I hear it as caller/hello tunes of all my friends, I hear it in the gym, and clubs play it in every party. And instead of getting bored, I am totally loving it. Yes! That’s the magic of the FIFA songs. While there are many songs released by many artists, Shakira’s ‘Waka waka’ and K’naan’s ‘Waving flag’ have made the most noise across the world. I also like Akon’s ‘Oh Africa’. The magic of these songs is so intense that it wants me to go crazy about the game, but then I realise I am actually not crazy about it.
Oh yes, if you thought that I am writing a blog about the game, I must be a football frenzy. Let me correct you here, I love the ‘Football world cup’ songs that come out every year and of course the good-looking players, not much the game. Though I do realise, it is the biggest and the most anticipated show on the planet. Players who do well in this competition go down in the history books as legends. It is after all THE Football World Cup.
World cup 2010 is no different and equally special if not more. This is the first ever world cup to be held in Africa and it holds a very special meaning to the people and teams of this continent. And the African artists are more than willing to share their joy with the rest of the world. One such artist, K’naan’ whose original song Wavin’ Flag is quite different from (The Celebration Mix) because it is a recast version. If you have heard the original version, it has many darker lyrics denoting ‘a violent prone, poor people zone’ and people ‘struggling, fighting to eat’. Although the new version features elements of the original song, it includes a new pre-chorus that sets the uplifting, unified tone of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, turning the song into one that is more open, more inviting, more celebratory.
Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka’ has got mixed critical responses even though it’s a big hit in many countries. While many feel that the Cambodian singer has taken the FIFA music to new level, some South Africans complained that she is not the ideal person to represent Africa’s first world cup tournament. Shakira has also been accused of reinterpreting the famous song, ‘Zangalewa’ without taking the band’s permission. If that wasn’t shock enough for me, I occasionally saw the first few matches and was more surprised. The likes of England, Portugal, Spain, France and the defending champions Italy have either managed only draws or even worse, faced defeats against the so called ‘under dogs’ (like Switzerland, USA, Mexico) of this competition.
The game has become more planned-organised-controlled rather than the good old flamboyant aggressive football. Even Brazil seems to have lost that old touch and is managing the game than playing it. So far only Argentina has come out as the big bully in the competition. It would be very interesting to see how the ‘cup of life’ unfolds in 2010.
Controversies and compliments will always be a part of game so huge. For now, let’s plug in the headphones and wave to the tunes of FIFA music in the day and take control of the remote and take pleasure in watching the matches in the night! Ole, ole!
