Intertextual References

Three Lions - Lightning Seeds

This video by The Lightning Seeds is a clear example of how intertextual references are used in music videos. Although this song is a football song about the 1998 World Cup, the music video still has many intertextual references, which are there to make the audience feel nostalgic about past England football matches. The music video also references the Euro '96 song by the same band, as it has a very similar music video and the same tune, just with different lyrics. There are similar shots in each video, as in both there is the themes of the band watching the England team and the band re-enacting the matches.

The video itself starts by showing some of the band members watching the Euro '96 football match on TV, where England lose and are eliminated. They then start to sing about England and how there is still hope for them in this World Cup.


The video is intercut with real clips of
England matches

Throughout the video there are references to the previous England defeats, with the band watching previous clips on TV in the coach to France. The lyrics amplify what is being shown on screen:

"Ince ready for war, Gazza good as before, Shearer certain to score, and Psycho screaming"

The music video also shows various famous English stars (including Robbie Williams and Sir Geoff Hurst) at a football match between the English and German fans.

There are appearances from famous English people
such as Sir Geoff Hurst and Robbie Williams

At the end of the game, Skinner lifts a makeshift World Cup as the rest of the crowd cheer.

At the end, Baddiel and Skinner lift a makeshift
World Cup and celebrate