Summary: The official song of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is called “We Are One,” by Cuban-American rapper Pitbull, featuring Jennifer Lopez and the Brazilian pop star Claudia Leitte. The response to it has been, well, pretty underwhelming. Soundcheck host John Schaefer and Mark Wheat of Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current take a listen to some of the more... interesting... anthem alternatives put forth by musicians from across the globe. On the viral hit song "Zinedine Zidane," with music by Australian band Vaudeville Smash: They had this massive viral smash with a video which is just mind-blowing. They have this guy, Les Murray, who's an Aussie radio host, and he's saying the names of great players all through. It becomes like poetry, which I really enjoyed. On the Belgian pop anthem "Ta Fête," by the singer-songwriter Stromae: They're kind of one of the outsiders. All the experts are saying everyone's gonna watch for Belgium. I'm psyched because the Belgian team shares the nickname with my favorite soccer team, Manchester United, of "The Red Devils." They got great bobble heads of [Marouane] Fellaini. They have the soccer guys acting in this video, and they all pull it off pretty geniusly. On the American chant, written by Rancid drummer Branden Steineckert: As an Englishman, I stand responsible for that sound. That's exactly what I had to put up with for years and years when I was a kid. That kind of chant of song being made, usually sung by the team no less. I appreciate the enthusiasm that he's coming out in support of the USA team. On the World Cup version of the Monty Python song "Always Look At The Bright Side Of Life": It's a bad omen that the English team don't really have a song that they can take to the World Cup, except, of course, my old buddies Monty Python. Coincidentally, they are performing live for the first time in over 20 years during the World Cup. They've got sold out shows in London throughout July. Someone had to stand up and do something, stiff upper lip, and Monty Python stepped forward with a new verse of an old song -- but it's a good one.
