The World Cup has always been an event which creates a feeling of nostalgia . Not just because of the football spectacle but the theme songs for the event. Memory lane, I can still remember, Un’estate Italiana by Edoardo Bennato and Gianna Nannini in Italy 1990 as though it was yesterday.
Gloryland by Daryl Hall with Sounds of Blackness in USA 1994, and La Copa de la Vida by Ricky Martin in France 1998. Boom by Anastacia was the official song in 2002. In 2006, it was The Time of Our Lives by the Il Divo quartet.
Ohhh ohhh ohhh ohhh ohhhh, oh oh oh ohhh ohhh ohhhh ohhhh
Ohhh ohhh ohhh ohhh ohhhh, oh oh oh ohhh ohhh ohhhh ohhhh
Give me freedom, give me fire, give me reason, and take me higher
See the champions, take the field now, you define us, make us feel proud
In the streets are, exaliftin, as we lose our inhibition,
Celebration it’s around us, every nation, all around us
Singin forever young, singin songs underneath that sun
Lets rejoice in the beautiful game.
And together at the end of the day.
We all say
When I get older I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom just like a wavin’ flag
Somali-born K’NAAN‘s World Cup theme song ”Wavin’ Flag” was definitely the
most captivating song during the just ended World Cup In South AFRICA. The melody and style had the African undertone and the song hit the charts for almost 3 months. Many speculated that this song was going to be the official World Cup Song.
The Columbian singer Shakira just broke with a highly controversial song ”Waka waka” (It’s Time for Africa”) featuring FreshlyGround which made the entire Vuvuzela nation go gaga. The song ”Zangalewa” is borrowed from Cameroonian 1986 hit makers Golden Sound. This song was such a hit that the group became known as ”Zangalewa”.
Za mina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh
Za mina mina zangalewa
Ana wam ah ah
Zambo eh eh
Zambo eh eh
Za mina mina zangalewa
Wana wa ah ah
The song is a fusion of African traditional and western instrumentation with back-up vocals from Black Mambazo.
International songstress, Kelly Rowland collaborated with 2Face Idibia (Nigeria), Awadi (Senegal), Chameleone (Uganda), Samini (Ghana), Krotal (Cameroon), Rola (Lebanon), Jozi, Kwesta, Slikour and Zuluboy (South Africa) for the tournament’s MTN new track Everywhere You Go. Steve Morales produced the song, which is also part of the official World Cup compilation CD.
Kenya’s Eric Wainaina will also have a share on the big stage.
Akon sang with Keri Hilson ”Oh AFRICA” . Some speculated that this was going to be the official FIFA 2010 World Cup song.
International award winning R&B king R Kelly is also in South Africa having collaborated with the Soweto Spiritual Singers to sing Sign of a Victory, yet another World Cup song.
“I wanted to get into the (African) mood, so I got books about Africa and football. I believe in doing research on a project this big. “Anyone who didn’t wear anything resembling African clothing wouldn’t dare step into my studio,”he is quoted to have told the press when asked about the composition of his World Cup song.
WHICH OF THIS SONGS MARKED THE EVENT?
wow.waving flag is the masterpiece.Big ups to K’naan
Waving Flag because he is African
In Germany
Helele – by Velile & Safri Duo fom SA made the hit on RTL television