Shakira Makes Me Sad

April 28th, 2010 | by: Taylor |

So, a while back, I put up a post about the anthem for this summer’s World Cup in South Africa. Initially, I thought it was a remix of the K’Naan song, “Waving Flag”. Oh, how wrong I was…

Apparently, the K’Naan song is Coca-Cola’s official song for the tournament (hence all the subtly displayed Coca-Cola beverages being spilled by riotous fans). The “real” anthem (according to… uh… Youtube) is performed by Shakira and is titled… sigh… I kid you not… “Waka Waka”. YouTube video after the jump.

Just to clarify, the official song of the World Cup in South Africa is sung by a Colombian? With a title that only Fozzy Bear would approve of? Here’s a sampling of the lyrics:

“You’re a good soldier, Choosing your battles, Pick yourself up, And dust yourself of, And back in the saddle, You’re on the frontline, Everyone’s watching, You know it’s serious, We’re getting closer This isnt over

The pressure is on, You feel it, But you’ve got it all, Believe it
When you fall get up, Oh oh…
And if you fall get up, Oh oh…

Tsamina mina, Zangalewa, Cuz this is Africa
Tsamina mina eh eh, Waka Waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa, Anawa aa
This time for Africa!”

Awesome… that’s what I want in a World Cup theme… References to young soldiers in Africa and comparisons to hotly contested frontline standoffs… I definitely don’t want lyrics about uniting everyone in the beautiful game… I’m going to go watch the K’Naan video and be sad now… Feel free to disagree…

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Taylor

Edit: If the entire song began at 2:00, then I would like it more…
http://usa.worldcupblog.org Marlon

Maybe Sepp really loves jamming to Shakira. And making money off of those more famous and talented than he is. Not that I’m calling Shakira talented.
Taylor

You were dangerously close to doing that Marlon… Be careful…
http://usa.worldcupblog.org Marlon

Her talents are not PG13.
http://usasoccerstud.com USA Soccer Stud

Coke clearly got the better song, one that encompasses the World Cup in a world beat type way.
Jose

“the official song of the World Cup in South Africa is sung by a Colombian?”

Does having it sung by a Canadian and a Spaniard make any more sense
Taylor

Jose, a valid point, although K’Naan is actually from Somalia… At least that’s on the continent…
yasmin de freitas braz

Almost 20 years ago Las Chicas del Can from Sto Domingo Sang the WAKA WAKA song. Check it out on You-tube. The name of the sonf is El negro no Puede.

Shakira sings the waka waka song with the exact lyrics
Jose

Oh, I didn’t know he was actually born in Somalia, Taylor, so fair point, lol.

“Almost 20 years ago Las Chicas del Can from Sto Domingo Sang the WAKA WAKA song. Check it out on You-tube. The name of the sonf is El negro no Puede.”

OMG, that’s right!! I’m finding it quietly amusing that the official World Cup song is based on a Dominican merengue… half the country doesn’t even know there’s a “balompie world championship” in Africa this summer.
http://www.world-cup-song.com Steve

Check out the England World song `Green Fields of England` by George and the Dragons. It is getting played at English football stadiums around the country and receiving national radio airplay. Hear it at http://www.green-fields-of-england.com
Piaggio

If we could only boycott this crap…
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Tamara LLanes

I think the song is wonderfull, it’s great, and she sings it great too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stainley

What the heck???? Whose stock of genius was this. K’naan’s song made me want to pick up a football and challenge the entire world to a game. It should hands down be the song of the World cup. Those on here who have probably never played “THE BEAUTIFUL GAME” will not get what I mean and probably did not feel the weight and emotion behind K’naan’s song. “WAKA WAKA”, honestly WHAT THE HECK????
Stainley

For the first part I meant to write “Stroke” instead of “Stock”. All the same WHAT THE HECK???
Christian

Wtf!
I was convinced that K’naan’s song was already chosen.
Shakiras song is bullcrap…
K’naan’s song is even the main song in the FIFA world cup 2010 game. Im hoping that the only source that can vertify that shakiras song is the official one is youtube.
Anyone who has other sources? Has FIFA said anything about it?
Christian

Lol.. postet from Ireland…^^
Im Norwegian, don’t want ppl to think I’m Irish
Duval

are you serious? Why would they pick her again? Just go with the knaan song. Its miles better and he’s actually African.
Deborah

I am African, and I agree that the song should have been by an African this year. But Waka waka is an African creole word meaning keep on going (or keep on walking)and mocking the name of the song does display some level of ignorance and disregard of west African culture and languages. In addition the chorus is taken word for word from a popular cameroonian chant that many Africans recognize. Hope this clears it up a little. And the group that sings later in the song is a South African group called Freshly ground you can check them out on youtube or on their official website.
christianloriau

As good as any and better than most. It is a world event and needs to appeal to a large gathering. A lot of South African content, so not bad at all.
Christian Loriau
Rosey

It should be a real African making promoting this.
What a shame.
Shakira has enough money already.
She should refuse and be smart.
christianloriau

Yes, a real African would be best. I can not disagree. Great time to promote local talent.
Christian Loriau
http://www.rosettastones-store.com Rosetta Stone

World Cup is really nice.
hp

Omg, LOL, even if you don’t like the song who gives yeah? most world cup songs are terrible anyway, but we only just buy it or listen to it because its associated with the World Cup, then never listen to it again until four years later…and the cycle goes on.
The best to date for the mens world cup must be Cup of Life by Ricky Martin, even if it makes you cringe to listen to the music because its so latino’s 90’s, its been the best so far for the mens tournament. AS for any World cup. J Lo’s “Let’s get loud” for the 1999 Womens world cup song must be the best FIFA song had. Even though I share the opinion of, WTF? Shakira again, at least this song is better than the irrelevant “hips don’t lie” I was so puzzled with why that was an official song.
christianloriau

Stil… better with local content.
Christian Loriau
NoneOfYourBussines

A shut the hell up.
Africa is not the only that suffers with soldier, Colombians have the “Guerrilla” which is worst.
And besides what does Shakira has to do with being a Colombian?
NO LOCAL ARTIST EVER SING THE ANTHEM
stupid people that talk shit. Specially the selfsih Africans that want a local African to sing the athem.
Your offer them a hand and the whole arm….
Siddhu

Wtf , K’naan’s song is far better than that of shakira’s …
http://www.daretodream2010.com Chris

Here is another great anthem for England that’s just out, probably.. not so great if you’re not English but hey (!)

Available now for download at http://www.daretodream2010.com
http://www.daretodream2010.com Chris

Uhh.. OK so it didn’t embed the video but never mind.. the link is here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jip29tx1fjo
kole

1998 world cup song was performed by a west african man…
http://www.somchat.com Somali Chat and Blog

K’naan is also performing his ‘Waving Flag’ in the opening night on June 10th. So, both Shakira and K’naan and many local artists as well as American stars like Alicia Keys will all be in for a great night of epic entertainment.
Sallie

OMG, you people are STUPID, one the money goes to some FIFA charity for some snot nose kids. (I hate the vast majority of KIDS by the way) Two: the song is kick A**! Shakira is the best I love the song she is FIERCE!
dick

Music kinda transends color, language and your motherland.

The only need for any music critc is a toe to tap and the ability to dimiss anything you do not like as trash.

The only time you have to worry about Shakira is if she’s asked to make a penalty kick late in the Final.

Otherwise?

Rock on!
David M.

I would really prefer the K’naan song far more than the Shakira song because he seems to bring the emotion of South Africa more than Shakira, which is more like any of all those people who will be visiting South Africa this summer. On the other hand, if Shakira’s song is at least somewhat representative of Sourth Africa then at least that part is good. Overall, there is nothing better than a local like K’naan welcoming you to South Africa with such a great song.
CGB

Taylor, pls don’t be stupid. Shakira’s song there’s NOTHING to do with what you think. The song call ALL players soldiers, not only the Africans. Besides, if you can’t handle a Colombian singing an anthem for the World Cup in Africa, then you completely disagree with tournament. The World Cup’s whole point is to unite the nations. But maybe Americans can’t understand that since they are not big fans of soccer, consequently don’t value the World Cup as much as the Super Bowl.
Tugela

Do you know what Waka Waka actually means?
MS

In the video is Shakira sort of… meant to be… blacked up? Only that motor oil, or whatever, is pretty… I don't know. Makes me uncomfortable though
Hilariek

“Burn, Baby, Burn” – more or less. Should have been “K'naan's Wavin the Flag.”