Marching On Together

"Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!" (commonly known as "Marching On Together") is the name of the anthem of Leeds United written by Les Reed and Barry Mason.[2] The vocals on the original recording were sung by the 1972 team members of the Leeds United and their supporters. The record stayed in the UK Singles Chart for almost three months, peaking at number 10.[3]

"Leeds, Leeds, Leeds (Marching on Together)"
Single by Leeds United FC
A-side"Leeds United"
Released1972
1992 (12" remix)
16 May 2010 (re-released)[1]
Recorded1972
GenrePop
Length2:22
LabelChapter 1 (original release), Rebecca Music
Songwriter(s)Les Reed, Barry Mason

The song is played just before kick-off and the start of the second half at every home game at Elland Road and it is a ritual for every Leeds United fan to stand up and sing when it is played.

The song has also been used by supporters of other Leeds-based sports teams, such as the Leeds Rhinos rugby league team.

Background

The song was released in 1972 as the B-side of the record released by Leeds United to coincide with the team reaching the 1972 FA Cup Final, the A-side being titled "Leeds United".[2] Unlike many football songs that are just new words set to existing music, "Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!" is an original composition by Les Reed and Barry Mason.[2] The song has since become a club anthem regularly sung by the fans.

In the modern age, it has become a regular way for Leeds United fans to demonstrate their allegiance to finish text messages, emails, or Twitter messages with the acronym/hashtag MOT.

An official club magazine, Leeds, Leeds, Leeds, which was published from 1998 to 2011, was named after the original title of the song.

After Leeds' promotion back to the Championship in May 2010, the song was digitally re-mastered and re-released in an effort to get the song into the UK Singles Chart. The song charted at number 10 on 23 May 2010. The next week it dropped to number 112, the second-largest drop in UK singles chart history. It is also one of only four singles which have dropped out of the Top 75 from number 10 after one week.

Supporters of other Leeds-based sports teams, such as the Leeds Rhinos rugby league team, also sing the song. The only part of the song that is removed in these alternative versions is the first four lines, which contain 'Leeds United' twice, as 'United' obviously does not apply to these teams. Leeds' ultimate frisbee team, LeedsLeedsLeeds, were also named after the song and club magazine.

Fans' variations

Parts of the current version of the song have varied in form from the original one. The fans usually add the "na na na na na na" and mimic the song where there are no words, though some fans have replaced this part controversially by clapping. Another way the fans have changed the song is by commonly repeating the "ups and downs" part following it being sung. In addition, some fans have added in the repetition of 'altogether' after it is sung in the main song as well.

"Glory Glory Leeds United" (to the tune of "Glory Glory Hallelujah") is a completely different song from "Leeds United" which like "Leeds Leeds Leeds" is an original composition by Reed/Mason. All tracks are available on the CD Marching On Together, Leeds United Greatest Hits, which can be purchased.

The song was re-released in 2010 via a social networking group, after an idea by Dave Whittaker, from Roundhay in Leeds, who also designed the sleeve for the CD Marching on Together, Leeds United Greatest Hits.

In 2012, fans of the Minnesota Twins adapted the lyric (replacing 'Leeds United' with 'Minnesota', and 'Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!' with 'Twins! Twins! Twins!') to support the Major League Baseball team.[4]

Chart performance

"Leeds, Leeds, Leeds (Marching on Together)" entered the Irish Singles Chart on 20 May 2010 at number 41 and charted in the UK Singles Chart on 23 May 2010 at number 10.

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[5] 41
UK Singles (OCC)[6] 10

References
  1. "iTunes – Music – Leeds, Leeds, Leeds (Marching On Together) – Single by Leeds United Team & Supporters". iTunes. January 1972. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  2. Irwin, Colin (2006). Sing When You're Winning. Andre Deutsch. p. 240. ISBN 978-0233001845.
  3. "Leeds United". OfficialCharts.com. 29 April 1972. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  4. Weber, Tom (6 April 2012). "A new Twins anthem for opening day". The Daily Circuit. Minnesota Public Radio. Archived from the original on 8 April 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  5. "Chart Track: Week 20, 2010". Irish Singles Chart.
  6. "Leeds United Team & Supporters: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
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