WAKA WAKA (THIS TIME FOR AFRICA / ESTO ES AFRICA)

by Shakira with Freshlyground, Music Lyrics and Video



Waka Waka is the official song for the FIFA World Cup 2010 which will take place between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa.

Shakira samples an African song, Zangalewa, and keeps the African voices in the chorus.

Shakira will participate in June 2010, at the opening concert of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa with other artists like Alicia Keys, John Legend and the Black Eyed Peas. The song Time for Africa / Esto es África (Waka Waka) has been recorded specially for the occasion with South African group Freshlyground and will be the official anthem of the competition. As in 2006, Shakira also participate in the tournament’s final concert.



The Waka Waka Shakira music video premiered on June 6, 2010



"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" is a song by Colombian singer Shakira, featuring South African band Freshlyground. It was the official song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, along with its Spanish language version, titled "Waka Waka (Esto es África)". Released on May 11 for digital download, the song received generally positive critical reception, and became a worldwide hit.

It was later included on Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album which was released on May 31, 2010. The K-Mix version of the song was also included on Shakira's seventh studio album, Sale el Sol. "Waka Waka" was performed by Shakira and Freshlyground at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-Off concert in Soweto on June 10, 2010, and at the final on July 11, 2010.



Shakira performing Waka Waka in Manchester, UK on December 14, 2010 during The Sun Comes Out World Tour



"Waka Waka" is based upon a traditional African soldiers' song named Zangalewa, a 1986 makossa hit for Cameroonian group Golden Sounds. The song was officially chosen as the anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. About this, Shakira said, "I am honored that 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' was chosen to be part of the excitement and the legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup."

"Waka Waka" was written by Shakira and John Hill and co-produced by Hill. The track, which samples the chorus of the 1986 Cameroonian hit song "Zangaléwa", by Cameroonian band Golden Sounds, features Afro-Colombian instrumentation, Soca beat and South African guitars. The song consists of rhythmical African sounds, and represents the vitality and energy of the host continent. According to the sheet music published in Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the song is set in the time signature of common time, with a metronome of 128 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of D major with Shakira's vocal range spanning from the low-note of G3 to the high-note of A5.

Here is the official video for the song, this is the English version.

Shakira: Waka Waka Lyrics

You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up
And dust yourself off
Get back in the saddle

You're on the front line
Everyone's watching
You know it's serious
We are getting closer
This isn't over

The pressure is on
You feel it
But you got it all
Believe it

When you fall get up, oh oh
If you fall get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Cuz this is Africa
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Listen to your God
This is our motto
Your time to shine
Don't wait in line
Y vamos por todo

People are raising
Their expectations
Go on and feed them
This is your moment
No hesitations

Today's your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it

If you get down get up, oh oh
When you get down get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

Full song Spanish Version

Shakira - Waka Waka (Esto es Africa) Lyrics

Llego el momento, caen las murallas
Va a comenzar la unica justa de la batallas
No duele el golpe, no existe el miedo
Quitate el polvo, ponte de pie y vuelves al ruedo

Y la presion que sientes
Espera en ti, tu gente!
Ahora vamos por todo
y te acompaña la suerte
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Porque esto es Africa

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Porque esto es Africa

Oye a tu dios
y no estaras solo
llegas aqui para brillar
lo tienes todo
la hora se acerca
es el momento
Vas a ganar cada batalla
ya lo presiento

Hay que empezar de cero
para tocar el cielo
Ahora vamos por todo
Y todos vamos por ellos
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Porque esto es Africa

Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Porque esto es Africa



Shakira Shakira singing Waka Waka during the closing ceremony of the World Cup



"Waka Waka" is based upon a traditional African soldiers' song named Zangalewa, a 1986 makossa hit for Cameroonian group Golden Sounds. The song was officially chosen as the anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. About this, Shakira said, "I am honored that 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' was chosen to be part of the excitement and the legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup."

"Waka Waka" was written by Shakira and John Hill and co-produced by Hill. The track, which samples the chorus of the 1986 Cameroonian hit song "Zangaléwa", by Cameroonian band Golden Sounds, features Afro-Colombian instrumentation, Soca beat and South African guitars. The song consists of rhythmical African sounds, and represents the vitality and energy of the host continent. According to the sheet music published in Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the song is set in the time signature of common time, with a metronome of 128 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of D major with Shakira's vocal range spanning from the low-note of G3 to the high-note of A5.