PureList: Six Nations of Sound – A Playlist for Rugby Lovers

It’s one of the biggest events on the rugby sporting calendar, and we’ve been gripped by all the action so far at the Six Nations Championship! To commemorate the annual contest, we’re taking this month’s PureList on a road trip around Europe – as we celebrate the exceptional musical talent from across the six participating countries. To whet your appetite, we’ve got rock gods, operatic maestros and a diva or two. Check out our favourites below and then turn up our Spotify playlist to commence your musical tour!

U2 – Beautiful Day (Ireland)

Ask any music fan to say the first Irish artist they can think of and chances are it will be U2. Formed in Dublin in 1976, this iconic group quickly enraptured a global audience with their brand of swaggering, stadium-filling rock. A worthy flagbearer for the Irish music scene, U2 have sold an estimated 150-170 million albums worldwide and hold the record for the band with the most Grammy wins at 22. And if Ireland go on to take the Six Nations title, you can be sure of a Beautiful Day for the Emerald Isle.

Andrea Bocelli – Con te Partirò (Italy)

Much like most of Italy’s finest musical exports, Andrea Bocelli is rightly considered a legend of classical music. In fact, the operatic tenor is the genre’s best-selling living artist with record sales of over 80 million and a portfolio of crossover collaborations with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Celine Dion and Dua Lipa. Despite completely losing his sight at the age of 12, the virtuoso is a powerful example of someone who has defied the odds to inspire the world with his beautiful artistry.  

Shirley Bassey – Diamonds Are Forever (Wales)

A fitting representative for the incumbent Six Nations champions, Cardiff-born singer Shirley Bassey became the first Welsh person to earn a number one single in January 1959. Known most for recording a trio of James Bond theme songs, including the breath-taking Diamonds Are Forever, Bassey’s powerful, timeless vocal performances have earned her the reputation as one of Britain’s most formidable female solo artists.

Queen – We Are The Champions (England)

Of all the countries competing in the tournament, it’s hard to deny England’s supremacy when it comes to musical talent. There’s plenty of legendary acts to choose from, but with the vision of We Are The Champions blasting out as the victors hold aloft the Six Nations trophy, we just had to go for Queen! And with countless more hits to their name, inspiring following generations of musical stars, it’s no surprise that the Freddie Mercury fronted rockers are one of the world’s best-selling bands.

Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved (Scotland)

Despite Scotland’s humble size, it’s a nation steeped with musical heritage and promise. Leading the charge for a breakthrough generation of homegrown talent is 23-year-old singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi. As well as causing a stir with his hilarious social media antics, the Scot’s phenomenal vocal talent has seen him catapult into the global limelight. He’s already made history, becoming the first Scottish solo artist since 1981 to secure a US number one single. Can the nation’s rugby team follow suit with an equally impressive accolade?

Daft Punk – Get Lucky (France)

While the robots of Daft Punk like to keep their human appearance a mystery, their iconic helmets are one of the most recognisable images in music. Formed in Paris, the electronic duo have garnered acclaim across three decades for their innovative, ever-changing sound. As Daft Punk’s 2013 smash hit goes, France’s rugby stars will certainly hope to Get Lucky on their conquest for the illustrious Six Nations trophy!

If you want to listen to these amazing tunes any time and any place, then we’ve got you with the Spotify playlist below. Enjoy on the amazing DiscovR smart speaker or stream via Bluetooth and Spotify Connect on our smart radios, digital radios or in-car adapters.

For more great playlists, follow us on Spotify by finding us here!