Is Hey Jude about to become the song of the summer? Downloads for Beatles classic jump 19% after golden boy Jude Bellingham's Euro 2024 heroics - amid calls to make it new football anthem
Downloads for 'Hey Jude' have jumped 19% after golden boy Jude Bellingham's heroics in the first match of the Euros 2024.
It comes as PM Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer urged the nation to sing the 1968 Beatles' classic following England's 1-0 win against Serbia on Sunday.
England's No. 10 gave the team a winning start to the tournament after firing a header from Bukayo Saka's cross in the 13th minute of the game.
The midfielder is considered one of the best players in the world at just 20-years-old and has just finished a stellar season with Real Madrid, recently lifting the Champions League trophy.
Thousands of England fans could be heard belting out the tune in his honour on Sunday night as they celebrated the victory.
And music site Spotify has said downloads of The Beatles song have shot up 19% overnight, according to The Sun.
Jude Bellingham (pictured) during the England vs Serbia match on Sunday night
Fans of England celebrate victory after the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match
Sir Paul McCartney of The Beatles plays at the Manchester Co-Op Live arena on December 14 and 15
The Prime Minister has urged England fans to sing Hey Jude rather than the '10 German bombers' chant which has upset some of the German locals.
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'Ten German bombers' - sung to the tune of 'If You're Happy and You Know It' - refers to German casualties in the Second World War.
German police warned supporters 'don't be a d***!' while the FA has written a hardline letter saying fans risk having their tickets taken away if they fail to behave appropriately.
The song has regularly been heard at England matches, including their recent 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
There are fears that it could be frequently heard at the Euros and despite the warning of German authorities, they are powerless to stop it.
Chief of Police Peter Both said in an interview with the Telegraph: 'It's not punishable in Germany. I hope that all the other peaceful and law-abiding fans say to them: 'Stop it'.
Bellingham (pictured) is considered one of the best players in the world at just 20-years-old and has just finished a stellar season with Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham hugs Head Coach of England Gareth Southgate in action during the 2024 European Football Championship
'I know, and all people in Germany know, there is a long-lasting sporting rivalry between England and Germany. But it's important for me to say it's only a sporting one. Our countries have been, and remain, allies for over seven decades.'
Speaking from a gas rig in the North Sea, Rishi Sunak said: 'It's great to see England get our Euros campaign off to a winning start, the whole country is behind them to go all the way.
'And when it comes to the chants specifically, I agree (with) what Gareth Southgate has said about that chant in the past, and what we want is to represent the best of our country at these tournaments.
'And that means more goals for Jude Bellingham and more singing of Hey Jude.'
Labour leader Keir Starmer agreed with the Prime Minister and told The Sun: 'What better way of celebrating our new wonderkid Bellingham than belting out the classic Hey Jude?'
He added: 'Our songs should be about backing the players on the pitch rather than anything else.'