Manchester City: “Blue Moon”
"Blue moon, You saw me standing alone, Without a dream in my heart, Without a love of my own."
Key words
- Founded: to start or establish something, such as an organization, company, or club
Manchester City was founded in 1880 as St. Mark's.
- Rivals: teams or individuals who compete against each other
Manchester City’s main rivals are Manchester United.
- Anthem: a song that represents a particular group, organization, or country
"Blue Moon" is Manchester City's anthem.
- Lyrics: the words of a song
The lyrics of "Blue Moon" express loneliness and longing.
- Atmosphere: the mood or feeling created in a place or situation
The fans create an electric atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium.
Comprehension Questions
- When was Manchester City originally founded, and what was its first name?
- What is the Manchester Derby, and who are Manchester City's main rivals?
- Why did Manchester City fans start singing Blue Moon as their anthem?
- How do Manchester City fans typically sing Blue Moon at the start of matches?
The History of Manchester City
Manchester City FC is one of England’s most successful football clubs. It was founded in 1880 as St. Mark’s (West Gorton) and later became Manchester City in 1894. The club has had periods of success, but in recent years, they have become one of the dominant teams in world football, winning multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and the UEFA Champions League in 2023.
City plays at the Etihad Stadium, and their fans are known for their loyalty and passionate support. Their main rivals are Manchester United, and the Manchester Derby is one of the biggest matches in English football.
“Blue Moon”
Manchester City’s anthem, Blue Moon, is one of the most recognizable songs in English football. Originally written in 1934 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, Blue Moon was a romantic ballad about loneliness and love. However, Manchester City fans adopted Blue Moon as their anthem in the 1980s, but the exact origin is debated. Some believe a group of fans began singing it at away matches as a humorous and ironic song during a difficult period for the club.
At the time, Manchester City was struggling in the lower divisions, and the lyrics—about loneliness and longing—matched the emotions of the fans. Over time, the song became a tradition, with supporters singing it before every match. Unlike the original slow version, City fans often speed up the chant or add their own variations, making it a unique part of their matchday atmosphere.
Here, Liam and his band Beady Eye perform a special version of the City anthem Blue Moon before launching into their new single The Beat Goes On.
How to Sing Like a Man City Fan
If you go to the Etihad Stadium, you will hear thousands of fans singing Blue Moon in unison. The most common lyrics are:
"Blue moon,
You saw me standing alone,
Without a dream in my heart,
Without a love of my own."
City fans sing it slowly and loudly at the start of matches, creating an electric atmosphere. If you love football and want to improve your English, learning this chant is a great way to practice pronunciation while experiencing the passion of English football!
Practice your English with football fans from around the world!
Discussion questions
- Do you have any questions about any of the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
- Manchester City has become one of the most successful football clubs in recent years. What do you think makes a football team successful?
- What do you think makes people so passionate about supporting their teams?
- There are many famous football derbies around the world. Which ones do you know?
This article was written by Eddy
Improve your English communication skills by practicing with Eddy, a qualified and experienced native speaker.
