There are many, many FIFA songs that I like and love. So many that this was originally going to be a top 10 with 3 honorable mentions, but it ended up being a top 20 with 5 honorable mentions. To make this top 20, I went through six steps: First, I listened to the whole soundtrack, from FIFA International Soccer (aka FIFA94) to FIFA18 (not on its entirely, of course. I'd listen to a little bit of each one and skipped the ones that I already knew. I am pretty sure the whole soundtrack of the franchise has more than 72 hours put together) and created a YouTube playlist with all the FIFA songs that I liked (a total of 121 songs). Then, the second step was to cut that to half (but my math sucks, so I ended up keeping 63 songs instead of 60) and crated another playlist out of it. Next, I shortened it to the songs I was pretty sure I loved (playlist here, shortened to 42 songs). Then, the last steps were choosing 25 songs out of those 42, score them, put them in order of score, and finally, I ranked the ones which had the same score. And voilá, my top 20 was done. It was really difficult to make this list, and it took me probably more than a week. So, having said this, let's jump right into what you're here for!
- 20th
Song: Club Foot
Artist: Kasabian
Album: Kasabian (2004)
Genres: Indie Rock, Post-Punk Revival, Space Rock
FIFA: 13
More: Club Foot is such a nostalgic song to me. I know it better for being the opening theme of WRC Rally Evolved, a PS2 video game that was part of my childhood, being part of my life since I was 3. Plus, my brother used to listen to this song all the time, and one of my biggest influences when it comes to music taste is my brother's taste from back when he was a teenager. When I bought FIFA 13 for PS3 and listened to this song, I was pretty happy.
But I don't like it for the nostalgia, only. It has a really fucking great energy, typical of Post-Punk Revival, but it is one of the only songs I know that mix Post-Punk Revival and Space Rock, and I loved it, even though Space Rock is not really my jam. About the meaning of the lyrics, according to songwriter Serge Pizzorno, they are about "loving a woman so much you want to kill it".
Oh, also, fun fact: Fernando Torres, a famous Spanish footballer which plays in Atletico Madrid nowadays, once said that, during the 2010 World Cup, in South Africa, this song would play in the dressing room in order to put players "in the zone". I thought this would be a fun fact, since we are talking about the soundtrack of a football video game. - 19th
Song: 11:33
Artist: The Gift
Album: Am-Fm (2005)
Genres: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock
FIFA: 06
More: Well, I only got to know that FIFA had a Portuguese song (sang in English, though) on their soundtrack this week, when I checked the whole soundtrack for the first time. It got me by surprise. I still remember this song being on MTV Portugal all the time back in 2005. It has a memorable music video, which I liked a lot back then (and still do). The song itself fits well on FIFA 06's soundtrack, which is totally different from the most recent FIFAs' because, well, music industry itself changed since then. Hell, even The Gift changed a lot from 2005 to now! They used to be pretty Indie Rock and sang in English, but now they are way less Rock, and started to sing in Portuguese. But I think it was the right call, they had way more success with Portuguese hits like Primavera than with songs like 11:33. - 18th
Song: Purple Yellow Red & Blue
Artist: Portugal. The Man
Album: Evil Friends (2013)
Genres: Psychedelic Rock, Psychedelic Pop, Progressive Rock, Neo-Psychedelica
FIFA: 14
More: Portugal. The Man are a familiar face on FIFA already. They had a total of three songs featured on the franchise (besides this one, Got It All and Live In The Moment). And I get why: It's (specially) because of the very artistic, hipster and enjoyable soundtrack.Weirdly, hipster songs are the ones which fit the best on FIFA's soundtrack.The meaning of the song? Drugs. The song is basically about Josh Gourley wanting to have some ecstasy. He also talks about his ambitions on being successful, even though he's hopeless. - 17th
Song: Youth
Artist: Glass Animals
Album: How To Be A Human Being (2016)
Genres: Indie Pop, Art Pop, Indietronica, Dream Pop
FIFA: 17
More: Surprisingly enough, there was a time I actually disliked Glass Animals. But with time, I ended up liking them. My absolute favourite Glass Animals will always be Pork Soda, and I even think it would fit better on FIFA than Youth, but it's still good. It has those Indietronica vibes that are always present somewhere on every FIFA soundtrack. Also, the Dream Pop vibe gives something to the track.
About the lyrics, Youth is a song sung from a parent to their child, about nostalgia and the ups and downs of childhood. - 16th
Song: Movin' Up
Artist: X-Wife
Album: X-Wife (2018)
Genres: Alternative Rock, Post-Punk
FIFA: 16
More: One more Portuguese band on the way! To be honest, I only got to know this band because of FIFA, and only learnt that they are Portuguese when I searched them up like, yesterday. Movin' Up is a great Post-Punk song. They remind me a bit of the legends of Post-Punk, Joy Division, but way more happier and without the Gothic Rock and Synth-Pop vibes. They also remind me of Wallows, other great Post-Punk band, except it is not so teenage-directed.
The happy guitar riffs gives this song a lot of personality and makes it perfect for a franchise like FIFA, where the happy instrumentals are essential. - 15th
Song: Fit But You Know It
Artist: The Streets
Album: A Grand Don't Come For Free (2004)
Genres: Indie Rock, Rap Rock, Alternative Hip-Hop, British Hip-Hop, UK Garage
FIFA: 05
More: This song is pretty much the anthem of British Hip-Hop. Pretty funny lyrics, an instrumental that gets stuck on your head (same with the chorus). Also, something really captivating about this song is Mike Skinner's Birmingham accent. Seriously now, this song has everything to be inside my head for ages!
About the lyrics, they are about a girl Skinner found while waiting in a queue of a fast-food restaurant, describing her as extremely fit ("See, I reckon you're about an eight or a nine/Maybe even nine and a half in four beers' time") but also as extremely arrogant because of that ("You're fit, but my gosh, don't you know it?").He tries to flirt her and fails miserably, as she goes in her direction just to end up "into the arms of that fucking white shirted man". After realizing that he just mugged himself, Skinner basically said that he didn't care, even ending up (in my interpretation) lying to her, saying "Why do I give a fuck, I got a girlfriend anyway" called Stella (let me remind you that there is a beer brand called Stella Artoris, and I have the feeling Skinner was pretty drunk while on this situation. Plus, he went there to get some "chips and drinks").
But yeah, a song which gets stuck in your head and with very funny lyrics. Good pick from FIFA. - 14th
Song: Isombard
Artist: Declan McKenna
Album: What Do You Think About The Car? (2017)
Genres: Indie Rock, Post-Britpop, Synth-Pop, Neo-Psychedelica, Electropop
FIFA: 17
More: Honestly, I really fucking love Declan McKenna. He is very, very talented and one of the most promising Indie artists out there.His debut album, What Do You Think About The Car?, was a pretty great album, and its 4th single, Isombard, is not an exception. This is one of the very few of his songs aboarding sociopolitics, together with Brazil and Paracetamol. Isombard is about police brutality and xenophobia, and specially about a news reporter of FOX News who tried to justify those two things. According to Declan, that reporter was "completely fumbling over his words and not really knowing what he's talking about".
About the instrumental, it is very interesting. You can spot many different genres there, such as Post-Britpop and Neo-Psychedelica. Also, even though I'd like to headlight an instrument, I can't. The drums fit very well the electronic beats, which are fantastic, the bass is absolutely insane, and the guitar only appears in key moments of the song, doing a simple rhythmic role that add a lot to the song. Also, it gives you that FIFA vibe. An excellent song to choose your initial 11 and tactics to (the last time I did that while listening to this song, though, I lost 4-1 against a person who doesn't even know how to play because my starters sucked... and because, unfortunately, I suck at FIFA. I want to believe it was because of Declan). - 13th
Song: deadcrush
Artist: alt-J
Album: Relaxer (2017)
Genres: Indietronica
FIFA: 18
More: Honestly, this is one of my favourite Indietronica songs of all time. It was composed in a very smart way and I do think they re-invented themselves with deadcrush and the whole Relaxer album. Also, even if well hidden, the backing vocals were snag by the frontwoman of Indie Rock band Wolf Alice: Ellie Roswell. Now the lyrics have a funny meaning: It is about a game the band likes to play when they ask the question "What historical figure would you want to take on a date if she was alive today", and so the name of the song is deadcrush. (What's yours, by the way? It got me curious. Comment it below). - 12th
Song: Tell Her Tonight
Artist: Franz Ferdinand
Album: Franz Ferdinand (2004)
Genres: Indie Rock, Dance-Punk, Post-Punk Revival
FIFA: 05
More: Old classic Franz Ferdinand. They are very recognizable for their early stages, with songs that had pretty much always the same formula. A Post-Punk Revival song with a strong influence on Dance-Punk, and of course, the Indie Rock vibes that made them so popular. I admit that having their two first album with exact same formula can be a double-edged sword. If people like one of their songs, they will almost for sure like their other songs, but on the other hand they end up being quite forgettable, because they all sound "the same". That's probably the main reason why Take Me Out is their only reasonably popular song in 2018.
For instance, Tell Her Tonight is pretty similar to Take Me Out, except the second one is a bit more energetic, with more Post-Punk Revival than Dance-Punk, while Take Me Out is the opposite: More Dance-Punk than Post-Punk Revival. Still, Take Her Tonight is still an excellent song and a great pick from FIFA, specially for that time. - 11th
Song: Helicopter
Artist: Bloc Party
Album: Silent Alarm (2005)
Genres: Indie Rock, Garage Rock, Post-Punk Revival
FIFA: 06
More: If you are a fan of Contemporary Rock, then it is impossible for you to be indifferent to Bloc Party, very specially their debut album, Silent Alarm. It is considered by many an album to listen before you die. I get why. It is one of the most energetic albums I've ever listened to. Songs like Like Eating Glass, Price of Gas and Helicopter are some of the band's favourites (not most popular. Fan's favourites!) because of that same reason: Uncontrollable energy. They then decided to change their style to something calmer and more electronic (their second album is my favourite because of that and their third album is my less favourite because of that, too. Because they exaggerated) and on their fourth album (entitled Four), they tried to recreate that Silent Alarm vibe, mixing it with Art Punk, but the big fans of the first album where not as fond with it as Bloc Party probably thought they would.
But yeah, I get why FIFA chose Helicopter. Because of the energy. Because of that Post-Punk Revival and Garage Rock mix they used to do so fucking well. - 10th
Song: Mess Is Mine
Artist: Vance Joy
Album: Dream Your Life Away (2014)
Genres: Indie Pop, Indie Folk
FIFA: 15
More: To be honest, between the whole top 20, this is the one I think fits the less in FIFA, but I still find it an excellent song. A very good Indie Folk song. Very calm vibes, good to chill to. One of those songs for the playlist "Songs to listen to while looking at the roof doing absolutely nothing". It is also featured on the TV series 13 Reasons Why (and I think it fits it better there then on FIFA).
About the lyrics, Vance Joy once said "When you’re in love with someone, you take on the whole package. It’s messy, but the mess of life is the good thing. The special thing about relationships is taking on the good and the bad and the messy aspects". He also admitted to have been inspired by The Beatles' song Norwegian Wood, which is one of my favourite Beatles songs lyrically. It is a great song with a very cute lyrics about empathy and love. My favourite Vance Joy song, really! - 9th
Song: Kids (Music video, album version and FIFA version)
Artist: MGMT
Album: Oracular Spectacular (2007)
Genres: Indie Electronic, Neo-Psyechedelica, Psychedelic Pop
FIFA: 09
More: This song is pure art! I admit there's also nostalgia in the mix, but I am still in absolute love. It's not like Stereo Hearts or Cupid's Chokehold by Gym Class Heroes, which I only like because of nostalgia but admit it sucks. Kids is a great song! My favourite by them, alongside with Flash Delirium, which is also featured on a game of FIFA franchise, but not good enough to go through the whole process of choosing my top 20, I guess.
Kids has a very happy instrumental but a music video not so happy (I wouldn't say dark, but definitely not happy). That Indie Electronic vibes mixed to the Neo-Psychedelica and Psychedelic Pop that quite reminds me of Portugal. The Man are pure genius! Also, it is impossible for me not to sing the chorus whenever I hear it. Now the lyrics are about teaching children about empathy and moderation. A message to the generations that come after MGMT's: The Post-Millenials, who were still babies or in the end of their pre-teen days back when the song was released.
A really great song, indeed. - 8th
Song: Farrhad
Artist: Radiopilot
Album: Leben Passiert (2008)
Genres: Indie Rock, Pop Punk, Punk Rock, Skate Punk
FIFA: 09
More: Radiopilot was a German band active from 2005 to 2013. They were not very popular, and even in Germany, their only two songs to made it to the German charts were Monster and Farrhad. But what threw Farrhad to the title of "signature song" for Radiopilot was the fact that it was featured in FIFA09. Also, this is the only song that's not sang in English that made it to this Top 20. Even though I don't know the meaning of the lyrics of this song because I don't speak German and because I couldn't find it nowhere, but I do love the instrumental. It is a great Pop Punk/Punk Rock song, and if you consider early Fall Out Boy and similar to be Emo (which is false, in my opinion), than you have to consider this song and Radiopilot in general Emo as well. It has very catchy guitar and bass riffs and Lukas Pizone's voice fits the song pretty well. I'd even say that, if this song was released half a decade before and if it was in English, it'd have everything to become a Punk Rock and Surf Punk anthem, together with songs made by the Greats of those same genre (when it comes to popularity) like Sum 41 and Blink-182. I even dare to say, Radiopilot are better than those two bands. - 7th
Song: Young Folks
Artist: Peter, Bjorn and John (feat. Victoria Bergsman)
Album: Writer's Block (2006)
Genres: Indie Pop, Sunshine Pop, Folk Pop
FIFA: 08
More: This is maybe the happiest song, instrumentally, on this top 20. The whistles, the guitar, the vocal duo of Peter Morén and Victoria Bergsman, the music video. Everything on this song is pretty positive. What makes this song a song that fits FIFA so well is probably the Sunshine Pop vibes, a genre that is sometimes capable of filling your heart with joy. Also, whistles on music usually get stuck on my head (I still have Whistle by Flo Rida stuck in my head). If you are like me, than you will probably find yourself whistling along to the song while playing the game. - 6th
Song: Not In Love
Artist: Crystal Castles(feat. Robert Smith)
Album: (II) (2010)
Genres: Synth-Pop, Electropop, New Wave
FIFA: 12
More: If you are aware of the Dream Pop and Synth-Pop scene, then you are probably aware of the two-piece band Crystal Castles. They are considered one of the most innovative bands of the 21st century, even though they have fallen into the abyss, when it comes to popularity and respect, since Alice Glass left the band (even though their latest album, with Edith Frances as new vocalist, is still pretty dope) and accused her former band mate and boyfriend of sexual, psychological and physical systematic abuse. Their first two albums were the most popular and Not In Love is one of their most popular songs.
Well, Not In Love was the first worldwide charted song they had. There are many reasons that justify the success of this cover, having even surpassed the original song. First off, it is the featured artist: Robert Smith, the frontman of The Cure, which is maybe the most popular Gothic Rock band ever. Robert Smith's voice is pretty similar to Mark Holmes' (vocalist of Platinum Blonde) and it fits the song way better than Alice Glass' voice would. Then, it is the instrumental, which contributes to the fact that it is probably one of the most radio-friendly songs they've ever made, only tied with Celestica.
Now, about the lyrics. According to the website Genius, "the song describes the evolution of an on-and-off relationship and the occasional hopes of the narrator that their partner may change their mind and come back to them while claiming at the same time that they are not in love, contradicting themselves in a way". The lyrics are practically the same as the original song, with just some few slight changes. - 5th
Song: Mountain In My Gates
Artist: Foals
Album: What Went Down (2015)
Genres: Indie Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Art Rock
FIFA: 16
More: Probably my favourite Foals song, this song is the perfect Psychedelic Rock/Art Rock song. It is, in my point of view, very creative. I specially love the bass lines, which are almost invisible unless you listen closely, but is still extremely important to the song, in order to always keep its melody. I also love the drums, that sometimes go crazy alongside with the vocals Yannis Phillipakis. The brief guitar solo is also pretty dope, and I think it was a good choice to keep it short.
The reason why it fits FIFA so well is the same reason for Bloc Party: its energy. Right, it is a kind of energy way different from Helicopter, which I think is more of an uncontrollably energetic piece of art. This one's energetic, yet still has the musical roots of Foals. And it ended up being a pretty good song. I can listen to this non-stop for a good time.
Also, I want to headlight the music video. It was the first spherical filmed music video I've ever watched. A spherical music video taken in 4K with a GoPro. And I found it very interesting! My 14 year old self was mind blown after viewing that music video for the first time. - 4th
Song: Professional Griefers (Music video and audio)
Artist: deadmau5 (feat. Gerard Way)
Album > album title goes here < (2012)
Genres: Electro House, Electronic Rock
FIFA: 13
More: Oh, this song is absolute genius. FIFA13 is by far the game of the franchise that I've played the most, and the first time I listened to this song, I fell in love for many reasons. The main reason, though, was the feature of Gerard Way on the single. Back when I bought FIFA13, probably in 2015, I was absolutely addicted to My Chemical Romance, so once I heard Gerard Way on the soundtrack, I freaked out.
Well, today, I am not the biggest fan of My Chemical Romance, and I even think Gerard Way's voice fits way better on this single than in almost every My Chemical Romance song. I like him here way better than screaming, like in My Chemical Romance's first two albums (specially in the trackBury Me In Black). Also, about the instrumentals. This is one of my favourite Electro House songs, in my opinion. It even surpasses Crystal Castles here (but fair enough, Crystal Castles' forte is not Electro House at all. I'd say it is more Dream Pop, Synth-Pop and Witch House). I love how it looks like there's going to be a big ass drop, but instead you get a electronically melodic chorus, which I absolutely love. I know people who get pissed off at me when I put this song on play, because they expect the big ass drop. I always tell them "I like it better this way". - 3rd
Song: I Can Talk
Artist: Two Door Cinema Club
Album: Tourist History (2010)
Genres: Indie Rock, Dance-Punk, Post-Punk Revival
FIFA: 11
More: Oh, Two Door Cinema Club. I've been listening to them since I'm, like, ten, and I never, ever got sick of them. I love their Dance-Punk vibes, and I love their occasional Post-Punk Revival melodies, which are present specially on their first album, like in I Can Talk.
Also, I fucking love the guitar here, it gives me a vague feeling of adrenaline while I sing it. I don't think that this is one of the fan's favourite for nothing. I don't think I saw more people singing along to this song than to Do I Wanna Know? in Arctic Monkeys' show back in NOS Alive! '18 for nothing. It has a chorus that is very easy to memorize and sing along to (unlike Something Good Can Work, which has an amazing chorus, but it very difficult to sing along to) and it fits FIFA because of the energetic vibe.
This is, in my opinion, one of the best Alternative singles of Northern Ireland. Fuck Snow Patrol, Two Door Cinema Club is the shit! - 2nd
Song: Live In The Moment
Artist: Portugal. The Man
Album: Woodstock (2017)
Genres: Indie Pop, Psychedelic Pop
FIFA: 18
More: One of FIFA's best picks. I'm so glad they chose Live In The Moment instead of Feel It Still. Why? To start off, Feel It Still is not really Portugal. The Man, I can see from miles away that they tried their hardest to make a radio-friendly song. The tempo, the duration of the intro, the chorus, everything on it is radio-friendly (but yeah, true, still Alternative). Live In The Moment is way more identifiable. That is Portugal. The Man! And it is one of their best singles, in my opinion. It does not even come close from their best (It's Complicated Being A Wizard), but it is still so enjoyable. It has a chorus almost impossible to not sing along to (I went bat-shit crazy when they played it in NOS Alive). Also, I can see why FIFA featured it. It has a very happy instrumental and it is a band that was ascending uncontrollably to fame. It was the perfect pick. - 1st
Song: Charlemagne
Artist: Blossoms
Album: Blossoms (2016)
Genres: Indie Rock. Dance-Punk, Electropop
FIFA: 18
More: Everything on this song is genius! The lyrics, Tom Ogden's voice (Tom Ogden in general, really. What a hotie), Charles Salt's backing voice, the music video, the guitar, the electronic beats, the bass, the drums. Everything! The electronic beats are catchy as fuck, and replace very well a lead guitar, in a way that the song ends up only needing the guitar only occasionally, for some badass few chords that give a bit more adrenaline to it. Then, Tom Ogden's voice is perfect for the single, with that quite soft voice. Also, the bass may be the most important thing here, it's there to maintain the rhythm, and unlike to Mountain In My Gates, it is not hidden, it is a co-protagonist, alongside with the electronic beats and, of course, the vocals. More, in my opinion, the music video, the lyrics and the song itself are very, very well connected. The lyrics are quite intelligent. To begin with, they don't retell a story, Tom Ogden says he was just "channeling a feeling rather than retelling a story". Also, the metaphors here are very well used. He uses a card game as a metaphor. According to a YouTube user, "He goes off to find this girl, who gives him the King of Hearts, to win the game. Charlemagne was a French King around the 1600 period (may be wildly off here) so that's where the King part comes in. The incense is showing how everything is cloudy and he might be cheating". I find this interpretation quite interesting. Just like Fit But You Know It, it is about the narrator trying to seduce a woman, but while Skinner failed and had to see the girl go "into the arms of that fucking white shirted man", Ogden nailed it. I know the song is not a retell of a story, Ogden confirmed that, but this would be interesting: Ogden won the "game" by cheating, making himself more interesting and cooler than he actually is in order to seduce her. But on the other hand, Ogden only won the game because the girl was interested in him since the very beginning, and so, she gave him the "Charlemagne" (The King card. A double metaphor) in order to win. What does "Charlemagne" stand for? I don't know, maybe confidence? I just like this idea. It gives the feeling of mutual love.
But yeah, if we forget about the theories and concentrate only on what we know it's true, this song's really, really about trying to seduce a girl and about the necessity of having her by his side in order to be happy ("The doctors knew, they prescribe me you"). Also, one thing we know, which is confirmed and destroys the theory I like so much is this (now transcribing Ogden's words): "Charlemagne is from that background of longing for something you can’t have – in that case, putting someone on a pedestal and worshipping them". It is about unreachable love, not mutual love. Pity, huh? But, seeing it that way, it fits the music video so well. In many parts of it, we can see Tom Ogden watching a girl who's in the end of an endless corridor, full of fog, which gives a feeling of something unreachable. Then, the aesthetics and colors of the music video fit perfectly the Dance-Punk and Electropop scene together. Some neon colors, the camera moving on freezing characters (playing cards). I don't know, I find it perfect. Genius. - Honorable Mentions - As you may know, this list was really fucking hard to do. I kept some honroable mentions, in order to feel less bad with myself about leaving some songs behind. Here are some honorable mentions, then!
- Song 2, by Blur (FIFA98) - Because of nostalgia, adrenaline, energy and relevance.
- We Are Not Good People, by Bloc Party (FIFA13) - Because of Art Punk vibes and the vague return of Silent Alarm's sound.
- Around Town, by The Kooks (FIFA15) - Because of the insanely extraordinary music video, because of Funk, Gospel and Chamber Pop vibes and because of its happy vibes
- Way Down We Go, by Kaleo (FIFA16) - Because of JJ Julius Son's extraordinary voice and calm instrumental
- Rhinestone Eyes, by Gorillaz (FIFA11) - Because of the music video sketch and its relevance to the Phase 4 of Gorillaz, because of the electronic beats and because of the catchy chorus.
(1st phase, 2nd phase, 3rd phase (Best 42) and 4th phase (Best 25 but not ranked, just organized from FIFA to FIFA, chronologically)).
