You’re standing in the Elland Road concourse, the smell of Bovril and rain-soaked concrete mixing with the hum of anticipation. The PA crackles. A few seconds later, the first chords hit—and suddenly 37,000 voices aren’t just singing; they’re vibrating through the stands. That moment isn’t random. It’s curated. It’s yours.
Building a Leeds United fan playlist isn’t just about throwing together a few chants you remember from the Kop. It’s about capturing the club’s DNA—the grit of the Don Revie era, the swagger of the Wilkinson years, the relentless press of a Daniel Farke side, and the raw emotion of a Yorkshire crowd that never, ever shuts up.
Here’s your checklist for crafting the essential Leeds United matchday playlist. No filler. Just the tracks that make the terraces shake.
Step 1: Start with the Anthems That Define Elland Road
Every Leeds playlist needs its spine. These are the songs that, when they hit, you physically cannot stay still. They’re the ones that turn a pre-match pint into a full-throated roar.
- "Marching on Together" – The official club anthem. Non-negotiable. This is the first track you play. It sets the tone: pride, defiance, and a promise that Leeds will never walk alone.
- "Glory, Glory Leeds United" – The terrace classic. If you’ve stood in the Kop during a late-season push, you know this one hits different when the stakes are high.
- "We Are the Champions" (Queen) – Play it after a big win or a survival-clinching draw. It’s cheeky, it’s bold, and it’s exactly the kind of audacity that defines a fanbase that’s been through the Championship grind and back.
Step 2: Layer in the Modern Matchday Bangers
Leeds United’s current Premier League campaign has its own soundtrack now. The squad plays with a high-energy pressing system under Farke. Your playlist should mirror that intensity.
- "B.O.T.A. (Baddest of Them All)" – Eliza Rose & Interplanetary Criminal – A terrace favourite from the 2022/23 season that’s stuck around. It’s relentless, it’s euphoric, and it’s perfect for the moment the team walks out.
- "Freed from Desire" – Gala – The “Dale, Dale, Dale” chant for key players? Yes, it’s a thing. Drop this when you want the crowd to chant a name.
- "Seven Nation Army" – The White Stripes – The global stadium anthem. Leeds fans have adopted it for big moments—especially when the team needs a lift in the second half.
| Moment | Track | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-match walkout | "Marching on Together" | Instantly recognisable, builds collective identity |
| After a goal | "B.O.T.A. (Baddest of Them All)" | High energy, easy to sing along to |
| Half-time reset | "Freed from Desire" | Keeps the mood positive, player-specific chants |
| Late-game push | "Seven Nation Army" | Creates a wall of sound that intimidates opponents |
| Full-time (win) | "We Are the Champions" | Celebrates the moment without overdoing it |
Step 3: Honour the History – The Revie and Wilkinson Eras
Leeds United isn’t just a 2020s story. The club’s top-flight titles are carved into the identity of the city. Don Revie built a team that was feared and admired. Howard Wilkinson brought a league title. Your playlist needs to nod to that legacy.
- "The Great Escape" – Elmer Bernstein – Yes, the theme from the film. It’s been a terrace staple for decades, especially during the Revie years. It’s not a song you sing—it’s a feeling you share.
- "You’ll Never Walk Alone" – Gerry and the Pacemakers – While associated with Liverpool, Leeds fans have their own version. It’s slower, more deliberate, and it’s played before every home match. Include it as a bridge between past and present.
- "Leeds, Leeds, Leeds" – The Leeds United Choir – A classic recording from the 1970s. It’s cheesy, it’s dated, and it’s absolutely essential. It reminds you that this club has been singing the same songs for generations.
Step 4: Add the Yorkshire Flavour – Local Tracks That Feel Like Home
Leeds is in West Yorkshire. The fan culture is distinct—proud, working-class, and unapologetically Northern. Your playlist should include tracks that feel like they belong to the city, not just the club.
- "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" – The Smiths – Morrissey might be controversial, but the song is a Leeds terrace favourite. It’s melancholic yet hopeful—a perfect match for a fanbase that’s seen relegation, promotion, and everything in between.
- "Dancing in the Moonlight" – Toploader – A crowd-pleaser that gets the whole stand bouncing. It’s not Leeds-specific, but it’s become a staple at Elland Road during the Farke era.
- "Yorkshire" – The Lancashire Hotpots – A humorous nod to the county rivalry. It’s not played at the stadium, but it’s a cult favourite among travelling fans.
Step 5: Weave in the Chants – The Unofficial Soundtrack
No Leeds playlist is complete without the chants that define the terraces. These aren’t songs you download—they’re moments you capture. But you can include recordings or fan-made versions.
- "We’re Leeds United, We’ll Never Be Defeated" – The ultimate rallying cry. It’s simple, it’s loud, and it’s sung at every match.
- "Daniel Farke’s Barmy Army" – A chant that emerged in recent seasons and stuck. It’s a nod to Farke’s track record and the belief he’s instilled.
- Player chants – Adapted from popular melodies, these are a Kop favourite for key squad members.
| Player | Chant | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Key striker | "Player Name, Player Name" | After a goal or a strong run |
| Key midfielder | "Player Name Runs Down the Wing" | When pressing or creating chances |
| Daniel Farke | "Daniel Farke’s Barmy Army" | Pre-match or after a big win |
| Other players | "Player Name, Player Name" | Simple, direct, effective |
Step 6: Sequence for the Matchday Arc
Your playlist shouldn’t be a random shuffle. It should mirror the emotional journey of a matchday: anticipation, intensity, release, and reflection.
- Pre-match (60–30 minutes before kick-off): Start slow. "Marching on Together," "Leeds, Leeds, Leeds," and "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out." Build the atmosphere gradually.
- Warm-up (30–0 minutes before kick-off): Increase the energy. "B.O.T.A.," "Freed from Desire," and "Seven Nation Army." This is when the crowd starts to roar.
- During the match: You can’t control the PA, but if you’re watching at home or at the pub, keep the chants ready. "We’re Leeds United" and "Daniel Farke’s Barmy Army" are your go-tos.
- Full-time (win): "We Are the Champions" and "The Great Escape." Let the euphoria sink in.
- Full-time (loss): "You’ll Never Walk Alone." It’s a reminder that the club is bigger than one result.
Step 7: Keep It Fresh – Update for the Season
The current Premier League season is a challenge for Leeds. The mood changes week to week. Your playlist should evolve.
- After a big win (like a derby or a relegation six-pointer): Add a new chant or a recent fan recording.
- During a tough run: Lean into the anthems. "Marching on Together" and "You’ll Never Walk Alone" become more powerful when the team needs support.
- End of season: If Leeds stay up, the playlist becomes a celebration of survival. If they go down, it becomes a tribute to the fight.
Your Leeds United Playlist Checklist
- Start with "Marching on Together"
- Include "Glory, Glory Leeds United" and "We Are the Champions"
- Add modern bangers: "B.O.T.A.," "Freed from Desire," "Seven Nation Army"
- Honour history: "The Great Escape," "You’ll Never Walk Alone," "Leeds, Leeds, Leeds"
- Add Yorkshire flavour: "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," "Dancing in the Moonlight"
- Include 3–5 chants (player-specific and general)
- Sequence for matchday arc (pre-match, warm-up, match, full-time)
- Update monthly based on form and fan mood
- Share on fan forums for feedback
A Leeds United playlist isn’t just background music. It’s a declaration. It says: We’ve been through the Championship, we’ve been through the Premier League, we’ve been through the dark days, and we’re still here, singing louder than ever.
Whether you’re in the Kop, at the pub, or listening on your commute, every track should remind you why you fell in love with this club in the first place. So go ahead—build your playlist, test it on matchday, and tweak it until it feels like home.
And if you’re stuck on where to start, drop into fan culture sections for more fan-created playlists and discussions. The community’s always got your back.
Now turn it up. Marching on together.
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