Sandi Thom
Unveils New Anthem
‘Proud To Be From Scotland’
A Reimagined Version Of Her Global Hit
‘I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair)’
New Scottish Version Of The Iconic Anthem as Scotland Prepares For Its First
FIFA World Cup Appearance since 1998
Multi-platinum, chart-topping Scottish singer-songwriter Sandi Thom today releases a special new song ‘Proud To Be From Scotland’ – a reimagined version of her global smash hit ‘I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair)’ – celebrating Scotland’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the growing grassroots movement that has unexpectedly transformed the song into a modern football anthem.
The new recording arrives at a moment of national excitement as Scotland prepares for its first men’s FIFA World Cup appearance since France 1998. Reimagined with a distinctly Scottish identity, the track captures the optimism, pride and energy surrounding the country’s return to football’s biggest stage, with bold & proud lyrics – “Oh, I’m proud to be from Scotland, after all these years we rise. We’ve been waiting for our moment, now it’s written in the skies. Oh, I’m proud to be from Scotland, where Bravehearts still believe. We’re marching to the World Cup with the nation on our sleeves. Listen here.
To accompany the release, Thom recently spent time filming across Edinburgh, drawing on Scotland’s landscapes, culture and football spirit. The results showcase a distinctly Scottish aesthetic and reinforcing the song’s connection to the national mood.
“Football and music have always gone hand in hand, and I loved the idea of giving Punk Rocker a Scottish football twist”, Sandi explains. “As the song celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, it felt like the perfect excuse to create something fun, bring people together for a great big singalong and get everyone behind Scotland.”
The release follows an extraordinary surge of fan engagement online. Over the past month, a chant-inspired version of Punk Rocker has gained significant traction across social platforms, generating more than 2.8 million views. The momentum has introduced the song to a new generation of supporters and music fans alike.
For Thom, whose career was built online long before the era of Spotify, TikTok or modern streaming platforms, the moment carries a particular significance. Often referred to as the world’s first streaming artist, she pioneered live online broadcasts from her basement flat in London in 2006 through her groundbreaking 21 Nights from Tooting webcast series. The performances attracted a global audience, sparked a major label bidding war and famously culminated in Thom signing her record deal live on camera, years before livestreaming became a cornerstone of the music industry.
The release also marks another chapter in the remarkable story of one of Scotland’s most innovative musical exports. Long before artists were building audiences through livestreams and social platforms, Thom was proving that direct-to-fan connection could create global success. Nearly two decades later, she finds herself at the centre of another online phenomenon, as Punk Rocker experiences an unexpected resurgence through fan culture and social media.
I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair) reached No.1 in the UK, Australia and Ireland, becoming the biggest-selling single of 2006 in Australia and spending ten weeks at the top of the chart. The song went on to become one of the defining records of the decade and remains a beloved staple across generations.
Now based back in Scotland and approaching the 20-year anniversary of her breakthrough hit, Thom continues to connect with audiences old and new. With more than 90 million catalogue streams and a career defined by authenticity, independence and innovation, she remains one of Scottish music’s most distinctive voices.
