Boogieing into a Battle of the Bands

Mark O’Neil of The Dirty Kilts hopes their version will be a hit with fans.

The Dirty Kilts, alias Mark O’Neil, Ross McCrosson and Scott Wilson, have released a version of Scotland’s adopted football song ‘Yes Sir, I can Boogie’.

However, due to seeking copyright permission the band had to delay the original launch date and missed out on being first to release, with the Fratellis claiming that particular honour.

The local band, who feel they offer fans a livelier version of the song and a better boogie compared with the Fratellis, is raising funds for the Tartan Army Children’s charity. Their song also features commentary from sports pundit Ian Crocker from Sky Sports.

Mark O’N eil said: “We couldn’t believe it when it was announced that the Fratellis had launched their own rendition.

"Although we have great respect for them, we were a bit gutted. But like Oasis and Blur, we’re sure there’s room for two versions. Hopefully the Tartan Army will get behind it as it’s all for a great cause”.

The musicians recorded the song individually during lockdown and it was then mixed in the studio with backing singing added by Mark’s girlfriend, Kellyann Starrs.

Mark added: “We were keen to add a bit of authenticity with the commentary and it took a while to get all the permissions we needed which led to the launch delay. But it was worth it, and we’re delighted with our version”.

The song can be downloaded and streamed from all major online platforms (iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, TIDAL) and all the bands income will be donated to the charity.

Derek Clark from the Tartan Army Children’s Charity said: “Tartan Army Children’s Charity (TACC) are hugely grateful to The Dirty Kilts for helping us to raise funds for disadvantaged children in Scotland and overseas via their ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie’; cover in honour of Scotland’s qualification for the Euros.”.

Yes Sir, I Can Boogie was originally a hit for Spanish vocal duo Baccara back in 1977. The song was adopted by fans of the Scotland national team in 2020 folllowing the team’s qualification for Euro 2020.