Cup Song ahead of the finals in Italy in 1990The World Cup is in full swing and, aside from the matches, fans are enjoying an extravaganza of sights, sounds, colours and songs. With catchy hooks and punchy lyrics, the World Cup song has been a popular pre-match aperitif for decades.

Official anthems at recent tournaments have been sung by megastars including Pitbull and Shakira. But it is the songs from decades ago, when Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland qualified, that are remembered fondly and belted out by fans today, many not born when those cult classics were first released. Put 'Em Under PressureGetty ImagesAudio of Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton featured on the country's 1990 World Cup anthem which was recorded in DublinWhat is it that makes a World Cup song timeless?

The Details

Fans remember those with nostalgic and blindly optimistic lyrics including World In Motion (England) and Put 'Em Under Pressure (Republic of Ireland), with its famous Olé, olé, olé, olé chorus, both released ahead of Italia '90. The guitar hook of Horslips' song Dearg Doom was a crucial element in the Republic of Ireland's anthem, which featured the production skills of U2 drummer Larry Mullen Junior. For Horslips' bass player Barry Devlin it was a pleasant surprise to learn that the guitar riff had been adapted for the song, alongside audio quotes from 1966 World Cup winner and Ireland manager Jack Charlton.

The County Tyrone man described it "as one of the greatest soccer anthems there has ever been". "Certainly here, it ends the night at weddings, it has got a legendary status," he added. "I really enjoyed the fact that Jack Charlton came on and said 'we are going to inflict our game on them', he meant impose, but as it turned out, inflict was a more accurate description.

"It's a really well put together song. "Bloomberg via Getty ImagesU2 drummer Larry Mullen Junior co-produced the Republic of Ireland's 1990 World Cup anthemIt prompts happy memories for Devlin, who produced U2's earliest demo recordings, which included a teenage Larry Mullen Junior. "I did their first demos, they were kids in 1978, I think Larry was 17," Devlin said.

What Experts Say

"I was recording songs that they had just written, most of which never made it in to the outer world. "At about three o'clock in the morning, I was used to working late, Larry's dad showed up and said 'I have to take this lad home, he has got school work in the morning. '"I said rather sheepishly 'but Mr Mullen, I haven't finished with Larry's bass drum yet'.

"He then looked at me and said 'ah you have! ', so that was the end of the day's drum work.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.