The manmarkers...two piss artists fuelled by a heady mix of patriotism and nationalistic derision who, combined, attempted to create the greatest contradictory sport anthem of modern times. A popular music enigma, the song was a gift to every music-loving football fan who had a passion for their home country...England.
In creating Red, White & Blue, The Manmarkers had brought to the world a sporting chanson (French word) of cultural significance so iconic that it went unnoticed by Brexiters and liberals alike, predominantly due to the fact that it was both ahead of its time, and provided such a powerfully prophetic narrative that people just weren’t ready for it; like the musical equivalent of the Sinclair C5.
How it evaded the popular charts is anybody’s guess, however, based on its hastily hashed together production, equally slapdash mix and no real marketing effort, it’s a minor miracle it got off the ground at all. But following its release, its reach proliferated exponentially to a minimum of twenty five devoted listeners, and was heralded on mainstream radio worldwide from Riviera Radio in southern France to Surrey Hills Radio in the UK. It went fucking massive. Not the BBC admittedly, but you know...it’s who you know.
Love it or hate it, the track has something about it. It is packed with raw, energetic and emotional storytelling, is literally littered with historical references, and features performances from two of the least known, dubiously toned rap artists in the industry; both ageing, both dads, both twats.
While men of a similar age were focussing on their careers, these two were focussing on the rhythmical quality of the word ‘dalmation’ and their ability to slur their way through a dubiously written rap narrative at breakneck speed (simultaneously sinking a bottle of Jameson’s and stopping periodically to blast through a few Marlboros). One take, two takes, and so on. By the fifty fifth take it was anybody’s guess as to whether the production would actually reach completion. But being the consummate professionals they are, complete it they did.
And do the results speak for themselves? They sure do. But don’t just sit there and take my poetic word for it, put some effort in for Christ’s sake...head over to Spotify and listen to Red, White & Blue by The Manmarkers for yourself...
