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With the much anticipated 2022 FIFA World Cup at the doorstep, here is a tribute to some of the best World Cup Official songs.
Personally, the Italy 1990 FIFA World Cup Official Song “To Be Number One” is the best. The lyrics was very appropriate for the game and the tune is great for singing along.
Below are my best FIFA World Cup Official songs (starting from 1990 onwards), in order of preference – it is based on the lyrics and the tune.
Note: There is also an Official Anthem, which is different from the Official Song.
1. To Be Number One – Joe Milner, Moll Anderson and Paula Mulcahy Keane: 1990 World Cup (ITALY)
“To Be Number One” Lyrics below (source: songlyrics)
[read more] This is what we’ve worked for all our lives
Reaching for the highest goal we can
We choose to give it all
When competition calls
Time records the victory in our hearts
To win or lose is not the only thing
It’s all in how we play for the fairest game
This is the chance we take
Reaching for the top
Time records the victory in our hearts
To be number one…
Running like the wind
(Like the wind)
Playing hard but always playing fair
(Oh yeah…)
To be number one…
Winning again and again
Reaching higher through Italian sky
(Through Italian sky)
This is what we’ve wanted all our lives
Shining like a shooting star at night
We’ve got to give it all
When we hear the call
Time records the victory in our hearts
To be number one…
To be number one… number one…[/read]
2. The Time of our Lives – Il Divo, featuring Toni Braxton: 2006 World Cup (GERMANY)
“Time Of Our Lives” Lyrics below (source: songlyrics)
[read more] There was a dream
Long time ago
There was a dream
Destined to grow
For a lifetime
Of heartbreaks
That brought us here today
We will go all the way
And, it feels like we’re having
The time of our lives
We’ll find the glory in the game
All that we are, for all that we are
Hoy es el dia
Es la pasion de triunfar
Para hacer realidad el destino
que soñabamos conseguir
Una vida de lucha nos trajo hasta aqui
Y llegare hasta el final (Heaven knows…)
‘Cause it feels like we’re
having the time of our lives
Juntos, unidos, triunfara nuestro
deseo de ser el major
‘Cause it feels like we’re
having the time of our lives
Hasta la gloria, junto a ti,
Llego el momento de la verdad
El momento llego
Y ya nunca jamas lo podre olvidar…
‘Cause it feels like we’re
having (’cause it feels… like
we’re having…)
The time of our lives
Juntos, unidos, triunfara
(juntos, unidos, triunfara…)
Nuestro deseo de ser el mejor
‘Cause it feels like we’re
having (’cause it feels… like
we’re having…)
The time of our lives
Hasta la gloria, junto a ti,
El momento llego
El momento llego (Oh!…)
We’ll find the glory (Find the glory…)
In the end (In the end…)
For all that we are
For everything that we wanna
be and all that we are
For the time of our lives
For the time of our lives…[/read]
3. Waka Waka – Shakira: 2010 World Cup (SOUTH AFRICA)
“Waka Waka” Lyrics below (source: songlyrics)
[read more] You’re a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up and dust yourself off
And back in the saddle
You’re on the front line
Everyone’s watching
You know it’s serious, we are getting closer
This isn’t over
The pressure’s on, you feel it
But you got it all, believe it
When you fall, get up, oh oh
And if you fall, get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
‘Cause this is Africa
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Listen to your God, this is our motto
Your time to shine, don’t wait in line
Y vamos por todo
People are raising their expectations
Go on and feed them, this is your moment
No hesitations
Today’s your day, I feel it
You paved the way, believe it
If you get down, get up, oh oh
When you get down, get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa ah ah
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Awela majoni biggie biggie mamma one A to zet
Bathi tsu zala majoni biggie biggie mamma from East to West
Batsi, waka waka ma, eh eh
Waka waka ma, eh eh
Zonke zizwe mazi buye
‘Cause this is Africa
Tsamina mina, anawa ah ah
Tsamina mina
Tsamina mina, anawa ah ah
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa, ah ah
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Django, eh eh
Django, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa ah ah
This time for Africa
This time for Africa
We’re all Africa
We’re all Africa [/read]
4. The Cup of Life – Ricky Martin: 1990 World Cup (FRANCE)
“The Cup Of Life” Lyrics Below (source: songlyrics)
[read more]The cup of life, this is the one
Now is the time, don’t ever stop
Push it along, gotta be strong
Push it along, right to the top
The feelin’ in your soul is gonna take control
Nothing can hold you back if you really want it
I see it in your eyes you want the cup of life
Now that the day is here, gotta go and get it
Do you really want it? (Yeah!)
Do you really want it? (Yeah!)
Here we go! Ale, ale, ale!
Go, go, go! Ale, ale, ale!
Tonight’s the night we’re gonna celebrate
The cup of life! Ale, ale, ale!
The cup of life, it’s do or die
It’s here, it’s now, turn up the lights
Push it along, then let it roll
Push it along, go, go, goal
And when you feel that heat, the world is at your feet
No one can hold you down if you really want it
Just steal your destiny, rght from the hands of fate
Reach for the cup of life ’cause your name is on it
Do you really want it (Yeah!)
Do you really want it (Yeah!)
Here we go! Ale, ale, ale!
Go, go, go! Ale, ale, ale!
Tonight’s the night we’re gonna celebrate
The cup of life! Ale, ale, ale!
The feelin’ in your soul is gonna take control
Nothing can hold you back if you really want it
I see it in your eyes you want the cup of life
Now that the day is here, we’re gotta go and get it
Do you really want it? (Yeah!)
Do you really want it? (Yeah!)
Do you really want it (Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
Here we go! Ale, ale, ale!
Go, go, go! Ale, ale, ale!
Tonight’s the night we’re gonna celebrate
The cup of life! Ale, ale, ale!
Un, dos, tres! Ole, ole, ole!
Un, deux, trois! Ale, Ale, Ale!
Tonight’s the night we’re gonna celebrate
The cup of life! Ale, ale, ale![/read]
5. Gloryland – Daryl Hall and Sounds of Blackness: 1994 World Cup (USA)
“Gloryland” Lyrics below (source: songlyrics)
[read more](Gloryland, in Gloryland
(You’re here in Gloryland)
It started with a feeling
And a dream was born in you
You hope and pray that come the day
You’ll see that dream come true.
With every passing moment
You begin to understand
That you’re bound for Gloryland.
With a hunger in your heart
And with fire in your soul,
With passion rising high,
You know that you can reach your goal.
Believe in what you do
and you’ve the strength to see it through
On the road to Gloryland.
(and I say…)
Gloryland, in Gloryland
It’s in your heart, it’s in your hand.
In Gloryland, in Gloryland,
You’re here in Gloryland.
This is Gloryland.
As the day gets ever closer
You are reaching for the sky.
The flames that burn inside
Are the flames that never die.
When you start to believe
It’s in your heart,
It’s in your hand.
You know, this is gloryland.
(and I say…)
Gloryland in Gloryland,
It’s in your heart,
It’s in your hand
In Gloryland, hey Gloryland.
You’re here in Gloryland[/read]
Official Songs That Are ‘Neither Here Nor There’
The other official songs have lyrics that does not fit very well with the football game (personal opinion). Even the 2022 Qatar World Cup Official song is such a let down.
The songs are listed below:
- Boom – Anastacia: 2002 World Cup (South Korea and Japan)
- We Are One (Ole Ole) – Pitbull featuring Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte: 2014 World Cup
- Live It Up – Nicky Jam featuring Will Smith and Era Istrefi: 2018 World Cup (Russia)
- Hayya Hayya (Better Together) – Trinidad Cardona, Davido and AISHA: 2018 World Cup (Qatar)
Hope the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has more to offer with the games as the 32 countries clash for the Trophy.
