MUSIC: Waving Flag

This is the third in a four part series.

Arguably the most international of all the FIFA 2010 World Cup anthems, "Waving Flag" involves so many countries, one almost needs a globe. A take-off on Somali-born Canadian, K'naan's hit song of the same title, and featuring Spaniard David Bisbal, the song weaves Spanish and English lyrics together to create an encouraging piece aimed not only at victory, but at the spirit of international competition.

As Bisbal sings in Spanish:

En las calles,
Muchas manos,
Levantadas celebrando,
Una fiesta sin descanso,
Los paìses
Como hermanos!

Which K'naan echoes later when he sings:

In the streets our
Hands are lifted,
As we lose our,
Inhibitions,
celebration is
All around us,
Every nation
All around us!

A constant reminder of how important and exciting this tournament is for many people the world over!

Sergio del Limonar

MUSIC: "Wavin' Flag" charity cover

Toronto (by way of Somalia) artist, K'naan, has been making waves all over the music world with his unique style of hip-hop as well as the messages of his songs. His internationally released second album, Troubadour, have down well in the both the US and Canada and has had several hit singles. One of these, "Wavin' Flag" was selected as the 2010 FIFA World Cup theme song. But K'naan clearly wasn't done working with this catchy and inspiring hit; the songs latest incarnation isn't going to do anything to impede skyrocketing career any either!

Joining together various other Canadian artists in a "We Are The World"-like fashion, the Young Artists for Haiti charity campaign re-worked the tune as a fundraiser and tribute to the earthquake ravaged people of the Caribbean island nation. Featuring performers such as Nelly Furtado, Avril Levigne, Kardinal Offishal, Deryck Whibley (Sum 41), Fefe Dobson, and Justin Bieber (yeah, I know) among others Canadians are probably more familiar with, the recording couldn't come at a better time, as it seems our collective attention span has forgotten the number of people still in dire straights that still need assistance. Rapper/singer Drake asks it best with the new line "how come when the media stops coverin', and there's a little help from the government, we forget about the people still strugglin', and we assume that's really all love again?"

Buy this single on iTunes and support the rebuilding efforts, especially if you didn't want to get the remade "We Are The World" abomination, as good as the cause was!

Sergio del Limónar