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Brazilian Soccer Fans Not Happy with Pitbull's 2014 World Cup Theme Song

Dan Carson

Brazilian soccer fans are looking for a proper World Cup theme—preferably one with more Portuguese lyrics and less Pitbull.

According to a Deutsche Welle report, fans of the host country are disappointed in the tournament’s theme song, a pop anthem titled “We Are One (Ole Ola)” featuring Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte.

The general consensus, it would appear, is that the dominantly English lyrics and a flimsy pop beat don’t properly represent Brazil and its rich musical history.

Among the complaints is that the song and its corresponding video are filled with “semi-naked women,” Samba and other Brazilian cliches.

The biggest problem with the song, however, is that it’s not...good.

Deutsche Welle’s staff writes that Brazilian tastemakers can’t get with it. 

“Music journalist and DJ Leka Peres described it as [a] bundle of cliches, and colleague Gaia Passarelli referred to it as a ‘bad, boring, replaceable pop song’ that [missed] the chance to do something inspirational and cool had been missed.”

Indeed, there’s something about a song full of whistles and singers with strong ties to other Latin nations that may come as a letdown for Brazil. 

And while the Twitterverse is always tough on any creative endeavor, the 2014 World Cup theme song has been the subject of overwhelming criticism. 

Fans across the Internet seem to have come to the consensus that “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”—2010’s theme song by Shakira—was a vastly superior hit to the Pitbull/Lopez collaboration.

As for Lopez’s performance at the World Cup opening ceremonies on Thursday, the Associated Press (h/t Fox News) reports the singer will be on hand to belt out the new anthem. 

“I’m coming. I leave tonight. We always were going,” Lopez told the Associated Press on Tuesday, dispelling rumors that she had canceled her appearance at the ceremonies. “I think people get anxious, especially with me and my schedule when I’m like ‘Ah, OK, I can leave this day, that day, I don’t know if we can make it.’”

I guess when you’re Jenny from the Block, you can wait until 48 hours prior to showtime to confirm your gig at the biggest sporting event in the world. 

As for the song, Lopez blames credits Pitbull for the whole thing. 

“I can’t take credit for this,” Lopez said. “This was one of Pitbull’s call-ins. He had this record and he’s like ‘I think this record could be great for the World Cup...will you do it with me?’”

Let this be a lesson, sports fans: When in doubt, blame Pitbull. It will always work.

On the Twitters.

   

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