'Put ’Em Under Pressure' was the official anthem of Ireland’s national football team during their historic 1990 FIFA World Cup campaign in Italy. The song was produced by Larry Mullen Jr. of U2, a passionate supporter of Irish football, who co-wrote it as a tribute to the team’s World Cup journey. The track became instantly iconic, blending Irish rock, folk, and football culture into a unifying anthem.

The haunting vocals at the song’s opening were provided by Moya Brennan of Clannad, while the guitar riff was lifted from Horslips’ Dearg Doom, itself adapted from the Irish traditional melody “O’Neill’s Cavalry March.” This riff gave Put ’Em Under Pressure a driving, anthemic quality rooted in Irish heritage. The track also integrated the football chant “Olé, Olé, Olé,” adding a universal stadium feel, alongside snippets of manager Jack Charlton’s voice, lending a personal touch that Irish fans could rally behind.

The recording process famously involved Irish fans, with the “Windmill Carpark Choir” lending their voices for the chorus—a nod to the deep connection between the fans and the team. Released under the Son label, part of U2’s Mother Records, Put ’Em Under Pressure topped the Irish charts for 13 weeks, cementing its place in Irish music history. Its popularity was so profound that it held the longest-charting single record in Ireland until the release of Riverdance in 1994.

Today, Put ’Em Under Pressure endures as a cultural touchstone, symbolising a golden era of Irish sport and capturing a spirit of national pride and unity. It remains a beloved anthem, played during major sporting events and a reminder of Ireland’s collective passion for both football and heritage."