"We Are One" is a song recorded by Cuban American rapper Pitbull for One Love, One Rhythm – The
2014 FIFA World Cup Official Album.
It is the official song of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and features guest vocals from American
entertainer Jennifer Lopez and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte.
The song was written by Pitbull, Thomas Troelsen, Lopez, Leitte, Daniel Murcia, Sia Furler,
Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, Henry "Cirkut" Walter and RedOne, while production was handled
by Gottwald, Walter, and Troelsen.
Whilst receiving positive reviews from critics, the song has received some negative reactions
from Brazilians over its lack of Brazilian feeling.
"We Are One" has experienced moderate commercial success, reaching the top-twenty in countries
including Italy, Spain, Germany, France and Austria.
Background and release On January 22, 2014, FIFA and Sony Music Entertainment
announced that "We Are One" would serve as the official song of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
At the occasion, Pitbull said: "I'm honored to join Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte
at the FIFA World Cup to bring the world together.
I truly believe that this great game and the power of music will help unify us, because
we are best when we are one."
Lopez said Pitbull asked her to join the song, "I can't take credit for this.
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.
He's like, 'Will you do it with me?'
And I go, 'Yeah, of course.'"
A solo version of the song featuring only Pitbull leaked online on February 2.
On April 8, Pitbull tweeted an iTunes Store link to the track, debuting the song.
Critical response Carl Williott of Idolator opined that there
is too much of Pitbull in the song, and not enough Lopez or Leitte.
He, however, stated that the song is an upgrade from Shakira's "Waka Waka", the official song
of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Fuse.tv wrote that similarly to "Waka Waka", the song "blends the feel of the tournament's
hosting country with an accessible, exciting pop sound that has instant repeat appeal".
Judy Cantor-Navas of Billboard described the song as "surprisingly breezy", with Spin noting
it to contain the "rah-rah international unity you'd expect for a Cup song".
Luís Antônio Giron of Época, criticized the album saying "maybe I'm wrong and Brazil
only crave to be the same as what FIFA wants it to be.
Brazil is fifaliza."
And praised Latin composition, "bomb on any track."
The song has received some criticism from Brazilian and football fans over its tone
and lyrics, particularly with the lyrics and video being labeled as a "big pile of clichés",
and its failure to pay homage to Brazil's own rich musical heritage.
Such criticism has pointed out the small amount of actual Portuguese lyrics involved, and
critics stating their confusion to why "were Cuban-American rapper Pitbull and Bronx-born
Puerto Rican singer Jennifer Lopez, were chosen for the song when there are so many other
great musicians in the land of Bossa Nova.", as well as it's "reinforcement of stereotypes
with smiling, barefoot children and semi-naked, samba-dancing women".
Music video In February 2014, Pitbull, Leitte and Lopez
shot the music video for "We Are One" in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States.
It was released on May 16, 2014.
Live performances
Pitbull, Lopez and Leitte performed "We Are One" at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards on
18 May 2014.
They also performed the song at the 2014 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony on June 12 in Arena
Corinthians, São Paulo, prior to the Brazil v. Croatia match.
However, due to the amount of noise made by dancers and poor quality stadium aesthetics,
some spectators had difficulty hearing the vocals.
Track listing
Digital download
"We Are One" – 3:42
Digital download — remix
"We Are One" – 3:56
Digital download — opening ceremony version
"We Are One" – 5:21 Credits and personnel
Recording Engineered at Al Burna's Extreme Mobile Recording
Studio; eigthysevenfourteen Studios, Los Angeles, California; Luke's in the Boo, Malibu, California;
Miami Lights Studio, Miami, Florida; and Delta Lab Studios, Copenhagen, Denmark
Pitbull vocals recorded at Al Burna's Extreme Mobile Recording Studio, Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic Mixed at MixStar Studios, Virginia Beach,
Virginia Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York City,
New York Personnel
Charts and certifications Release history
References
External links Brazilian star Claudia Leitte to perform with
Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez on the official song for the 2014 FIFA World Cup at fifa.com
Official Music Video on YouTube Text and translation of the song