Despite having a song called "The Stars Of Track And Field," back in the day, Belle And Sebastian's image was not especially athletic. The songs were for and about shy, bookish types, and frontman Stuart Murdoch's struggle with chronic fatigue syndrome is what led to him writing songs in the first place. Yet the band has evolved, and Murdoch, who used to run marathons before his health declined, was back to his racing ways by the time they made the "I'm A Cuckoo" video in 2004.
Still, they are not the first band I'd expect to write an anthem for their country's World Cup team. And yet ahead of the men's World Cup to be played in the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer, they've unveiled a new tune dedicated to Scotland's footballers.
B&S played the song for the first time Thursday at London's Royal Albert Hall. The band played two sets, first doing If You're Feeling Sinister straight through and then cycling through a smattering of catalog highlights. For the encore, they emerged with news that they'd written a song for Scotland's World Cup team called "It Only Takes One Lion." As Murdoch explained, "We were aiming for New Order with this one." Below, watch the song's debut performance, which involved Murdoch knocking a soccer ball around with a child onstage.
