Bournemouth introduced INXS's hit 'Never Tear Us Apart' as their new pre-match anthem. Symbolising unbreakable unity, it reflects the Cherries' journey from hardship and financial woes to PL stability. Selected by fans to build identity, it debuted positively and aims to become a lasting tradition.
A new chapter in matchday tradition began before Bournemouth's match against Manchester United on Friday, as the club blooded a new pre-match anthem to ring out around Vitality Stadium. Intended to capture the spirit, pride and unity of the Cherries faithful, the reception has been largely positive.
Never Tear Us Apart by INXS is a song essentially about unbreakable love and emotional permanence - an idea that a deep connection between two things can’t be destroyed, even by time, distance, or hardship.
At its core, the message is: “what we have is real, powerful, and lasting - and nothing can pull us apart”, and as such, after a series of meetings and consultations between Cherries Trust, the Fan Advisory Board, and the Fan Experience and Atmosphere Group, the Australian band’s 1987 hit seemed to carry all the themes which can make it a new pre-match tradition at Dean Court.
Hardship weaved through it's foundations
Cherries are a fairly “new” type of club to grace the Premier League, being one of only a handful of top flight teams that has seen a rapid rise in recent decades, culminating in an extended stay in the top flight possibly beyond what many supporters thought was possible.
If you think "AFC Bournemouth", most fans of a certain vintage will mainly, and sometimes fondly, remember footballing life in the lower tiers. As such, the history of the club has hardship and tough times weaved through its foundations, with points deductions, receivership, administrations, bailiffs coming through the doors at metronomic regularity, and regular “bucket” moments where fans and businesses have been asked to stump up cash to see the club survive.
Forging an identity was often difficult, not least when many Dorset based fans of the 80’s and 90’s defaulted to support their nearest top flight team in Southampton. For Bournemouth, when a club is constantly in survival mode, it doesn’t have the luxury of asking: “Who are we?” It’s more like: “Can we get through this season?”
But now, with a settled Premier League side, and an ownership that has big plans, there has been a push by AFC Bournemouth to create a stronger pre-match identity - therefore, introducing a new anthem is less about a single event, and more about a strategic shift in how the club sees itself.
In recent years, clubs across the Premier League have started to realise that, in order to be seen and remembered on a global level, a “brand” is necessary, and whilst Cherries have always had the back-story, it’s never had a song at its core that binds us all.
Arsenal are probably the best example of high-profile club that have adopted a new anthem with their “North London Forever”, and it wasn’t too long before all fans at the Emirates gleefully were belting out week after week - now, Bournemouth want to do the same.
Existing track vs self-penned number
A self-penned number was never going to be the answer for this, as it would be regarded as “cringe” by many, therefore, the decision was made to adopt an existing song which condenses "all that we are", in a brief two minute singalong before the first whistle blows.
It’s first outing on Friday was bewildering to many, but respected by most, and within the song and accompanying montage, there were a few themes which seemed to connect with supporters, including:
Fate and inevitability: Lines like “I was standing / You were there” suggest the relationship feels destined, almost like they (and AFCB) were always meant to meet.
The song isn’t about a practical relationship - it’s about something deeper, almost spiritual, and it leans into “feeling” rather than explanation and a defiance against outside forces.
Indeed, it’s why the song often gets used at weddings, in films, or in big emotional moments - as it captures that “us against the world” feeling perfectly.
Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra It is hoped that, over time, the lyrics will be sang by fans with scarves aloft etc. So, whilst Sunderland’s supporters belt out Republica’s ‘Ready To Go”, Manchester City’s supporters chant “Blue Moon”, and Brentford fans get involved in “Hey Jude” - maybe Bournemouth’s newly adopted theme, unique to a British football club, can soon by intrinsically linked with each other.
Jury’s out, but this one definitely has legs…