Leeds United (song)

"Leeds United" was a single released by the English football team Leeds United in 1972, as the official song for their appearance in the Centenary FA Cup Final. It reached number 10 in the UK Singles Chart.^[1] Its B-side was the better known song "Leeds Leeds Leeds", also known as "Marching On Together".

"Leeds United" had new lyrics written by Les Reed, to the tune of "Sally Sunshine", a song originally written by Reed with Geoff Stephens. "Sally Sunshine" was recorded by the Mills Brothers for their 1972 What A Wonderful World album (Paramount, PAS 6024).^[2] It was also recorded in the German translation by Cliff Richard as "Wenn Du Lachst, Lacht das Gluck (Sally Sunshine)", released in Germany in August 1971 (Columbia Germany, 1C 006-04 903).^[3]

Lyrics

The lyrics to "Leeds United" celebrate the entire Leeds United team of the time. Manager Don Revie and the twelve players who are almost universally considered to be the quintessential "Revie team" are all mentioned. All long-serving players who had their greatest years at the club, they were all together at the club between 1969 and 1973.
There are twelve players, rather than the usual eleven, because Paul Madeley could, and would, replace any player, covering every position except goalkeeper over his 19-year, 700+ game career for the club.

First of all there's The Boss who's right behind us,

He's the one who fills our hearts with pride.

It's a joy to us all, when Big Jack has the ball

To know that he is on our side.

There's a red-headed tiger known as Billy

And he goes like a human dynamo.

Mick the Mover, of course, he can work like a horse

And Top Cat Cooper's always on the go.

And we play all the way for Leeds United.

Elland Road is the only place for us.

With heart and soul for the goal that's clearly sighted

We're out to toast each other from that silver cup.

You should see how he runs, Speedy Reaney,

When Iron Man Hunter sends him down the wing.

Well, The Brains is everywhere, doing more than his share.

Sniffer Clarke's always there to bang it in.

Proud and tall in the goalmouth stands The Viking

And The Eleven Pauls are never far away.

Lasher Lorimer, what a shot, and to tie them in a knot

Is Eddie "The Last Waltz" Gray.

And we play all the way for Leeds United.

Elland Road is the only place for us.

With heart and soul for the goal that's clearly sighted

We're out to toast each other from that silver cup.

FA Cup Final line-up

The actual team for the FA Cup Final, which Leeds United won, did not include either Gary "The Viking" Sprake or Terry "Top Cat" Cooper. Sprake was replaced by David Harvey in the run-up to the Cup Final, while Cooper broke his leg and was replaced by Paul Madeley.

References