- 3:07 PM
- June 16, 2026
Bingkai Karya – Belle and Sebastian have ignited World Cup fever with their new song, “It Only Takes One Lion,” which they have put forward as Scotland’s anthem for the tournament. Written in the aftermath of Scotland’s 4–2 qualifying victory over Denmark, the song was first performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall as part of the band’s ongoing anniversary tour celebrating their classic albums ‘Tigermilk and If You’re Feeling Sinister.’
Inspired by the experiences of football fans and frontman Stuart Murdoch’s lifelong journey supporting the Scottish national team, “It Only Takes One Lion” begins as a hopeful anthem before evolving into a fast-paced pop-disco track enriched with sweeping strings. Capturing the excitement, anticipation, and emotional highs and lows that define football fandom, the song is infused with the wit and charm that have become hallmarks of Belle and Sebastian’s music.
Speaking to the Glasgow Herald about the track, Murdoch said: “Our song is definitely not the team’s official anthem. It’s actually a very personal song about following the triumphs and disappointments of the Scotland team over the past 50 years, and it simply poured out of me the day after the match against Denmark. It attempts to capture the experience of an entire nation supporting Scotland. The important thing is that we’re there. We’re there to celebrate, and as long as everyone gives their best, that’s really what matters.”
Belle and Sebastian continue their world tour this spring and summer in celebration of the 30th anniversaries of ‘Tigermilk and If You’re Feeling Sinister.’ The band will perform both iconic albums in full during a series of two-night engagements at historic venues across Europe, North America, Mexico, Australia, Singapore, and Japan.
Reflecting on the UK leg of the tour, The Times described the performances as: “A joyous five-star 30th anniversary celebration (…) this enchanting band has somehow managed to captivate a whole new generation.” Meanwhile, The Guardian praised the group, writing: “Stuart Murdoch and company cleverly bring their world of aesthetes and outsiders back to life.”
In 2024, Stuart Murdoch released his debut novel, ‘Nobody’s Empire,’ which The Guardian praised as “beautifully compelling.” The year before, Belle and Sebastian released “Late Developers,” the second of two back-to-back albums following A Bit of Previous (2022). The album fully embraced the band’s brightest qualities fresh, direct, and unmistakably Belle and Sebastian.
As Pitchfork noted: “‘Like If You’re Feeling Sinister,’ this near-immediate follow-up somehow surpasses its already highly acclaimed predecessor.”
Read more about the music here
