World Cup Jukebox
16 June 2006, 16:08
As we enter the second weekend of the World Cup, some of us at the Newsletter are feeling a bit lethargic. Ten hours of TV a day (or one Paraguay match) can have that effect. Since there’s no better way to get back into the spirit of things than through the inspirational power of music, here’s an introductory installment of the World Cup jukebox.
There’s only one team in this World Cup named after a style of music, Trinidad & Tobago’s Soca Warriors. If any of you haven’t listened to their Soca theme songs (linked on this page) here’s another site that hosts them.
Samba has, of course, been in love with soccer for a long time. The new Nike ad capitalizes again on this romantic link. But check out this weird Ronaldinho samba jam session.
Other athletes have claimed to be musicians as well (Remember Alexei Lalas’ indy rock band?) The USA’s Clint Dempsey seems to be an aspiring hip-hop star. Nike is giving him a chance.
When you’re done with this amateur stuff, you might want to delve into some official theme songs of World Cups past. But I warn you to listen at your own risk. Official theme songs are not for the feint of heart.
Fans of Italian pop, here’s Edoardo Bennato and Gianna Nannini’s Un’estate italiana from Italia 90. A little closer to home is the theme from USA 94 Daryl Hall and the Sounds of Blackness’s Gloryland. For France 98, FIFA spiced things up, going with Ricky Martin’s La Copa de La Vida. In South Korea and Japan there was a whole official album. The main theme was Anastacia’s BOOM. There was also my favorite Live for Love United in which players like Zidane and Ronaldinho sing along.
This year we’ve got Il Divo & Toni Braxton’s Time of Our Lives and Grönemeyer’s Celebrate the Day.
England has inspired many “hit” songs over the years. There is this year’s official number, Embrace’s The World at Your Feet. There is Fat Les’s Vindaloo (We’re going to score one more than you). And there are tons of others.
Once more, here’s that guy singing ‘Three Lions’ in his room.
The credit (or blame) for many of these links goes to Matthew McKown, who is definitely a full-time graduate student. Does his wife know how he spends his time?
Please send your favorite tunes.
Comments
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Ha! What do you mean, “amateur stuff?” That Clint Dempsey hip hop video was so seeringly convincing that now I think ANYTHING could be set to that music, interspersed with clips of girls dancing and cock fights to instantly become, you know, credible. More people should make tough videos in defense of their hobbies. Also, you say that’s a Nike ad? Really? Whenever someone sends me a video of an awesome TV ad, it’s always an ad I’ve never seen before in my life. And I have a television. What shows to I have to start watching? Anyhoo, I just want to say in closing: Go Ghana!
— Emily · 16 June 2006, 16:37 · #
I played the Clint Depmsey record at my last cockfight/soiree. Feedback? I would say it went over OK: the crowd didn’t necessarily like it or dislike it. I couldn’t say that I can’t recommend it for a cockfight, though.
— Joe · 16 June 2006, 17:47 · #
I met you at the Black Sheep, Austin. The dorky Englishchild singing ‘Three Lions’ reminds me of Clint Dempsey, which I’m sure isn’t what either of them were looking for. Clint, by the way, looks like the American Inamoto—nifty enough in commercial, absent in the games. Go USA and ‘Come on England!’ nonetheless.
— Bill · 17 June 2006, 02:33 · #
Does anyone know where I can find world cup ringtones? I’m looking for Korea, but also general chants. Not national anthems, but fight songs & cheers, oleoleole!
Help?
— minx · 19 June 2006, 14:29 · #
my cousin grew up in italy and was one of the kids that performed with eduardo bennato and nianna nanini (if you can call it a performance)...a’one know where i can a copy of the video?
— finney · 18 July 2006, 13:22 · #