Villa songs

[Nev]

I love "The Bells", my favourite memory is us belting it out at Anfield just before Dean Sarnders scored. I always try and get it going but to no avail.

Funnily enough a couple of us sang it as we walked down the steps on the way out of the UH on Sunday, this was just after someone else sang a solo rendition of the "Holte End Smiles". Apparently Peter Drury mentioned both songs in his commentary for Sky during the match, none of us would've heard that at the time so it was a bit spooky....

[algy]

It's a shame TBAR has sort of died out as it was one of my favourite songs when I started going to Villa.  HEITS is also uniquely ours, but wouldn't want it anthem-ised.  Also like the very slow version of Villa/Amazing Grace.

Again, not an anthem but I can't think of another side that sings it - the occasional renditions of "We'll Meet Again", I thought were absolute class - especially, I think, when Forest last went down - they were absolutely bloody awful, their fans seemed to be taking it much like ours did in the relegation season ... it was just a kind of non-gloating song that marked us out from the riff-raff.

No nostalgia for TFAUSM - I know it, but I've never heard it played at a game and in honesty I don't think I care for it any more than any other Villa pre-match song.  Like Crazy Train, though, think we should stick with that.  I don't mind Hi Ho Silver Lining.  My daughter absolutely loved it when she went, was singing "Hi Ho ASTON VILLA" at pretty much anyone who'd listen, which was particularly nice as my partner's side of the family are all Manchester United supporters and had been trying to convince her down their sick, depraved path.

[Ads]

Roll Along Aston Villa, roll along got an airing in Warsaw.

[Scratchins]

I've just realised that I got my songs mixed up, When you're smiling suits us better just now. 

[cdward]

Yes, TBAR and When you're smiling (the Holte End smiles with you),  were both referenced by the commentator during Sundays win over W Ham.
I figured he must have been talking about them with someone before the game.

[Drummond]

There was a campaign about this about a decade ago.

https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2011/04/08/check-out-new-version-of-classic-bells-are-ringing-anthem


The bells are ringing for the claret and blue
The fans are singing for the claret and blue.
Everybody is knowing, to the Villa they’re going.
Where the Villa are showing.
We’re the best in the land. Best in the land!!!

We’re congregating for the claret and blue.
The Holte End’s waiting for the claret and blue.
Everybody is knowing, to the Villa they’re going.
Where the Villa are showing.
We’re the best in the land. Best in the land!!!

[Risso]

Some things are best left in the past. In fact, The Bells are Ringing is best taken out to sea, and dumped in the Mariana trench. And then concreted over, just in case.

[Axl Rose]

Some things are best left in the past. In fact, The Bells are Ringing is best taken out to sea, and dumped in the Mariana trench. And then concreted over, just in case.

😂

[PeterWithesShin]

Bells is a proper old school Villa song and most of us of a certain age have fond memories of it. Not sure how well it works in 2023 though.

[ChicagoLion]

Some things are best left in the past. In fact, The Bells are Ringing is best taken out to sea, and dumped in the Mariana trench. And then concreted over, just in case.

You prefer “ we even conquered Europe in 1982” which definitely deserves the taking behind the barn and shooting.
At least TBAR is a Villa song.

[Mister E]

After the mismanaged attempt by the club some years ago can I make a request to revive The Bells Are Ringing? I don’t think that any song sums us up better now than “the Holte End smiles with you”. It contains neither swearing nor reference to any other team so would be acceptable to all, whatever age and the words are easy to pick up. I am certainly smiling now.

Aren't you referring to two different songs there?
1. 'The Bells are ringing for the C & B' is one song, which ends with the line "we're the best in the land (best in the land)"
2. The song which ends "the Holte End smiles with you (lala lala la)" starts with "When you're smiling, when you're smiling" and is an old Sinatra song (lyrics below)

Back in the 1970's both were sung with gusto and both were pretty Villa-unique.



When you're smilin', when you're smilin'
The whole world smiles with you
When you're laughin', when you're laughin'
The sun comes shinin' through
But when you're cryin', you bring on the rain
So stop that cryin', be happy again
Keep on smilin', 'cause when you're smilin'
The whole world smiles with you
When you're smilin', when you're smilin'
The whole world, it smiles with you
When you're laughin', oh babe, when you're laughin'
The sun would-a come shining through
But when you're cryin', you bring on the rain
So stop that sighin', come on and be happy again
Keep on smilin', 'cause when you're smilin', baby
The whole world smiles with you

[ChicagoLion]

I remember the words “ we’re winning again” as it was often sang after we had scored.
And, “ The Holte  End smiles with you”

[Aldridge Villa]

A trip to the seaside and taking a walk along the prom is long overdue !

[LeeB]

A trip to the seaside and taking a walk along the prom is long overdue !

Oh yes, a long lost favourite.

[darren woolley]

Bells is a proper old school Villa song and most of us of a certain age have fond memories of it. Not sure how well it works in 2023 though.

Spot on.