The 2018 FIFA World Cup Anthem Is a Straight-Up Jam
Every World Cup, FIFA floods the radio waves with a dance track. We listened to this year’s song, “Colors,” to gauge if it belongs in your summer playlist.
WHO SINGS IT?
Jason Derulo, whose somewhat memorable past hits include “Talk Dirty” and “Watcha Say.” Those hoping the World Cup might inspire the reunion of Russian duo t.A.T.u will be disappointed.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Oh, the usual: the road to success, the power of celebration, and the beauty of global unity. Plus, thanks to a lyric that subtly incorporates Coca-Cola’s slogan “Taste the feeling,” it’s also vaguely about FIFA’s biggest sponsor.
ANY CLICHÉS?
So many. There’s flag waving. The line “We are the champions” makes it in. And after that, we are encouraged to show our “true colours.”
HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO “WAKA WAKA (THIS TIME FOR AFRICA)”?
Shakira’s 2010 World Cup anthem is our gold standard when it comes to summer soccer tracks. We’ll nod along to Derulo’s decent effort at a barbecue, but don’t expect it to log the two billion YouTube views that “Waka Waka” has.
