No matter how successful a song is, when it is associated with a phenomenon we love, it becomes automatically “The song of”. Think for example of those who grew up in the 90s, who couldn’t listen to All You Need is Love by Beatles without hearing the unforgettable voice of Alberto Castagna announcing: “Welcome to a new episode of Strangelove”. The phenomenon was also repeated with Deep Purple’s Smoke on the water, for many it became “Lucignolo’s song on Italia1”. So today we want to talk to you about “FIFA songs”the unmistakable ones, which already listening to the first notes bring to mind the controllers destroyed after a goal immediately and the voices of the reporters.
In addition to being a tribute to these songs, and to our childhood, this article also wants to pay homage to the history of the franchise. A football video game series that, with the upcoming FIFA 23 out on September 27th 2022, will put an end to its history. An era that therefore ends, with the conclusion of the multi-year collaboration between EA Sports (zzenegheim) and the International Federation of Football Association.
The most iconic FIFA songs
Blur – Song 2: FIFA ’98
We could say with certainty, without fear of being proven wrong, that Song 2 by Blur is the quintessential FIFA song. Despite the enormous popularity of the band led by Damon Albarn, the song is synonymous with the beautiful opening sequence of FIFA ’98: Road to World Cup. It was the year of the World Cup, and the King of France – paraphrasing a song by Antonello Venditti – was a Brazilian called Luis Nazario da Lima, aka Ronaldo. For all Il Fenomeno. WHOOOOOHO.
Caesars – Jerk it out: FIFA 2004
Although for the intro of FIFA 2004 the beautiful Red Morning Light of the then very young people was chosen Kings of Leonthe song that remains in the hearts of the nostalgic of the game is Jerk it out by the Swedish band Caesars. Just make it resonate to review that cover with that attack trident of dreams: Del Piero, Hanry e Ronaldinho. If we had to describe this passage in one word this would be: Paaaapapapapaaaaaaaaapaaaapapapapàààà.
Kasabian – Club Foot: FIFA 13
I Kasabian are avid fans of Leicester City, and the Italian-born guitarist Sergio Pizzorno has even appeared at the stadium to support his Genoa. It is therefore not surprising that the band, which recently resumed live activity without the historic frontman Tom Meighan, presents one of its most famous songs among the most iconic songs of FIFA.
Fatboy Slim – Rockafeller Skank: FIFA ’99
With an atmosphere reminiscent of that of a gladiator before entering the Colosseum, the FIFA 99 intro begins with sumptuous music before exploding to the tune of Rockafeller Skank by Fatboy Slim. The game had the responsibility of closing the millennium with a bang, and never was the choice more apt.
Chumbawamba – Tubthumping: FIFA World Cup ’98
World Cup ’98 should not be confused with FIFA ’98: Road to World Cup (with which we opened the article). This title is in fact the first official FIFA-licensed EA Sports video game. Often considered out of the official FIFA saga, we have also decided to include it on our list for its intro dedicated to the World Championships in France ’98, with the unmistakable Tubthumping hit by Chumbawamba. OOOOOH DANNY BOYYYYY, I GET KNOCKED OUT BUT I GET UP AGAIN!
Kasabian – LSF: FIFA 2004
Yep, nine years before FIFA 13 i Kasabian they had already loaned a song to the franchise. And what a song: LSF, which stands for Lost Souls Forever, the third single from the band’s debut album from Leicester. This is the same album that will deliver them to the world as one of the most interesting rock realities on the global scene.
Apollo 440 – Stop the rock: FIFA 2000
Probably the name Apollo 440 it won’t say much to most people, but click on play and you’ll find yourself in front of the projection of Vincenzo Montella that makes the airplane with the national team shirt on the cover of FIFA 2000, the first game of the franchise to arrive in the new millennium, with the unmistakable voices of Massimo Caputi e Giacomo Bulgarelli.
Bloc Party: Helicopter: FIFA 06
All the inderock of the British Block Party, with their alternating guitars and mercilessly pounding electric bass. Not bad for the video game that decided to place the emerging Manchester United star on the cover Wayne Rooney together with the veteran Ronaldinho.
KIDS – MGMT: FIFA 09
With a series of particularly hypnotic synth notes, the MGMT sign the soundtrack of FIFA 09, with what will mark the arrival to the general public of a band of crazy hipster.
Stone Roses – Fools Gold: FIFA 2004
Of the impact of Stone Roses there will never be enough talk about a whole British music scene. It is they, after all, who created the context that led to the creation of Oasis. So it seems absurd to say, but with the spectacular FIFA 2004 soundtrack, full of spectacular songs, you could almost forget about Fools Gold, at least until the song begins of course. Then it is immediately Totti who passes the ball to Vieri to win a world championship never played in real life.
Tribalistas – I already know how to date : FIFA 2004
And since we are in 2004: let’s stay there! The Brazilians tribalists, between Festivalbar and FIFA, that year they made themselves well known by the Italian public. What nostalgia. On the contrary: what saudagi.
The Streets – Fit But You Know It: FIFA 2005
The irresistible British accent of Mike Skinneralias The Streetscloses this list of songs that stink of irresistible nostalgia.
We know that we have probably left out many songs that have marked your afternoons playing FIFA, so leave us in the comments which song, in your opinion, should not have been missing.