Wavin' Flag (World Cup edition)

[onela]

Is it me, or is Wavin' Flag the weirdest pop phenomena in a little while now?

For months I've been trying to figure out what that "and then it goes back" song from the CBC Radio tv commercial is. It's actually "Wavin' Flag" by K'naan which is apparently some kind of big hit or something (). Anyhow, all that aside, I think it's weird that Coca Cola would take a song about serious world issues and gentrify it with soccer (video above with Nancy Ajram for the Arabic-language version, original song lyrics in the video below). Wavin' Flag is about being from a country with serious political and social issues like poverty and war. I find this all a bit baffling. From billboard.biz:

Coca Cola "loved the song but noted that lyrical references to 'a violent prone, poor people zone' and people 'struggling, fighting to eat' didn't fit the campaign's themes"

I get not wanting a Debbie Downer of a song for the world cup theme song, and I guess ultimately I understand why K'naan would be happy to edit his work to suit his client's tastes (it's rough out there for Canadian artists who aren't mega-stars like Celine Dion) but I just think it's super weird to use this highly political song, which has been used as a charity single for relief efforts in Haiti, and really take out what I think is kind of the whole point of it.

 

[Mosaic]

I agree. You would think Coca-Cola with all their mega bucks could afford to have something specially written for them.
~Mosaic

 

[da Sage]

I hadn't heard either song before, but I like them both.

I think CocaCola wanted the rolling, building, yet peaceful sound of this song, so I understand why they asked for a lyric change instead of a whole new tune. It always surprises me (as an American) that people can get violent over soccer, so I think they were really trying to harness the music to promote a happy national pride and sense of strength instead of fueling a desire for conflict.

 

[Sita]

I find the dilution of the original Sad and the result a lil' chessy. In saying that I hope it provides more access to K'naan's other music like the song Somalia which is amazing!!!!


Sita

 

[onela]

I find the dilution of the original Sad and the result a lil' chessy. In saying that I hope it provides more access to K'naan's other music like the song Somalia which is amazing!!!!


Sita

Yeah, I didn't know anything about K'naan before today, I was pleasantly surprised to see that he's got some cool stuff in his repetoire.

 

[Shanazel]

It always surprises me (as an American) that people can get violent over soccer

Me, too. Americans save those emotions for important stuff like football and bull riding.

 

[onela]

Me, too. Americans save those emotions for important stuff like football and bull riding.

And hockey fights- you lot are just as bad as us hosers, eh?

 

[Reen.Blom]

I actually like how they redid it. I know cheesy and all, what is actually needed is some peace and a bit of 'idealism' in the world. Original stays original. And the copy is also good, IMHO.

South Africa has been through a rough political patch this year, and if soccer were to unite, then rather sings song of peace... I mean just one example...

 

[~Diana~]

Since I first heard this months and months ago its been related to the up coming soccer games. I think people are reading into the lyircs with a different twist then you guys are reading above.

 

[Sita]

Since I first heard this months and months ago its been related to the up coming soccer games. I think people are reading into the lyircs with a different twist then you guys are reading above.

Well I think it depends: the Will.I.am and David Guetta remix is very good and keeps I think that political awareness and senstivity.... but the Nancy one: well it's just not doing it for me.
But I think I am too critical and cycnical of such things... I know there are many positives to be had for both artist, song and listener when this type of record is released

Sita

 

[Shanazel]

And hockey fights- you lot are just as bad as us hosers, eh?

Well, judging from my brother-in-law's allegence to "his" Blackhawks, probably. :lol:

What's a hoser?

 

[onela]

Well I think it depends: the Will.I.am and David Guetta remix is very good and keeps I think that political awareness and senstivity.... but the Nancy one: well it's just not doing it for me.
But I think I am too critical and cycnical of such things... I know there are many positives to be had for both artist, song and listener when this type of record is released

Sita

I think I'm in the same boat as you. I get financially and publicity-wise why both (and the artists K'naan has worked with for the other language versions) did this, but it just seems to me that if you want a more upbeat song, then it's easier to start with an actually upbeat song that to completely gut a very political song and re-write the bits that aren't that happy.

What's a hoser?

 

[Shanazel]

I'm definitely not a hoser: I don't wear plaid (it makes me look like a recliner) and I don't drink beer.

 

[Sita]

I'm definitely not a hoser: I don't wear plaid (it makes me look like a recliner) and I don't drink beer.

Gotta be handy for fancy dress though: I bet u win all the dressing up prizes in your recliner costume :dance:

Sita

 

[Shanazel]

It'd be okay except when all those big overweight weekend sports nuts who drink beer try to sit on me to watch the game.

 

[Sita]

The price of having style, my friend

Sita

 

[Reen.Blom]

This is what I call off topic in style... could not figure out what thread im in.... LOL

 

[Kashmir]

New Zealand holds on

We are still in! I can't believe it. A draw with Italy.