Best 5 Songs of the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa

The FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa sent waves of excitement ripping through the country and the continent in general. Some of the world’s biggest football teams assembled in South Africa, with Spain famously beating the Netherlands to the title in extra time.
So overflowing was the football frenzy, with millions of fans storming South Africa and thousands of punters trooping to first-class bookmaker apps like Betway (Find Out More about the app) to stake on the biggest fixtures.

More interestingly, there was more on the menu than football. South African culture and music were deliciously served to the world.

This article remembers the best five songs we will remember the FIFA grand showpiece for.

“Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” by Shakira featuring Freshlyground

“Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” is one of the most popular songs to be sung by the award-winning Colombian singer Shakira.
Famously known by the term “Waka Waka (Esto es África)” in Spanish, this song features one of South Africa’s finest bands, Freshlyground, and stands as one of the most popular songs ever sung for the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
Originally written, composed, and produced by John Hill and Shakira, this 3:22-minute song which borrowed its sound concept from the Cameroonian song “Zamina mina (Zangaléwa)” by Golden Sounds, gained a lot of praise for fitting perfectly into the Afro-fusion and Soca genre.

“Move On Up” by Angélique Kidjo and John Legend

“Move On Top” holds its place as one of the classics of all time. The song was originally owned by Curtis Mayfield and was released on June 25, 1971.
Its album version is 8:49 minutes long, and its single version is 2:53 minutes long. Over the years, “Move On Top” has occasionally been blended into the tracks of many singers and rappers, including Kanye West’s 2005 hip-hop song, “Touch the Sky“.
Although “Move On Top” did not make it to the top charts during its time of release, in the later years, it began to gain recognition as artists began making versions of it.

At the FIFA 2010 World Cup, the classic progressive and funk soul classic, “Move On Top” was sung by Angélique Kidjo and John Legend.

Ever since then, the song has remained one of the best songs to be played at the FIFA 2010 World Cup.

“Sign of a Victory” (The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Anthem by R. Kelly and the Soweto Spiritual Singers)

Written and produced by one of the most respected R&B stars, R. Kelly, “Sign of a Victory” inspires hope across every genre of life.
The song was originally released on June 6, 2010, and made available to be digitally downloaded across major music platforms.
“Sign of a Victory” also got a lot of positive criticism and was considered one of the songs to be played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

With R. Kelly featuring one of South Africa’s well-known gospel choirs, Soweto Spiritual Singers, the 5:20 minutes song, “Sign of Victory” stood as the 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem.

This solidifies it as one of the best R&B soul songs to be always remembered.

“Oh Africa” by Akon featuring Keri Hilson

“Oh Africa” was written by Theron Thomas and Timothy Thomas, produced by Alexander “PrettyBoiFresh” Parhm, Jr, and was sung by the R&B and hip hop star, Akon.

Officially released for digital download on January 31, 2010, which happens to be the 52nd Grammy Awards night, “Oh Africa” stands to be one of the best charity singles.

Although Keri Hilson officially features Keri Hilson, we could still spot many singers from various countries, including the Soweto Gospel Choir from South Africa.

Singers did not only make up this single; in the video, there were also popular footballers like Lionel Messi, Didier Drogba, Kaká, Thierry Henry, Fernando Torres, Michael Ballack Frank Lampard, and Andrei Arshavin.

“One Day” by Matisyahu featuring Nameless

The popular Reggae fusion “One Day”, by the American reggae singer, Matisyahu, is one of the best songs to inspire hope and send a message of peace.

This heart-touching song was written by Philip Lawrence, Matthew Miller, Ari Levine, and Bruno Mars. And it features a lot of producers, including Adam Deitch, Eric Krasno, David Kahne, Di Genius, Fish and Norwood, Prince Ben, and Sly & Robbie. A lot of ’em right? Yeah, we thought so.
“One Day” album version has a runtime of 3:27 minutes; meanwhile, its pop edit featuring Akon has a runtime of 3:40 minutes.

Played at the 2010 FIFA World Cup featuring Nameless, the 3:28 minutes World Cup version rose to be one of the best songs for the football competition. Ever since, the song has gone out to be used in films, Olympic campaigns, martial fights entrances, and more.
Even to this day, playing the best songs from the FIFA 2010 World Cup strongly inspires hope and peace, often pushing you to throw in a few dance moves.

These songs will forever live in the heart of the billions of people who experienced the FIFA 2010 World Cup.