GO ON YOURSELF! HUNTER & McMUSTARD PEN SCOTLAND’S UNOFFICIAL EURO 2024 ANTHEM
With the EURO 2024 on the cusp of kick off, contemporary folk band Hunter & McMustard (John McMustard and Colin Hunter) have penned what they hope will become an unofficial anthem of the Scotland teams’ latest football efforts. Joining forces with the Dumfries Community Choir, the band have captured an energy of togetherness and optimism enriched in community spirit; something which I sure football fans either side of the border can agree Scotland will need in an abundance for this competition.
But back to the song. Released on June 7th, ‘Go On Yourself‘ has already gained weighty momentum and given the credit of “Single of The Week” on BBC Radio Scotland. Bringing together musicians from across the country, ‘Go On Yourself‘ was never written as being a football anthem in mind, as John McMustard explains;
“The song wasn’t originally intended as a Tartan Army anthem, but as we started to collaborate with more people, the momentum just sort of grew from there which is why we wanted to release it ahead of the Euros…This is an anthem that guarantees a sing song any time it’s played live and we’re hopeful the Tartan Army gets right behind it.”
Starting off with a sweet strumming, the first hint of patrotism – in the form of bagpiping – breaks it’s way through the melody before lending the spotlight to co-vocalist John McMustard. Not what you expect from a hopeful football anthem, this is a ballad embed with emotion. As the song builds, the backing of Dumfries Community Choir intensify the sentiment of hope and unity. The steady orchestration amplifies as the song progresses with the bagpipes still playing a leading role, strengthening the wholesome feeling of patriotism.
“What I love about this song is how upbeat it makes you feel which won’t only make the fans feel good, but hopefully our talented Scotland teams will feel how much we believe in them”, say’s Maureen Farrell, a senior member of the Dumfries Community Choir.
It’s not until around the 3 minute mark that this song really grabs your attention as a Tartan Army anthem. Like a light switch from the ballad we’ve been fed so far, ‘Go On Yourself‘ secures it’s position as a football anthem worthy of a good sing-along. Piper Craig Weir really shines picking up the pace of this track in a way that only the sound of bagpipes can. Crashing drums set the rhythm switch before the chorister chants of “go on yourself” set the stadium ready slogan for football fans to adopt.
Full of energy and jovial optimism, Hunter and McMustard have managed to produce (with the help of many others) a solid contender for Scotland’s EUFA European Championship campaign soundtrack. It’s not going to replace any of the fan favourites (‘We’ll Be Coming‘, ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie‘) but it certainly serves a good chance of catching on the Tartan Army‘s playlist.
‘Go On Yourself’ by Hunter & McMustard and Dumfries & Galloway Community Choir featuring The Laurette’s and piper Craig Weir is out now on Button Up Records
Song Credits:
John McMustard – vocals
Colin Hunter-vocals & guitar
Gordy Duncan – drums
Stevie Black – bass
Garry McFadden – banjo
Alistair Edwards(The Creative Martyrs) – cello
Lynette Beatton(The Laurettes) – fiddle
Craig Weir – bagpipes
Dumfries Community Choir directed by Gary Cameron
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