From Aberdeen head-wetting to a Shoreditch music video
The roots of Scotland's most unexpected anthem stretch back to an Aberdeen pub, where Andy Considine was 'wetting the baby's head' after the birth of his eldest son. His cousins Victor and Liam spent the day belting out Baccara's 1977 disco hit Yes Sir, I Can Boogie in every karaoke bar they stumbled into. Little did anyone know that the catchy tune would one day unite a nation.
The real spark came years later on Considine's stag weekend in London. The former Aberdeen defender, who earned three Scotland caps and made almost 600 appearances for the Dons, was handed a drag outfit and informed he would be starring in a music video. A taxi whisked the 'blootered' centre-back and his entourage to a Shoreditch studio, where a full make-up team awaited.
"I got dolled up... my dad and uncles did too," Considine revealed. "As the hours went by, it just got more ridiculous." After a five-hour shoot, the completed video was unveiled during a best man's speech at his wedding. His verdict?
"It didn't go down well..."
The birth of an unofficial anthem for the Tartan Army
The video might have remained a private joke had it not been for a moment of pure euphoria in November 2020. Scotland had just beaten Serbia on penalties to qualify for Euro 2020, their first major men's tournament in 23 years. Dressing-room DJ Kieran Tierney cued up Baccara, and the squad erupted. Footage of the players bouncing along to the disco beat went viral, capturing the delirious joy of a nation locked down and longing for celebration.
From that night, Yes Sir, I Can Boogie became the unofficial soundtrack of the Tartan Army. Fans who were denied travel to that behind-closed-doors playoff have since belted it out across Europe, and its status as Scotland's second national anthem was sealed.
Fenway Park becomes the latest stage
Fast-forward to 2026, and the song's journey has reached surreal new heights. With Scotland competing at the World Cup in North America, the Tartan Army took over Fenway Park in Boston, one of sport's most iconic venues. Thousands of kilted supporters turned the historic baseball stadium into a bouncing sea of noise as the Baccara classic echoed around the stands, 3,000 miles from home.
The moment underlined how a makeshift music video, cooked up by a group of boozed-up mates over a decade ago, has evolved into a genuine cultural phenomenon. It is a testament to football's unique power to turn the ridiculous into the spine-tingling.
Key Takeaways
- Scotland's unexpected football anthem Yes Sir, I Can Boogie originated from a stag-do drag video made by ex-Aberdeen defender Andy Considine over a decade ago.
- The song exploded in popularity after a viral dressing-room celebration following Scotland's Euro 2020 qualification in Serbia.
- It has become the Tartan Army's unofficial soundtrack, uniting fans at tournaments across the globe.
- At the 2026 World Cup, thousands of Scotland supporters turned Boston's Fenway Park into a massive disco singalong.
Quick Facts:
Song: Yes Sir, I Can Boogie by Baccara (1977)
Originator: Andy Considine and his stag-do entourage
First major outbreak: Scotland dressing room after Euro 2020 playoff win over Serbia
Latest milestone: Tartan Army bounce at Fenway Park during 2026 World Cup