'Wavin Flag', 'Hot Hot Hot'. Songs that captured spirit of football and World Cups

The football fever has gripped the nations and soccer lovers are heading to Qatar to support their favourite teams. The grand celebrations aren’t complete without the accompaniment of thrilling music. Songs that depict the passion and the exhilarating spirit of the game have always enchanted the masses. Pop stars and singers often release football songs, especially during the time of World Cup to set the celebratory mood.

 

Hot – Hot – Hot

Many consider this to be the best football song ever. Even though it was not FIFA’s official song, the masses loved it. The song was from Canadian artist Arrow’s album Soko Savage. The catchy tune of the song, that came out in 1984, had enchanted the world.

 

The Cup of Life

This song is still played at football stadiums and the audience lose themselves in the lively beats of it. Ricky Martin’s ‘The Cup of Life’, which was the official song of FIFA in 1998, unites everyone in the spirit of football. The world was fascinated when FIFA chose a dance number as its official World Cup anthem. Moreover, this song inspired the world football body to choose peppy numbers as its official songs in the future editions.

 

The Time of Our Lives

‘The Time of Our Lives’ was released in 2006 when Germany hosted the World Cup. The song that was sung by American singer Tony Braxton in association with the 11Divo band, rightly captured the emotions of the football fiesta. It perfectly reflected the joy and tears of the magic of football.

 

Wavin’ Flag

K’naan’s ‘Wavin’ Flag’ depicts the elation and celebration of a group of fans who meet after a splendid game of soccer. This song became incredibly popular during the 2010 World Cup even though it wasn’t FIFA’s official anthem. Interestingly, the song was originally about the freedom movement of Somalia. However, the scintillating tune of the song had captured the attention of the football lovers around the world. A soft drink giant had used this song as their promotional anthem during the World Cup.

 

Waka Waka

Colombian pop artist Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka’ was FIFA’s official song in 2010. This has become one of the most popular songs in the world. ‘Waka Waka’ had topped all the global hit charts at that time. This is often the song that comes into the mind whenever you think of football. Even as the world celebrates another edition of World Cup, ‘Waka Waka continues to thrill the soccer fans. No other song has been able to challenge the spectacular popularity of ‘Waka Waka’, even twelve years after it came out.

 

We Are One

This song reminded the world that there shouldn’t be any walls that separate human beings and that everyone should unite for the love of football. ‘We Are One’ sung by Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull was the official anthem of FIFA in 2014. The video that featured the colours and culture of almost all the countries in the world had grabbed attention for its scintillating visual quality too.

 

To Be Number One

This was the official anthem of the World Cup hosted by Germany in 1990. The magical voice of iconic vocalist Giorgio Moroder was the highlight of the song.

 

Gloryland

This song amazingly reflected the spirit of the World Cup that was hosted by the United States in 1994. The pop song composed and sung by Daryl Hall and Sound of Blackness are still loved by the football lovers there.

 

Live It Up

The animated rhythm of ‘Live It Up’ composed by Nicky Jam had thrilled not just the football fans but music lovers too. Moreover, the video that featured Hollywood super star Will Smith and Albanian singer Era Istrefi was the anthem of 2018 World Cup edition that was held in Russia.

 

Boom Boom

American singer Anastasia’s ‘Boom Boom’ was the official anthem of the World Cup that was hosted jointly by South Korea and Japan in 2002. Glen Bellard had associated with Anastasia to pen the lyrics of this song. The lines reflected the unique culture and the football traditions of both the countries.