FIFA OFFICIAL ANTHEM: AN INDIAN VIEW

I came across a report, the other day morning, that said that the Brazilians do not consider this year’s Official Anthem for the FIFA 2014 par expectations. It's been accused of being dominated by an American singer. The only Brazilian voice, a female singer has not given due importance. She appears only towards the second half of the song. You know which song I am talking about here? Yes, the Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez World Cup anthem, We Are One.    

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The report goes on saying that Brazilians petition the Soccar authorities for making a change in the selection of the official anthem. What I found curious was that the report also suggests exceeding consensus towards the Colombian singer Shakira's new world cup song, Dare (La La La).

I second the Brazilians in their lack of interest towards the We Are One. However, on closer self-inspection I realize that I did not much prefer Shakira's La La La either. The music enthusiast in me had suggested that the beats were good in Dare (La La La). However, the lines carried clichés and duplicate phrases from Shakira’s own previous year's success number, Waka-Waka. In fact, in some places I almost felt I was listening to Waka-Waka. Why was there this cross-reference happening in my mind?

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The German magazine, where the above mentioned report was published had included a very interesting quote. The magazine quoted music journalist and DJ Gaia Passarelli saying that the Pitbull song was "bad, boring, replaceable pop song". DJ Leka Peres is also quoted saying that it as bundle of clichés.

In my opinion, both these songs prove to be a solid case for clichés and both of them lack originality. Soccer fans this year have to contend themselves with some unoriginal tracks to go with the games. What takes this issue to a unique level of intercultural unity is how a person from Chalode, India might feel awesomely unified in interests with the Brazilian feeling on the dulness of Official FIFA 2014 anthem. Although critics point out issues like "half-dressed women" against the song, as a critic from India, the relative dulness of the songs shatter my expectations. Melody and rhythm face a catastrophic disaster in a song that should be representing the passion and fight of one of the greatest sporting events in the world.

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The reason I love Ricky Martin's "La Copa De la Vida" is not that I was a great fan of football in 1998. I haven't been a great fan of football ever. The game never interested me much.

Mia culpa.

The reason I love the song "La Copa" is the passion and energy it supplies each time I listen to it.

Here is the most interesting aspect of soccer games. It may not be the games that you are particularly interested in (you may not be watching the game with the full awareness of its technical details) but the spirit of the game takes hold of you. There are people who watch football for the genuine interest in the game. Others are excited about the sight of the huge crowds and exuberant colors that fill the stadium. People and colors are two most important aspects of football games, from my point of view. This in no way is meant to be understood as an expert view on football, due to the peculiar lack of interest formation I am endowed with regarding the game.

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It's obvious that an anthem means a lot to the fans. Even to the "non-fan" types as I am, these songs are a major way to find exalted joy and the spirit of celebration. Anyway, it seems this year, we have to content ourselves with Dare and All are One, two dull and lackluster numbers.