The Ultimate England World Cup 1990 Semi Final Playlist

11 July 2018, 12:26 | Updated: 12 July 2018, 11:51

Let’s cast our minds back to 1990, when England made the semi-finals of Italia 90 - can we go one better in the World Cup 2018? Turn up these classic tunes from the summer of 1990 to inspire you!

1. The Charlatans - The Only One I Know

   Northwich’s finest had their first hit in the summer of 1990 and launched a million indie discos in the process.

   

   The Charlatans - The Only One I Know

2. Inspiral Carpets - She Comes In The Fall

   The Oldham psych-rock legends played a huge gig at Manchester’s G-Mex in July 1990 when this single was in the charts of the highlights.

   

   Inspiral Carpets - She comes in the fall

3. Happy Mondays - Step On

   Baggy classic form Shaun Ryder and Bez which was still hovering in the charts as Italia 90 got underway - this put the Mondays into the big league.

   

   Happy Mondays - Step On

4. The Stone Roses - One Love

   A standalone single following the release of Fool’s Gold, this was the last we’d hear of the legendary Manchester band for four years.

   

   The Stone Roses - One Love

5. Pop Will Eat Itself - Touched By The Hand Of Cicciolina

   New Order weren’t the only indie band that made a record for Italia 90 - the Brummie guitar/hip hop outfit made this tribute to the Italian porn star and politician as a bid to get her to present the World Cup trophy to the winner. Guess what? She didn’t.

   

   Pop Will Eat Itself - Touched By The Hand Of Cicciolina

6. Saint Etienne - Only Love Can Break Your Heart

   Brilliant Neil Young cover by the London act - the B-side was titled "The Official Saint Etienne World Cup Theme".

   

   Only Love Can Break Your Heart - Saint Etienne

7. MC Tunes Vs 808 State - The Only Rhyme That Bites

   Tunes was a Manchester rapper and joined forces with the city’s pioneering homegrown house act for this frenetic tune that later appeared on the soundtrack to the Simon Pegg movie. The World’s End.

   

   808 State The Only Rhyme That Bites - Music Video 1990

8. Depeche Mode - Policy Of Truth

   One of the more underrated tracks from the classic Mode album Violator, released as a single in the hot summer of 1990.

   

   Depeche Mode - Policy Of Truth (Video)

9. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Taste The Pain

   Funky deep cut from the Chili Peppers, released as a single from the Mother’s Milk album.

   

   Red Hot Chili Peppers - Taste the Pain (Official Music Video)

10. The Farm - Stepping Stone

    Before Altogether Now, the Liverpool lads covered The Monkees and gave it a baggy upgrade. TUNE.

    

    The Farm - Stepping Stone (1990)

11. The Grid - Flotation

    Classic British house tune from Dave Ball, formerly with pop duo Soft Cell. Chill Out before Chill Out was an actual thing.

    

    Grid - Floatation (HQ Official Video)

12. Paris Angels - All On You (Perfume)

    Massive, massive indie club tune from this Manchester outfit, Shades of New Order.

    

    paris angels - perfume

13. Northside - Shall We Take A Trip?

    Another Factory band from Manchester, this moody indie tune still has many fans. We think there may be drugs references within this song?

    

    Northside - Shall We Take A Trip (12")

14. Adamski - Killer

    Adam Tinley spent four weeks at Number 1 with this house tune, thanks to a soulful vocal from singer Seal.

    

    ADAMSKI - Killer

15. EnglandNewOrder - World In Motion

    Of course. Read the full story of World In Motion here.

    

    New Order - World In Motion (Official Music Video)