Every World Cup has an official anthem, so Brazil 2014 decided to pair Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull with Brazilian pop star Claudia “Claudinha” Leitte. Foolproof, right?
Yet “We Are One (Ole Ola)” is a bit of a bust. Maybe because nine different writers — including Dr. Luke and Sia Furler — spoiled the broth? Maybe because the song is so damn generic? Maybe because the video looks like a cheap ad for a tour operator?
So Shakira took matters into her own hands and retooled her song “Dare (La La La)” into “La La La (Brazil 2014),” with a new guest spot by Brazilian musician Carlinhos Brown and a video featuring soccer stars Neymar, Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Shak’s own boyfriend Gerard Piqué. Also there are eagles and panthers and elephants, because Brazil’s chamber of commerce and FIFA aren’t going to have those.
No matter what, it sure is a big improvement on Shakira’s own “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” — which, as it happens, was the official song for the 2010 tournament.