Sportsong of the Week #12
"Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)"
Shakira ft. Freshlyground
2010
Produced by Shakira & John Hill
Copyright Arc Music
Next week I'm traveling for a month to Colombia. So the choice for one of the biggest Colombian music artists for Sportsong of the Week #12 is the way to go. It was the official tune of the World Cup Football of 2010 in South Africa: Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) by recording artist Shakira featuring the very talented South African group Freshlyground.
The memory of this tournament still hurts for a Dutchman like me. Watching the finale when on vacation in New York and being so close. So close! Robben, Robben, Robben...the pain!!
Ok, back to the song. Waka Waka, meaning 'bright light' in Swahili, is an adaptation of the original song Zangaléwa by the Goldens Sound from Cameroon. In the music video you see the biggest stars making an appearance and legendary footage from earlier World Cups. Shakira, herself married to Spanish football star Gerard Pique, dances traditionally in between the footage.
Not really a big fan of the song, but it is one of the most popular World Cup songs ever, and game footage with music is almost always a good thing. This time for Africa! Waka Waka!
(See the song Zangalewa by the Golden Sounds from Cameroon below)
Full lyrics "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" - Shakira
Oooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehh You're a good soldier Choosing your battles Pick yourself up And dust yourself off Get back in the saddle You're on the front line Everyone's watching You know it's serious We're 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 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 hesitation 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 a a Tsamina mina, eh eh Waka waka, eh eh Tsamina mina zangalewa This time for Africa [Zolani sings] Ame la mejole biggi biggi mubbo wa A to Z Asi tsu zala mejole biggi biggi mubbo from East to West Bathi waka waka ma eh eh waka waka ma eh eh Tendency suna tsibuye 'cause this is Africa... [Voice:] Tsamina mina, Anawa a a Tsamina mina Tsamina mina, Anawa a a Tsamina mina, eh eh Waka waka, eh eh Tsamina mina zangalewa Anawa a a Tsamina mina, eh eh Waka waka, eh eh Tsamina mina zangalewa This time for Africa [2x] Django eh eh [2x] Tsamina mina zangalewa Anawa a a [2x]s This time for Africa [2x] We're all Africa