Shakira embraces the vibrant atmosphere of South Africa 2010 by paying tribute to Swaziland’s native birds in her latest song.
On the hunt for the ultimate summer jam to include in your personal workout playlist? Look no further than Shakira, the talented Colombian singer and renowned hip-shaker, who leads the vocals alongside South African group Freshlyground for the 2010 FIFA World Cup theme song. Titled “WAKA WAKA (This Time for Africa),” this song is a catchy tune that’s sure to get you moving, so don’t get it mixed up with Fozzie Bear’s catchphrase or the nostalgic sounds of Pac-Man. The chorus incorporates a line from Zangalewa, a popular song by the Cameroonian band of the same name that serves as the national team’s rallying cry (Senegalese rapper Awadi also samples it in his hit single “Zamouna”).
By adding this track to her musical repertoire, Shakira builds on a long-standing tradition of FIFA World Cup anthems. Let’s take a moment to look back on the memorable official songs of previous tournaments.
Dubbed as “An Italian Summer” for Italian fans, this song takes us back to the era of synthesizer-driven music, reminiscent of the iconic training montages in the Rocky movies before the grunge era took over.
USA ’94
Titled “Gloryland” and performed by Daryl Hall & Sounds of Blackness, this track earns a solid rating of eight out of 10 Roberto Baggios. The smooth vocals of Daryl Hall, coupled with sax accompaniment and a gospel chorus, make this anthem a standout. It might have been surprising back then to see Daryl Hall as the USA’s musical representative to the world, but looking back, it all falls into place perfectly.
France ’98
Ricky Martin’s “La Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life)” emerges as a standout anthem of the World Cup, earning a remarkable 11 out of 10 Zinedine Zidanes. This track catapulted Ricky Martin’s career to international stardom and remains a popular choice for karaoke nights, with its infectious “Ole Ole Ole” chorus. While FIFA also released an official anthem featuring Youssou N’Dour, Ricky Martin’s jam clearly steals the show.
Japan / Korea ’02
In the World Cup hosted in Japan and Korea, the anthem scene saw another highlight with an equally iconic track.
The song “Boom” by Anastacia receives a four out of 10 Ronaldinhos rating. It’s a chaotic mix, with vocals reminiscent of a C&C Music Factory B-sides album. This song belongs in the Germany ’06 playlist.
Celebrate the Day by Herbert Gronemeyer earns a solid 7 out of ten Miroslav Klose’s. For a soft rock touch from the top-selling German-language artist of all time, Gronemeyer is the way to go. While David Hasselhoff may come to mind, Gronemeyer’s incorporation of African rhythms sets him apart, paving the way for later artists like Shakira and Vampire Weekend. Despite being a few steps behind legends like Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel, Gronemeyer holds his own in the music scene.
In addition to Gronemeyer’s hit, this year’s World Cup soundtrack also features K’naan’s Waving Flag, a track that rivals “The Cup of Life” as the ultimate sing-along anthem and has already become the song of the summer endorsed by a major cola brand.
