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Every four years, the world is treated to the greatest sporting spectacle invented by mankind. 32 teams who compete over a rigorous course of two years of qualifying matches, countless training sessions and plenty of friendly matches, come together to compete for the greatest prize in Football history – the World Cup. Players dream of wearing their country colors and representing their countrymen at the grandest stage of them all. The World Cup divides us in sport but unites us all in celebration. And one aspect that propels that spirit of celebration are the carefully picked World Cup Anthems – that ring in the ears of the supporters countless times months prior and past the World Cup. A challenging task always, to encapsulate so much emotion reserved for a game through a song, the World Cup Anthems have conjured some of the Greatest musical talents the world has seen. We, take a closer look at the recent years of music premiered at the World Cup and the gradual infiltration of Electronic Music and its influence in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™!
Hot Hot Hot – Arrow (1986 FIFA World Cup Anthem)
Held at Mexico, where the tangy salsa and the spicy dips are galore, this track captured the imagination of a generation with its simple vocal sample and delightful melodies. Colorful textures and bright trumpet melody breaks added plenty of fun and frolic into the track that became a mainstay in the World Cup with audiences still chanting the famous “…feeling HOT HOT HOT!” vocal sample on the track. The track uses plenty of keyboard riffs that give evidence of one of the first tracks on the World Cup playlists to use electronic instruments of any kind. Still a jam on any dancefloor, the track was remodeled by countless artists and acts including British DJ Hervé in 2010, Don Omar in 2013 and the most recognizable version by the wildly celebrated Vengaboys.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkGgdIBX1to&w=420&h=315]
To be number one – The Giorgio Moroder Project (1990 FIFA World Cup Anthem)
For Italians, Giorgio Moroder is nothing short of a modern day Mozart. And when the influential Electronic Music composer was called upon to compose the Official World Cup Anthem, he just had to deliver one of his finest. Assisted by Edoardo Bennato and Gianna Nannini along with Tom Whitlock on the lyrics, the single became a celebrated hit in Italy, as a special Italian version was released after this English version, which gripped the nation in a euphoric frenzy. A mergence of synth disco and synth pop, the track employed use of Electronica influences galore courtesy Moroder.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C–XM-0O48I&w=420&h=315]
La Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life) – Ricky Martin (1998 FIFA World Cup Anthem)
Hip shaking, hair gelled Ricky Martin was one of the most popular faces in World music in the 90s. So it was no surprise that his carnival-esque Latin flavored ‘Cup of Life’ was elected as one of three World Cup Anthems. The anthem fused elements of various song styles in one of the most electric Dance-frenzy anthems any World Cup had ever seen!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BkYKwHLXiU&w=420&h=315]
Together Now – Tetsuya Komuro, Jean Michel Jarre (1998 FIFA World Cup Anthem)
The first time a completely Electronic dedicated anthem was selected as the World Cup Anthem was a magical collaboration between two Electronic Music pioneers through French Legend Jean Michel Jarre and Japanese Pioneer Tetsuya Komuro. A perfect semblance of dark and uplifting elements synchronized to perfection, the track features a plethora of waveforms, FX alongside a perfectly composed beatless ballad by Jarre. The track was said to be a tribute to the challenges faced by a team in 90 minutes, as it ascends and descends in textures taking the listener on a trip of various emotions.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c7MQ6hVES8&w=420&h=315]
Anthem – Vangelis (2002 FIFA World Cup Anthem)
The 2002 World Cup was full of surprises. Some memorable games and legendary goals took place in the Asian spectacle. And the World Cup was closer home for some of us as the memorable World Cup added the Trance anthem ‘Anthem’ by Greek Composer Vangelis. Those euphoric synths and finely graced percussion work celebrated everything beautiful about Trance music in its glory years. A time when Trance Music had become a mainstay in the dance music affectionate’s heart, Vangelis’s anthem took the genre to the world stage with this Anthem.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcbGxT7nG60&w=420&h=315]
Hips Don’t Lie (Bamboo mix) – Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean (2006 FIFA World Cup Anthem)
2006 saw the Germans host one of the most unpredictable tournaments ever played. The World Cup saw headbutts, shock red cards, plenty of penalties and the birth of World Cup Diva Shakira. The Columbian Songstress peaked new scales of fame with her massive collaboration with Wyclef Jean on their booty shaking ‘Hips Don’t Lie’. Their collaboration underwent an emphatic Bamboo mix where plenty of percussion was remastered onto the original to make the track more carnival-esque than its seductive original tempo. The World Cup will always be remembered for the shock Final indeed but who can forget that hip-shaking Shakira performance at the Closing ceremony preceding the Final game in Berlin, to worldwide TV audiences of over 700 million people!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op3XAETs9Io&w=420&h=315]
Shosholoza 2010 – Ternielle Nelson, Jason Hartman, Uju, Louise Carver, Aya & Deep Level(2010 FIFA World Cup Anthem)
Of course we all recall the frenzy that was generated by Shakira‘s “Waka Waka” and the uplifting K’nan‘s “Wavin Flag”. But there was one song that wasn’t as celebrated as these two, despite its deep significance rooted in African culture, and the skilled studio production of the mammoth team that worked on it. ‘Shosholoza’ is a traditional South African folk song that was sung by Ndebele all-male migrant workers that were working in the South African mines, however it has become so popular in South African culture that it is often referred to as South Africa’s second national anthem! A series of South African Folk and Pop singers combined with Japanese Pop Rock and Electronic artists to compose this massive reboot of the famous song, that shines bright within South African heritage and culture. The use of synthesizers and FX elements combined with the traditional percussions and enchanting vocal work, make this one of the largest collaborations on a World Cup Song.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxoPzAdX45A&w=420&h=315]
And where are we now? Electronic Music has strongly made its impact at the World stage with the World Cup Official Anthem featuring the talents of Avicii alongside legends such as Santana & Wyclef Jean. Pitbull joins the ranks with Jennifer Lopez, Icona Pop‘s celebrated ‘All night’ also become an unofficial anthem and Fatboy Slim with ‘Bem Brasil‘ is all over the Dance Charts. With the World Cup action overtaking our senses, its only fair that the Soundtrack of your night is fitting for the occasion.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlbUGfIn0Tw&w=560&h=315]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGtWWb9emYI&w=560&h=315]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FWRT9C9XMQ&w=560&h=315]
Let us know what Dance Music tracks you would have liked to see as part of the World Cup Official Anthem. Leave your comments below!
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