MUMBAI: The official song of the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany will be Time of Our Lives by the vocal group Il Divo.
Il Divo's latest album is called Ancora.The official song, which was written by Jörgen Elofsson, will be performed live at the opening of the World Cup on 9 June. In India the event will air on ESPN Star Sports.
The official song is in line with the overall theme of the upcoming football event, A Time To Make Friends and about the special feeling that the game brings to people.
In addition, German music star, Herbert Grönemeyer, will perform the 2006 Fifa World Cup Anthem Celebrate the Day, which will be released in German, English and French as well as in a multi-language version. Both songs will be exclusively available on an official album, Voices, which will be launched on 12 May.
Fifa president Joseph S. Blatter says, The official song has become an integral part of the identity of the Fifa World Cup, which is now not only recognisable by a logo and a mascot but by a very special song as well. I am very pleased that we have such a strong piece of music performed by one of todays leading groups, and I am convinced that it will become a memorable part of the entertainment fabric of the event."
"I am also sure that the anthem, which will be produced by Herbert Grönemeyer, will create emotional links among the teams, fans and the 2006 Fifa World Cup. It is important that the official music programme features passion for football and shows how important football is to people all over the world,"adds Blatter.
The official song and anthem are part of an exclusive licensing agreement between Fifa and Syco/Sony BMG for the production and release of the Official Music Programme of the event. The official album Voices will be made up of a compilation of internationally known hit songs from superstars from several countries, many of whom have strong football connections, such as Eros Ramazzotti, Youssou Ndour, Shakira and Julio Iglesias, to name but a few.
Fifa and Sony BMG have enjoyed a successful partnership in the official music programme ever since the 1994 official song. The first major official song was World Cup Willie, a song about the first official mascot (a lion) of the 1966 Fifa World Cup held in England, and ever since, together with the official mascots, the official music programme has become a more and more significant component of the event. It provides an opportunity for more than just deep-rooted football fans to identify with the event.
