Top 10 World Cup Songs of 2010

2010 World Cup

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The World Cup soccer (football) tournament is one of the world's biggest sports events and is held every four years.  Every World Cup generates a wide range of pop music recorded in celebration of the event and to support national teams. These are 10 of the top songs for World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

01
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K'Naan - "Wavin' Flag"

Courtesy Universal

Born in Somalia, K'Naan moved to Canada in his early teen years. His song "Wavin' Flag" was first released in March of 2009. The song was chosen to be reworked into a Canadian charity single for Haiti in early 2010 recorded by Young Artists for Haiti. That version of "Wavin' Flag" debuted at #1 on the Canadian pop singles chart. Coca-Cola chose K'Naan's "Wavin' Flag" as their official theme for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The song was re-recorded yet again as a "Celebration Mix" for the event. 

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02
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Shakira - "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)"

Shakira - "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)"
Shakira - "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)". Courtesy Epic

Shakira's song "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" was chosen by FIFA as an official anthem of the 2010 World Cup. It was recorded with South African group Freshlyground. The recording includes a sample from the 1986 song "Zangalewa" by the Cameroonian band Golden Sounds. "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" reached the top 10 on pop singles charts across Europe.

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03
of 10

Shout for England featuring Dizzee Rascal and James Corden - "Shout"

Dizzee Rascal and James Corden - "Shout for England"
Dizzee Rascal and James Corden - "Shout for England". Courtesy Syco

It has been 44 years since England last won the World Cup. In order to boost the national spirits in support of England's 2010 World Cup team, Simon Cowell enlisted British hip-hop star Dizzee Rascal and comic actor James Corden to headline a rousing anthem based on Tears for Fears' 1984 hit "Shout." The result was a debut at #1 on the UK pop singles chart with the biggest single week sales since the Haiti charity single "Everybody Hurts."

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04
of 10

Weezer - "Represent"

Weezer - "Represent"
Weezer - "Represent". Courtesy Interscope

Weezer's lead vocalist Rivers Cuomo is a serious soccer fan. His band put together "Represent" as an unofficial anthem to support the efforts of the US team in the 2010 World Cup. It was made available for free download via iTunes in its first week of release.

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05
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R. Kelly - "Sign of a Victory"

R. Kelly - "Sign of a Victory"
R. Kelly - "Sign of a Victory". Courtesy Jive Records

R. Kelly's "Sign Of Victory" was chosen as one of FIFA's official anthems for the 2010 World Cup. He opened the Kickoff Concert the day before the World Cup's opening ceremonies. The song is performed with the Soweto Spiritual Singers, and it is a soaring tune in line with such R. Kelly classics as "I Believe I Can Fly."

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06
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The Squad - "3 Lions 2010"

The Squad - "3 Lions 2010"
The Squad - "3 Lions 2010". Courtesy Parlophone

Originally released in 1996, the song "Three Lions" is arguably the top football (soccer) song of all time. It was first recorded by comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner with the Brit rock band Lightning Seeds to support England's efforts in the 1996 European championship. The song, with its chorus "Football's coming home," immediately went to #1 on the UK pop singles chart and even landed in the top 20 in Germany. "3 Lions" was re-recorded with different lyrics in 1998 as an unofficial song for that year's World Cup. It reached #1 on the charts again ahead of the official World Cup song. For 2010, Robbie Williams and comedian Russell Brand have joined with Baddiel, Skinner, and Ian Broudie of Lightning Seeds as the Squad.

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07
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Kelly Rowland featuring Rhythm of Africa United - "Everywhere You Go"

Kelly Rowland's anthemic "Everywhere You Go" was chosen as an official 2010 World Cup anthem by the MTN Group, Africa's biggest telecom operator. It features a conglomeration of African artists going by the name Rhythm of Africa United.

08
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Akon featuring Keri Hilson - "Oh Africa"

Akon featuring Keri Hilson - "Oh Africa"
Akon featuring Keri Hilson - "Oh Africa". Courtesy Universal

Akon's "Oh Africa" was originally released as a charity single in early 2010 to benefit underprivileged children in Africa through Akon's charity Konfidence. Pepsi adopted the song as their official anthem for the 2010 World Cup.

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09
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Pitbull, TKZee and Dario G - "Game On"

Pitbull, TKZee, and Dario G - "Game On"
Pitbull, TKZee, and Dario G - "Game On". Courtesy J Records

Zakumi, the mascot for the 2010 World Cup, has an official song. "Game On" is an uptempo dance track recorded by artists from three continents. Pitbull is a US artist born to Cuban immigrants. TKZee is a South African group, and Dario G is a dance music producer from the UK. The song "Game On" has distinctive Latin, African, and Eurodance influences.

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10
of 10

Till Bronner with Hugh Masekela and Livingston - "Win the World"

Till Bronner featuring Hugh Masekela and Livingston - "Win the World"
Till Bronner featuring Hugh Masekela and Livingston - "Win the World". Courtesy Island Records

"Win the World" is another World Cup song featuring a truly international artistic collaboration. Till Bronner is a well known German jazz trumpet player. Hugh Masekela is an internationally celebrated South African trumpet player and band leader who became a pop superstar in the US in the late 1960s when his song "Grazing in the Grass" hit #1. Livingston are a rising British rock band. The song is centered on the word "thando" which means "love" in the Zulu language.