The goals and misses will be there. There will be hearty cheers, sighs and agonies. All these will come and go. Only one thing – the official song – will remain when the World Cup ends in Russia on July 15. Three great artists – Will Smith, Nicky Jam and Era Istrefi – will perform “Live It Up”, the official song of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia produced by DJ and songwriter Diplo.
The music stars will thrill the spectators at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium and millions of people watching on TV just a few minutes before the two finalists hit the pitch on July 15.
But the lyrics of “Live It Up” will be released on multiple streaming platforms today, May 25, to enable people to master them early. The FIFA World Cup Official Music Video will be available by June 7.
For the world-renowned Grammy Award-winning actor, songwriter and artist, Will Smith, “We just want to see the world dance. I’ve never made a song this international, so many stars have come together to make a strong vibe”.
The tradition of having official song dates back to the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England with a song for the first official mascot, “World Cup Willie”. Since then, the Official Music Program and the Official Mascot have become significant components of the event, providing an excellent opportunity for more others, and not just football fans, to identify with the world’s biggest single-sport event.
Official songs at recent FIFA World Cups have included “Un’estate italiana” by Edoardo Bennato and Gianna Nannini in 1990, “Gloryland” by Daryl Hall with Sounds of Blackness in 1994, and “La Copa de la Vida” by Ricky Martin in 1998. In Korea/Japan 2002, the official song was “Boom” by Anastacia. In 2006, “The Time of Our Lives” by the Il Divo quartet was a resounding success.
And, who can ever forget Shakira’s “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa or, most recently, “We Are One (Ole Ola)” the official song of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil? It is entertainment galore.
