"Don't Mention the World Cup", also titled "Don't Mention the War",[1] is a 2006 song written by Dean Whitbread and Ashley Slater[2] and performed by The First Eleven with John Cleese.[3] Released to coincide with the 2006 FIFA World Cup, it was intended to dissuade supporters of the England national football team from referring to the Second World War while in Germany for the tournament.[4]

History

The song references Cleese's Fawlty Towers character Basil Fawlty's line in "The Germans" episode: "Don't mention the war. I did but I think I got away with it".[4] Cleese released this song as a way to try and change English feelings towards Germans[5] and to move people away from associating Germans with the Second World War.[6] Cleese recorded his lines for the song as Basil Fawlty.[7] German authorities supported the song as a way to dissuade supporters of the England and Australia national football teams from displaying Nazi symbols or gestures during the World Cup.[4] The song was also intended to get England fans to refrain from using rude words towards Germans.[1]

The song also made an allusion to comedian Stan Boardman's German jokes with the line, "They bombed our chip shops". Boardman, who also wrote a World Cup song, "Stan's World Cup Song", stated that he felt Cleese's use of his joke was "very cheeky" and didn't believe that Cleese had a chip shop in his hometown of Weston-Super-Mare.[8]

Reception

"Don't Mention the World Cup" was released on 12 June 2006; however, it failed to chart in the UK Singles Charts.[9] The song was also criticised in 3:AM Magazine, which gave it two stars and stated that "Cleese's flat delivery is Fawlty".[10] Nonetheless, despite lack of UK chart success, press and television coverage was generally favourable.[11] The song was featured on ITV News in a segment on football violence.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 Sherwin, Adam. "Don't mention the War, says Cleese in World Cup peace bid". The Times (archived at Wayback Machine). Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  2. ↑ "The First Eleven's 'Don't Mention the World Cup' song". Funk.co.uk. 9 April 2006. Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  3. ↑ "Don't mention the cup". Chortle. 2 May 2006. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 "Soccer fans learn World Cup etiquette according to Cleese". ABC. 19 May 2006. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  5. ↑ All Things Considered. "Hooligans No More: Cleese's World Cup Decorum". NPR. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  6. ↑ Smith, Laura (6 June 2006). "Can Germany escape its war past?". BBC News. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  7. ↑ Kevin Dixon (8 January 2013). "The Fawlty Towers Legacy". Torquay Herald Express. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "NewsBriefs: CHIPS ARE DOWN FOR STAN'S SONG; Comic's delight as hero Cleese uses famous line. - Free Online Library". Liverpool Echo (archived at The Free Library). 6 May 2006. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "Sing For England". England Football Online. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "3AM: MUSIC SCORES". 3:AM Magazine (archived at The Free Library). 6 June 2006. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  11. ↑ "Small Pictures Press". Small Pictures Ltd. 13 June 2006. Archived from the original on 13 July 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  12. ↑ "itv_news_13.6.06.mov". Small Pictures Ltd. 13 June 2006. Archived from the original on 13 July 2006. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
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