"Wavin' Flag" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by K'naan | ||||
from the album Troubadour | ||||
Released | 18 March 2009 | |||
Recorded | June 2008 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:41 | |||
Label | A&M Octone | |||
Songwriter(s) | Keinan Abdi Warsame | |||
Producer(s) | ||||
K'naan singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Audio video | ||||
"Wavin' Flag" on YouTube |
"Wavin' Flag" is a song by Somali-Canadian artist K'naan from his album Troubadour (2009). The song was originally written for Somalia and aspirations of its people for freedom. The original single was a hit in Canada and reached number two on the Canadian Hot 100 as the second official single from the album, after the single "ABCs", a minor hit. After an earthquake in Haiti in 2010, a remake of the song by an ad hoc supergroup of Canadian artists, credited as Young Artists for Haiti, became a charity single in Canada, reaching number one on the Canadian Hot 100 in its own right.
The song became a global hit when it was chosen as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa. This amended international version with additional lyrics reached the top ten in more than twenty different charts around the world. The English version was released as "Wavin' Flag (Celebration Mix)" by K'naan to differentiate it from the original Canadian hit or from the Canadian Haiti charity hit. The Spanish cover featuring David Bisbal became very popular. A version of the song featuring will.i.am and David Guetta was targeted for international markets. Many other bilingual and country-specific versions were released, such as the Brazilian version featuring Skank singing in Portuguese. The song is also featured on the soundtrack of the game NBA 2K10.
In 2012, K'naan published a children's book, When I Get Older: The Story Behind Wavin' Flag, about the song and its history. [1]
The original single of "Wavin' Flag" appeared originally on his album Troubadour . The single reached number two on the Canadian Hot 100 as the second official single from the album, which was produced by Kerry Brothers Jr. and Bruno Mars. [2] K'naan first performed the song acoustically live on Q TV , where he gave viewers a preview of Troubadour prior to its release. [3] The lyrics of the original version are about the struggle of refugees displaced by war, with references to K'naan's native Somalia, in comparison to the later version used for the World Cup, where the lyrics were rewritten in a more celebratory tone. [4]
|
Chart (2010) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [6] | 21 |
"Wavin' Flag" | |
---|---|
Single by Young Artists for Haiti | |
Released | 12 March 2010 |
Recorded | 18 February 2010 |
Genre | |
Length | 3:55 |
Label | Universal Music Canada |
Songwriter(s) | K'naan |
Producer(s) | Bob Ezrin |
Music video | |
"Wavin' Flag" by Young Artists For Haiti on YouTube |
In 2010, the song was remade by a supergroup of Canadian artists, credited as Young Artists for Haiti , as a charity single to benefit relief efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. [7] The charity single was spearheaded by producer Bob Ezrin, engineered by Mike Fraser and was reworked to include specific lyrics for Haiti, including a rap solo by Drake. It was released on 12 March 2010 [8] with proceeds going to Free the Children, War Child Canada and World Vision Canada. This new version went straight to number one on the Canadian charts.
Participating soloists included K'naan, Nelly Furtado, Sam Roberts, Avril Lavigne, Pierre Bouvier, Tyler Connolly, Kardinal Offishall, Jully Black, Lights, Deryck Whibley, Serena Ryder, Jacob Hoggard, Emily Haines, Hawksley Workman, Drake, Chin Injeti, Ima, Pierre Lapointe, Elisapie Isaac, Esthero, Corb Lund, Fefe Dobson, Nikki Yanofsky, Matt Mays, Justin Nozuka, and Justin Bieber. Performing the chorus were Arkells, Lamar Ashe, Broken Social Scene, Torquil Campbell, Canadian Tenors, Aion Clarke, City and Colour, Tom Cochrane, Jim Cuddy, Jim Creeggan, Kathleen Edwards, Dave Faber, Jessie Farrell, Colin James, Pat Kordyback, Brandon Lehti, Colin MacDonald, Jay Malinowski, Stacey McKitrick, Suzie McNeil, Stephan Moccio, Kevin Parent, Josh Ramsay, Red 1, Hayley Sales, James Shaw, and Shiloh. [9] Students from Vancouver high schools Lord Byng Secondary and Magee Secondary also voluntarily participated by playing together as an orchestra. A music video was shot for the charity single at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. [10] In March 2011, the single won a Juno award for "Single of the Year".
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Wavin' Flag" | 3:55 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Wavin' Flag" (Live At Juno Awards 2010) (with K'naan) | 5:20 |
Chart (2010) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [12] | 1 |
UK Singles (OCC) [13] | 89 |
Chart (2010) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [14] | 19 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada) [15] | 3× Platinum | 120,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
"Wavin' Flag" (Celebration Mix) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by K'naan | ||||
from the album Troubadour: Champion Edition | ||||
Released | 30 April 2010 | |||
Recorded | 2009 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:38 | |||
Label | Universal | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | The Smeezingtons | |||
K'naan singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Wavin' Flag" (Celebration Mix) on YouTube |
In 2010, a remix of the song, titled the "Celebration Mix", was recorded for use as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa. [16] This version reached number one in Germany, Switzerland and Austria and number two in Italy, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Coca-Cola described the remix as "inspired by the joyous dance celebrations familiar to Africa." Coca-Cola integrated its jingle, well known from previous Coca-Cola commercials, into the mix, generating a direct association between the remixed song and the brand. New lyrics related to football were added, "let's rejoice in the Beautiful Game", and "see the champions take the field." [17] A music video shows people playing the game, and goal celebrations. The song was used throughout the tournament, and featured on all worldwide versions of the Coca-Cola campaign. The song was also played at events for the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, where K'naan performed this version live for the first time, and featured on the online digital platform for the World Cup. He also performed at the World Cup kick-off concert. The music video for the remix includes a guest appearance by Damian Marley.[ citation needed ] The remix video was recorded in Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, the site of the first 1930 FIFA World Cup Final. The remix version appears on the Champion Edition of Troubadour.
Although the remix features many elements of the original song, it includes most notably a new pre-chorus that sets the uplifting, unified tone of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, turning the song into one that is more open, more inviting and more celebratory. "I'm so proud of this [new] version," K'naan told Billboard.Biz. The new version also removes many of the darker lyrics of the original song. According to Billboard, 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". [18]
We took something like 50 drums and did this crazy mix for it. It's about the one time that we all get together and the world forgets its conflict and its problems and we focus on this unity and celebration. That moment is connected now to 'Wavin' Flag.'
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
"Wavin' Flag" (Celebration Mix) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by K'naan featuring will.i.am and David Guetta | ||||
from the album Troubadour: Champion Edition | ||||
Released | 14 May 2010 | |||
Genre | ||||
Label | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
K'naan singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
will.i.am singles chronology | ||||
|
A remix of "Wavin' Flag", which features French music producer David Guetta and American rapper, producer and the Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, was made for international release outside of Canada. will.i.am's solo parts were exclusively written for the international version, and for the K'naan part, some of the lyrics were amended. His version of the song was mixed by hit engineer Dylan "3-D" Dresdow. This version was later released as the B-side to the Celebration Mix. [59] The maxi-single CD also included the Spanish adaptation with the Spanish language verses written by Rafael Vergara and interpreted by David Bisbal.
The maxi single release track list: [60]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Wavin' Flag" (Celebration Mix) | The Smeezingtons | 3:33 | |
2. | "Wavin' Flag" (Celebration Mix; featuring will.i.am and David Guetta) |
|
| 3:30 |
3. | "Wavin' Flag" (Spanish Celebration Mix; featuring David Bisbal) | The Smeezingtons | 3:52 | |
4. | "Wavin' Flag" (album version) |
| 3:41 |
The version featuring will.i.am and David Guetta was released as the single B-side to "Wavin' Flag" (Celebration Mix) single release in Europe.
A separate music video was made for this version, with the artists performing in front of a large black flag. However some scenes were used from the original Canadian music video and from K'naan's "Wavin' Flag" (The Celebration Mix) music video intertwined with visuals of the new video.
Many bilingual versions of the Celebration Mix have been made, for use in each of their respective countries. The initial bilingual version was recorded by K'naan and Spanish singer David Bisbal, sung in both English and Spanish, and targeting all Spanish-speaking markets, including Spain, Mexico, Central and South America. This version was entitled the "Spanish Celebration Mix", and was officially made available for digital download in February 2010. As a part of the promotion, a music video of the Spanish Celebration Mix was filmed and released for the song. [61] Another version sung in both English and Arabic, featuring Nancy Ajram, a multi-platinum Lebanese singer and spokesperson for Coca-Cola Middle East, was released in all Middle Eastern Countries. This version, entitled the "Arabic Celebration Mix", also had a music video recorded for it. Scenes were filmed in Denmark, Portugal, Brazil, Lebanon and South Africa. [62] A Chinese version, featuring Jacky Cheung and Jane Zhang, reached #1 on China Music Chart, [63] and a Thai version, featuring Tattoo Colour, charted at #3 there.
Versions released under Coca-Cola sponsorship for 2010 FIFA World Cup: [64]
Unofficial releases collaborate with FIFA 2010 Coca-Cola campaign theme
Chart (2010) | Position |
---|---|
Austrian Singles Chart [85] | 4 |
Canadian Hot 100 [86] | 21 |
Dutch Singles Chart [87] | 11 |
European Hot 100 Singles [88] | 10 |
German Singles Chart [89] | 6 |
Hungarian Airplay Chart [90] | 86 |
Italian Singles Chart [91] | 34 |
Swiss Singles Chart [92] | 4 |
Spanish Singles Chart [93] | 17 |
UK Singles (OCC) [94] | 36 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada) [95] | 3× Platinum | 120,000* |
Germany (BVMI) [96] | 3× Gold | 450,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [97] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [98] | Platinum | 40,000* |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [99] | 2× Platinum | 60,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [100] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)" is a pop song (originally known as "True Love and Apple Pie") by British hit songwriters Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway, and sung by Susan Shirley.
Keinan Abdi Warsame, better known by his stage name K'naan, is a Somali-Canadian rapper, singer and filmmaker. He rose to prominence with the success of his single "Wavin' Flag", which was chosen as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Besides hip hop, K'naan's sound is influenced by elements of Somali music and world music. A Grammy Award-winning artist and FIPRESCI Prize-winning director, he is also involved in various philanthropic initiatives.
"Mambo!" is Helena Paparizou's fifth CD single and the first from her international album The Game of Love. There were two versions of the song; a Greek version and an English version. The Greek version was released in November 2005 in Greece and was a major hit going straight to number one for ten weeks including during Christmas. In total, the song charted for 23 weeks, leaving Helena with her most successful CD single to date. The single was released as a CD single and Sony BMG also re-released Helena's debut album Protereotita for a third time with her single under the name of Protereotita: Euro Edition + Mambo!.
"A Neverending Dream" is a 1996 song by German group X-Perience, released as the second single from their debut album, Magic Fields (1996). It charted in Germany, Hungary and Switzerland and was the band's biggest hit. The song entered the German Singles Chart at number 91, went to number four in October/November 1996, and spent over 18 weeks in the charts. Over 350,000 copies of the singles were sold in Germany and the single was eventually certified Gold. On the Eurochart Hot 100, "A Neverending Dream" peaked at number 29 in December 1996. A music video was also produced to promote the single.
Nicole Rachel "Nikki" Yanofsky is a Canadian jazz-pop singer from Montreal, Quebec. She sang the CTV Olympic broadcast theme song, "I Believe", which was also the theme song of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. She also performed at the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympics and at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games. She has released four studio albums to date, including Nikki in 2010, Little Secret in 2014, Turn Down the Sound in 2020, and Nikki By Starlight in 2022.
"First Time" is a song by American singer Robin Beck from her second album, Trouble or Nothin' (1989). The song was released as a single in July 1988 and was originally recorded for a Coca-Cola commercial in 1987. In the United Kingdom, the power ballad climbed to No. 1 and spent three weeks there in November and December 1988, spending 14 weeks on the UK Singles Chart in total. The song additionally reached number one in Austria, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and West Germany. Despite being also released as a single in the US and critically praised by Billboard, it failed to chart due to business political differences between Mercury Records and Coca-Cola wanting to promote either First Time or Save Up All Your Tears, according to Beck's interview with Rock Eyez in 2009.
American musician will.i.am has released four studio albums, one compilation, 59 singles, nine promotional singles, and 58 music videos.
"Fascination" is the first single released by Danish pop group Alphabeat. It was first released in Denmark on 6 June 2006, followed by a worldwide release on 16 May 2008. The song reached number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.
Troubadour is the second studio album by Somali-Canadian hip hop artist K'naan, released February 24, 2009. The album features performances by Kirk Hammett, Chubb Rock, Chali 2na, Mos Def, Damian Marley, and Adam Levine. Production was completed by Track and Field, a team composed of R&B artists Gerald Eaton and Brian West.
The discography of K'naan, a Somali Canadian rapper and singer, consists of four studio albums, one live album, one extended play and 22 singles.
Young Artists for Haiti was a movement to engage Canada's young musicians to continue to inspire an ongoing effort and contribution to Canadian charities for their work to help the people of Haiti overcome the devastation from the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that rocked the country on January 12, 2010. More than 50 Canadian artists gathered at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, British Columbia to record a rendition of renowned hip hop artist K'naan's "Wavin' Flag".
"Perfect" is a song by recorded by Canadian pop rock band Hedley for their third studio album, The Show Must Go (2009). Lead singer Jacob Hoggard co-wrote the song with David Bendeth and Dave Genn, while Bendeth co-produced the track with Brian Howes. It was first released on February 8, 2010 through Universal Music Canada as the record's third single. "Perfect" was released in the United States through Island Records on August 10, 2010 as the group's first official single in that country.
The Smeezingtons were an American songwriting and record production team consisting of Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine formed in 2009. The Smeezingtons were established in Los Angeles, California; the trio primarily served as the producers for the singles and albums of Mars, with additional work for diverse range of artists. Eventually, the trio split, and Mars and Lawrence formed a successor production trio with Christopher Brody Brown called "Shampoo Press & Curl".
"Shout" is 2010 single by Shout for England, an ensemble featuring Dizzee Rascal and James Corden. It was an unofficial anthem of the England football team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The song contains extracts from the Tears for Fears song of the same name and "No Diggity" by Blackstreet and features additional lyrics written by Rascal. It was published by Syco Music in association with the telecommunications company TalkTalk.
Canadian singer and songwriter Lights has released six studio albums, three acoustic albums, eight extended plays, 39 singles, and 30 music videos. Lights began her career as a songwriter, penning songs for the television series Instant Star. She released a self-titled EP in 2008 on the independent record label Underground Operations. Two singles, "Drive My Soul" and "February Air", were released from the EP: "Drive My Soul" reached number 18 on the Canadian singles chart and was certified gold by Music Canada (MC).
"Summer Paradise" is a song by Canadian rock band Simple Plan, featuring Somali-Canadian rapper K'Naan or Jamaican reggae artist Sean Paul. It was released on December 13, 2011, in Australia as the third official single from their fourth studio album, Get Your Heart On! (2011). It was written by Emanuel Kiriakou, Keinan Warsame and the band and produced by Brian Howes. The song is a reggae and ska punk-based track and it was inspired by the band vocalist's hobby of surfing. It was released in Australia with an accompanying music video with shots of the "Get Your Heart On Tour!" and scenes of the band in Barbados and on the beach. The track was released in the United Kingdom as the lead single.
Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram has released twelve studio albums, four live albums, one compilation album, two reissues and 61 singles. As of 2007, she has sold 30 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling Middle Eastern music artists. Numerous of Ajram's singles have reached number one on several Arabic music charts, including Hit Marker and The Official Lebanese Top 20. By 2010, Ajram was announced the best-selling Middle Eastern female singer of the decade (2000–2009).
Samuël Adebiyi, better known by his stage name Féfé, is a French singer and rapper.
"Cola" is a song by CamelPhat and Elderbrook, released as a single on 17 June 2017 by Defected Records. It was recorded, co-written, and produced by the British electronic house duo CamelPhat featuring vocals from Alexander "Elderbrook" Kotz, who was also a co-writer of the track.
"Colors" is a song by American singer and songwriter Jason Derulo. It was the Coca-Cola promotional anthem for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The song was released on March 9, 2018. On April 12, 2018, Derulo performed the song live during a medley with "Tip Toe" and "Swalla" at the German Echo Music Prize. A Spanglish version with Colombian singer Maluma was released on April 13, 2018.