Wolf Alice, Self Esteem and Mel C team up for Lionesses’ World Cup anthem

A star-studded line-up that includes Mel C, Self Esteem, Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell and many more have teamed up to record a song for the England Women’s World Cup team. Listen to ‘Call Me A Lioness’ below.

The track, which comes ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicking off tomorrow, celebrates England’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 win and encourages them to go one better on the biggest football stage of all.

The unofficial anthem, which references the match-winning heroics of Chloe Kelly and Ella Toone in last year’s EUROs final, acts as an “unofficial” anthem after the FA stopped commissioning official songs after the Brazil World Cup in 2014.

Other artists including Olivia Dean (who co-wrote the song), Rachel Chinouriri, Marika Hackman, Shura and Sports Team drummer Al Greenwood have also come together for the track. It’s released under the name Hope FC – in tribute to the legendary former national team coach Hope Powell.

Mel C said: “It’s been amazing to see the popularity of women’s football grow and their incredible win last year was a huge inspiration for this new song for the world cup. I’m so privileged to be involved with a whole host of amazing female artists, cheering on our women’s team to bring it home again!”

Olivia Dean, who co-wrote the song with Glen Roberts, added: ““We wanted to make a song that gives girls a soundtrack to their pride of the Lionesses and of being a woman, and to unite everyone in that pride.

“Whenever I hear Call Me A Lioness I think about being in a beer garden singing it at the top of my lungs with my friends.”

Rebecca Lucy Taylor aka Self Esteem said: “I love the song so much! The Lionesses are the future and I am so proud and excited to get behind them this summer.”

Proceeds from sales and streams will be donated to charities that support grassroots girls and women’s football including Football Beyond Borders, Manchester Laces, Street Soccer London and Girls United.