Tottenham Hotspur faces royalties dispute over anthem
Tottenham Hotspur is embroiled in a royalties dispute concerning their pre-match anthem, with Geoff Morrow, one of the writers of Barry Manilow’s hit song “Can’t Smile Without You,” claiming the club has not engaged with him regarding payment, reports BritPanorama.
The song, recorded by Manilow in the 1970s, has become a staple at Spurs home matches, where fans often sing along as it plays at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The club even showcased a large banner referencing the track during matches held behind closed doors amid the pandemic.
Morrow, who supports Spurs’ rivals Arsenal, expressed disappointment over the club’s reluctance to converse about royalties. He stated, “I hoped that Spurs would be willing to sit down and meet with me to discuss this but they haven’t been interested. When we wrote the song, we never imagined it would become a football anthem. What is really frustrating is Spurs won’t accept they are using our song.”
Morrow argues that clubs must pay royalties when they regularly utilise copyrighted music in fan experiences. He cited the royalties for Liverpool’s anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as a precedent. In contrast, Tottenham asserts that they do not owe any payment as the use of the song is within existing music licensing agreements that cover matchday playlists and stadium entertainment.
Club sources have conveyed their belief that Morrow’s claim lacks legal foundation under current licensing rules. This disagreement follows the song’s evolution into an unofficial pre-match tradition among Spurs fans since the opening of the club’s new £1 billion stadium.
The atmosphere at matches is often heightened as tens of thousands of supporters join in singing, transforming a 1970s ballad into a football anthem. Morrow has not clarified whether he intends to pursue legal action, though he maintains that Tottenham should compensate the songwriters.
As Tottenham refrains from publicly commenting on the matter, industry sources indicate that any potential legal dispute will likely hinge on whether the sing-along constitutes a separate use beyond their existing licenses. While clubs often incorporate iconic music into their matchday identity, disputes over copyright are relatively uncommon.
Legal experts note that stadium playlists are commonly covered by overarching agreements with performance rights organisations, which oversee royalties for creatives. The critical point of contention is whether Tottenham’s use of the song is compliant with these rules.
For now, “Can’t Smile Without You” continues to resonate around north London before kick-off, as its writer stands firm that the song should not be used without due compensation. This saga highlights the ongoing struggle between cultural ownership and commercial use, reminding fans how even the joyous simplicity of football can give rise to complex disputes.
