Ever since Nottingham Forest secured their promotion in May, it’s been party time in the city.
No party is complete without the perfect playlist, of course, and we’re here to bring you the essential 2022/23 Forest tracks.
There’s fan favourites, local acts and all the traditional overtures too, so let’s get into them…
Let’s kick off with the essentials. Just Can’t Get Enough became an infectious hit at the City Ground last season as the wins racked up under Steve Cooper, and was the song of choice when fans sneaked a massive speaker into Ewood Park after their game against Blackburn Rovers.
The tune’s iconic synthesisers are sure to bring fond memories of last season, but will also have Forest fans jumping for every win in the Premier League too.
This 1977 work by Paul McCartney and his Wings bandmates was quickly adopted in Forest’s glory days in the late 70s, and has remained a pre-match staple ever since.
‘City Ground, oh mist rolling in from the Trent’ is the most important chant you’ll need while in Nottingham, and after some particularly spine-tingling renditions in the FA Cup and Championship Play-Offs last year, it draws all the local pride out of the Forest faithful.
Cheesy, I know, but that’s what we love about Paper Lace. There was a strange time in the mid-to-late ‘70s when the band had hit after hit despite being absolutely naff, and being devout Forest fans, they penned this cult favourite version of the classic campfire tune.
Mentioning each member of the playing squad at the time, it’s a real throwback and a massive smile-inducing song to have on the playlist.
Time to pick up the intensity now, with Nottingham’s very own Jake Bugg. ‘Lightning Bolt’, the big hit from his self-titled debut album, is perfect as an air-punching energy raiser.
Just ignore the fact Bugg is a Notts County fan, and you’ll have a great time with this one.
Here’s a diehard Forest fan at the top of his game right now, with D&B master Bru-C releasing ‘No Excuses’ in April 2022.
A regular at The City Ground when he’s not off touring the globe, Bru-C has managed to retain his roots and has earned his place on any essential Forest playlist.
No matter the time period, this tune is bound to lift your spirits and inspire a hearty belief in your team.
Robin Hood is of course the personification of Nottingham, and it’s only natural that the locals hold him close to their heart. This 1955 TV tune is the memory of a generation and it’s fitting on any matchday in this neck of the woods.
Forest fans’ affiliation with this big 1960s ballad is one of those wonderfully bizarre stories of football fandom.
The story goes that a group of fans heard the song at a wedding, and a day later, on an away day in Southampton in 1989, they got all the supporters joining in.
Whatever the story behind it, Forest fans today love it and it’s a key part to any match day.
As well as being an elite tune for a good old knees up, Jeff Beck’s 1967 classic doubles up as a chance to diss old rivals Derby County.
‘Hi Ho, we hate Derby…’ goes the chant on the terraces, and you can choose yourself which version you prefer pre-game.
A more modern pick for you, and this is just an unbeatable tune to get hyped for a matchday.
Brighton-based DJ Endor sampled from a 2004 hit of the same name from Belgian artist Danzel, and the result was a banger that hasn’t taken long to be adopted by sports stadia across the globe.
To finish off, we have the song that soundtracked Forest’s Play-Off Final win over Huddersfield Town in May when played by fans at full-time.
It’s become an anthem of relief at the end of 23 years away from the big time, and will be a big tune all season as the Tricky Trees find their footing back in the Premier League.
Featured Image Credit: Joe Gilligan