Marsden had founded the band under the moniker Gerry and the Mars Bars in 1959, but after a name change prompted by a complaint from the Mars company, the group could really begin to feel that they were chocolate: their first three UK singles (How Do You Do It?, I Like It and You’ll Never Walk Alone) all soared to the top of the UK singles chart, making them the first act to achieve the feat. Later hits followed on both sides of the Atlantic, including the sweet Bacharach-esque ballad Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying – which has since been covered by the likes of José Feliciano, Gloria Estefan and Paul Carrack – and Ferry Cross The Mersey, which became a signature ode to their home city.

The Pacemakers’ rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, adapted from the 1945 musical Carousel, would also become synonymous with Merseyside. The chart success of Marsden’s take on the Rodgers and Hammerstein standard led to its adoption as a terrace anthem at Liverpool FC, where its lyrics are now emblazoned on the Shankly Gates outside the club’s Anfield home.

Sir Paul McCartney took to social media to send his respects to a ‘rival‘ and ‘mate‘ whose rise to transatlantic prominence with the Pacemakers began on the same gig circuits of Liverpool and Hamburg trodden by the fledgling Fab Four. Speaking to his Twitter followers, McCartney said: “Gerry was a mate from our early days in Liverpool. He and his group were our biggest rivals on the local scene. His unforgettable performances of You’ll Never Walk Alone and Ferry Cross the Mersey remain in many people’s hearts as reminders of a joyful time in British music. My sympathies go to his wife Pauline and family. See ya, Gerry. I’ll always remember you with a smile. ”

Gerry was a mate from our early days in Liverpool. He and his group were our biggest rivals on the local scene. His unforgettable performances of You’ll Never Walk Alone and Ferry Cross the Mersey remain in many people’s hearts as reminders of a joyful time in British music… pic.twitter.com/t1COAIwZVM

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) January 3, 2021

Liverpool’s Cavern Club – the subterranean cauldron of sound known across the world for its connection to the heyday of Merseybeat – also remembered Marsden on its official social media channels, tweeting: “Devastated to hear of the passing of Gerry Marsden…the word legend is often overused but Gerry was not only a legend, but also a very good friend of The Cavern. Gerry and the Pacemakers played the Cavern Club nearly 200 times and Gerry returned to perform numerous times over the years. Always a great show, always good fun and a fantastic story teller.”

Oliver’s Army troubadour Elvis Costello was among a host of other musicians paying tribute. The singer, who has roots in Liverpool and nearby Birkenhead, tweeted: “I was saddened by Gerry Marsden’s passing. His voice will always lead the way at Anfield, in times of celebration or lament. YNWA. He (and his brother, Freddie) wrote some great tunes.” Meanwhile one of Merseyside’s latest up-and-coming music stars, folk-rocker Jamie Webster, described Marsden as “a voice of the city of Liverpool“.

Very sad news regarding Gerry. Lots of memories shared. Condolences to his family and friends. May he never walk alone. pic.twitter.com/4QCo3eu4NR

— Pete Best (@BeatlesPeteBest) January 3, 2021

Elsewhere, there were warm tributes from leading Scouse lights in the worlds of entertainment and sport. Comedian John Bishop took to Twitter to hail Marsden as a “gentleman” who left behind “a brilliant catalogue of songs“; while footballer John Aldridge was one of a number of former Reds stars to pay tribute to the singer on social media. The ex-Liverpool, Newport County, Real Sociedad and Republic of Ireland star tweeted that Marsden was a “a lovely bloke” whose “voice will live on forever at Anfield“.

I first met Gerry Marsden in 1992 when he came to show support for a charity cycle ride I did. He was always a gentleman and kind with his talent and his time. He leaves a brilliant catalogue of songs and an anthem that will out live us all . RIP Gerry YNWA pic.twitter.com/p3q1bXnq12 — John Bishop (@JohnBishop100) January 3, 2021

It is with such great sadness that we hear of Gerry Marsden’s passing.

Gerry’s words will live on forever with us. You’ll Never Walk Alone pic.twitter.com/5W4yspmLRV — Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 3, 2021

We join the rest of Merseyside in sharing deep sadness at the death of one of Liverpool’s loveliest scousers and truly great voices, Gerry Marsden.

Rest in Peace, Gerry.

— Everton (@Everton) January 3, 2021

The video flits between shots of him celebrating with friends, and landscape visuals of the rapper outside the club’s home, Anfield. Naturally, Yungen wears a Liverpool shirt throughout and poses with a replica of the trophy. The Premier League title was wrapped up by The Reds, after Chelsea beat title rivals Manchester City on Thursday. The artist took to Instagram Live to express his immediate elation, claiming that it was ‘the happiest [he] has ever been‘. He later announced the single,via Twitter, accompanied by a caption exclaiming ‘TO CELEBRATE THE NEWLY CROWNED PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS‘. As well as the track’s title players, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, Yungen uses a combination of metaphors and wordplay to salute other members of the Liverpool squad such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

There is a unique relationship between the British rap scene and the sport of football. AJ Tracey was the face of Tottenham Hotspur’s kit launch in 2017, and Stormzy has performed at the home of his beloved Manchester United. Football is played and watched religiously within the urban communities from which the majority of the scene stems, therefore performers idolise the players and vice versa. The result is a cross-section between two of British culture’s biggest stalwarts, and an artistic platform that often emphasises the importance of the sport.

Yungen’s new single is evidence of this. A big name in modern grime, he rose to prominence after his SBTV freestyle. His greatest success to date was the 2018 platinum single Bestie, which featured Yxng Bane, and peaked in the UK top 10. He has also earned critical acclaim with a MOBO nomination for Best Newcomer in 2015. He has released two studio albums to date, Project Black and Red (2014) and Project Purple (2019).

The single Mane and Salah may not threaten the charts, but Yungen will not be bothered. It was not made to earn money or please his fans, but to celebrate the success of his favoured club. The Red’s title win was a monumental effort after thirty years of hurt, and so the reason behind the rappers elation are obvious. The relationship between the British rap scene and football is unique, and therefore Yungen’s track is the perfect medium to display the pride he feels at his team’s achievements.