Football Crazy


"Football Crazy" is a song written by James Curran originally as "The Dooley Fitba' Club" in the 1880s. The song is the earliest-known football song, and later became a minor hit in the 1960s for Scots folk duo Robin Hall and Jimmie Macgregor.

Background

"Football Crazy" is derived from a song written by a songwriter from Glasgow, James Curran or Currin. It was originally written in the 1880s as "The Dooley Fitba' Club" and sung by J.C. M'Donald. The song is the earliest known football song. It was later adapted into "Fitba' Crazy" with lyrical changes. Ewan MacColl included a version of "Fitba' Crazy" in a collection of songs called Scotland sings published in 1953, and Personal choice by Ewan MacColl of Scottish folksongs and ballads in 1954. He also recorded the song for his album Scots Street Songs in 1956.
In 1959, the Scots folk duo Robin Hall and Jimmie Macgregor song released a single based on the MacColl's version. It then became a minor hit in the 1960s for the duo largely as a result of exposure on the BBC's Tonight programme.
The song has been covered by other singers, including Rolf Harris who released a single in 1966 to coincide with the World Cup held in England, and Adam McNaughtan on his 1988 album Words Words Words.

In popular culture

The phrase "football crazy" came into popular use during the 1960s, following the song's success, and was extended into the common phrase it is today, often paraphrased. Amongst other things, it has been the title of:
An instrumental tune written by Barry Stoller with influence from "Football Crazy" was used as the theme tune to BBC TV's "Match of the Day".