Wayne Rooney’s Pre-Match Playlist

Well this is not what I was expecting.

England’s star striker and late in life hair-growing expert Wayne Rooney took the pitch for the first time in the Euro 2012 tournament today (and scored a goal to boot), but before he did he tweeted out his pre-match playlist. It wasn’t exactly a classic pump-up mix.

1. “Real Gone Kid” — Deacon Blue

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZHTI31XuQxk.

This song is about as ’80s pop/rock as it gets. And truthfully it’s not a terrible way to start a pump up mix, if that’s what you’re into. It’s a synthy, moderate tempo song, that builds but never explodes. But that’s okay, it’s the first track. you want to ease into your music-induced adrenaline rush. Don’t want to peak too early.

Source: youtube.com

2. “Riot Van” — Arctic Monkeys

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=j052-ROwPFM.

Huh. Well this is a weird choice. The Arctic Monkeys definitely have a few songs that would work on a punp-up mix (“I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” comes to mind), but this one? Sitting at my computer, I could literally feel myself mellowing out. My head began to fall back as I zoned out. Kevin Lincoln had to hit me in the face.

Source: youtube.com

3. “Maybe Tomorrow” — Stereophonics

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CaT86mk9gj8.

This is even mellower than “Riot Van.” What’s happening here? Does Wayne Rooney nap right before the game? Is that what we’re supposed to take away from this? Is that how he got that totally natural, luscious hair to start growing after years of baldness? Do the follicles respond well to eyes-closed grooving? They must right.

Source: youtube.com

4. “It’s My Life” — Bon Jovi

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=vx2u5uUu3DE.

I can’t believe I’m saying this about a Bon Jovi song, but here goes: THAT’S MORE LIKE IT! Now this is a terrible song. It literally has the lyric: “like Frankie said, ‘I did it my way!’” That’s atrocious. But at least it resembles a classic “pump-up” song. Screaming sing-a-long chorus? Check. Up-tempo? Check. Saving Wayne Rooney’s mix from totally putting you to sleep? Check.

Source: youtube.com

5. “Champagne Supernova” — Some Cover Band That Isn’t Oasis

I’m sorry to use Spotify’s embed here (thus requiring you all to have Spotify to listen to it), but this is too absurd not to hear it as Wayne intended it. He doesn’t have Oasis’s version of Champagne Supernova on this playlist, he has some random cover band’s version. Now I’m not sure if in England Oasis is not on Spotify, but here in America they are, which makes this selection hilarious.

Also WHAT IS THIS SONG DOING HERE? When was the last time you listened to an Oasis song and wanted to punch something? Never. (Unless you’re one of the Gallagher brothers. Then literally every time.)

6. “Father And Son” — Cat Stevens

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q29YR5-t3gg.

Sorry, I can’t even write this section because I’m so sad. BRB calling my dad. (And not because I want to tell him how pumped up I am.)

Source: youtube.com

7. “Delicate” — Damien Rice

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=dRPwFAoQwxc.

This is the musical equivalent of a whisper. And not a scary, “I see dead people” whisper, but a “I’ve loved you for so long and I need you to know it” sweet nothing of a whisper.

Source: youtube.com

8. “Up” — James Morrison & Jessie J

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=LWgQ-wiPls4.

Fake Jim Morrison and Adele’s classmate sing a sad song trying to convince their lover to turn their lives around. At least it has the idea of “turning things around” which can pretty easily be applied to sports. Personally I prefer my inspiring songs to not sound like howling animals over soft-rock. But you know that’s me.

Source: youtube.com

9. “Tears in Heaven” — Eric Clapton

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=VRsJlAJvOSM.

Are you fucking kidding me, Wayne? This has to be a joke. Where are the cameras? Am I on some terrible British version of Punk’d (that actually probably came out before our terrible version of Punk’d)?

Source: youtube.com

10. “Streets Of Philadelphia” — Bruce Springsteen

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4z2DtNW79sQ.

WHAT?!? WAYNE, THIS SONG IS ABOUT AIDS. HOW DOES IT INSPIRE YOU TO PLAY BETTER FOOTBALL?!

Source: youtube.com

11. “Doesn’t Really Matter” — The Hummingbirds

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=wOvrlXZ8i8k.

This is a pretty enjoyable song, but is it the last thing you want to hear if you’re about to go play an International sporting event? I mean, I know it is if you’re Wayne Rooney, but what if you’re just a regular, sane person?

Source: youtube.com

What does Wayne Rooney think of my criticism?

My working theory:

Wayne Rooney is known for being a hothead and a thug on the field. In fact he missed the first two games of the Euro for a red card he received for excessive violence. So, while the rest of us would need to pump ourselves up to be ready for a game, Wayne actually needs to pump himself down. If Wayne Rooney listened to, say, “Eye Of The Tiger” or DMX’s “Party Up” he’d be liable to murder someone on the pitch. So unless you’re a person who’s susceptible to rage blackouts, this playlist would be better used putting you to sleep than preparing you for athletic battle.

Image by SERGEI SUPINSKY / Getty Images