The Ultimate Soundtrack: How FIFA Chooses Its Iconic Music
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FIFA’s selection of music is a complex process that balances artistic vision, global appeal, and strategic marketing. It is a collaborative effort spearheaded by a dedicated music team at EA Sports, who act as A&R scouts and on-trend music connoisseurs. This team works closely with international labels, publishers, artist managers, and artists to curate a soundtrack that defines the FIFA gaming experience. The selection process emphasizes discovery, diversity, and musical excellence, aiming to capture the energy and excitement of the world’s game while introducing players to new and emerging artists. The process involves meticulous song reviews to align with the game’s brand and audience.
The Anatomy of a FIFA Soundtrack
The process of choosing music for FIFA isn’t just about throwing a bunch of popular songs together. It’s a strategic and nuanced approach that aims to enhance the overall gaming experience. The EA Sports music team, often led by a President of Music like Steve Schnur in the past, understands that the soundtrack isn’t just background noise; it’s an integral part of the game’s identity.
The Scouting Process
The FIFA music selection process begins with extensive scouting. The EA Sports music team actively seeks out emerging artists and on-trend tracks from around the globe. Their goal is to find music that not only sounds good but also reflects the global nature of football. They attend music festivals, monitor music charts, and connect with industry professionals to stay ahead of the curve.
Collaboration with the Music Industry
The FIFA soundtracks are a result of extensive collaboration with the music industry. The EA Sports music team works closely with record labels, publishers, artist managers, and the artists themselves. These partnerships are crucial for securing licensing rights and ensuring that the music aligns with the FIFA brand.
Balancing Global Appeal and Musical Excellence
One of the biggest challenges is finding music that appeals to a diverse audience. The FIFA fanbase spans continents and cultures, so the soundtrack must reflect this diversity. The music team strives to find a balance between global hits and underground gems, introducing players to new sounds and artists they might not otherwise discover.
Strategic Integration into the Game
Once the music is selected, it’s carefully integrated into the game. The songs are strategically placed in different areas of the game, such as the menu screens, gameplay, and VOLTA Football mode, to enhance the overall experience. This helps create a unique and immersive atmosphere.
The Impact of the FIFA Soundtrack
The FIFA soundtrack has become a cultural phenomenon, launching the careers of many artists and introducing millions of players to new music. It has helped break down barriers between genres and cultures, creating a truly global soundscape. The soundtrack has also become a powerful marketing tool, helping to promote both the game and the artists featured on it.
EA Sports understands the significant impact of the FIFA soundtrack. The company continues to invest in the music selection process to ensure that the game remains at the forefront of music discovery. The team works tirelessly to curate a collection of songs that captures the energy and excitement of football while introducing players to the next generation of musical talent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about FIFA Music
Here are some frequently asked questions about the selection and impact of music in the FIFA franchise:
1. Who is in charge of choosing the music for FIFA?
The music selection is managed by a dedicated music team at EA Sports, led by a President of Music, such as Steve Schnur in the past. This team has extensive experience in music marketing, music promotion, and A&R.
2. How can I customize the soundtrack in FIFA 23 (or other versions)?
Players can customize their in-game music experience by choosing which songs they want to listen to within the provided playlists. They can exclude songs from the playlist in both the EA Sports Music and VOLTA Music sections.
3. What makes a song a “FIFA song”?
A “FIFA song” is typically a track that is officially selected by EA Sports for inclusion in the game’s soundtrack. These songs are chosen for their ability to capture the energy of the sport, appeal to a global audience, and align with the FIFA brand. For the FIFA World Cup, official songs and anthems are adopted by FIFA for use during the tournament and in advertising campaigns.
4. Why does FIFA sometimes include older songs?
Older songs are often included in FIFA games to celebrate the history of the franchise and provide a nostalgic experience for long-time fans. As Steve Schnur explained, these songs are part of the “ultimate celebration of the music that has defined discovery, diversity, and excellence for generations of gamers.” These songs add to the legacy of the game.
5. How does EA Sports find the music for FIFA?
EA Sports’ music team acts as A&R scouts, attending music festivals, monitoring music charts, and collaborating with international labels, publishers, and artist managers to discover emerging talent and trending songs.
6. What are some of the most listened-to FIFA songs on Spotify?
Some of the most listened-to EA SPORTS FIFA songs on Spotify include:
- Glass Animals – Heat Waves
- Avicii – The Nights
- Billie Eilish – you should see me in a crown
- Imagine Dragons – On Top Of The World
- Bad Bunny, Bomba Estéreo – Ojitos Lindos
7. Has there ever been controversy surrounding FIFA song selections?
Yes, there have been controversies. For example, the selection of Shakira to sing the 2010 World Cup song generated controversy in South Africa, with many arguing that a native artist should have been chosen.
8. Why did FIFA sometimes use indie music?
In the past, FIFA used indie music to create a more contemporary and energetic atmosphere, aiming for a sound that resonated with a younger audience. The intention was to create an atmosphere that sounded like a stadium and to distance itself from a traditional “sports” sound.
9. Are FIFA World Cup songs made specifically for FIFA?
FIFA World Cup songs are tunes and songs adopted officially by FIFA (or by official broadcasters and partners selected by FIFA). These are used prior to and during the event, and in advertising campaigns for the World Cup.
10. Why were old songs included in FIFA 23’s World Cup update?
FIFA 23 included old songs in its World Cup update to honor the ultimate FIFA songs of the past and celebrate the franchise’s musical legacy.
11. Do artists get paid for their songs being featured in FIFA?
Yes, artists get paid licensing fees for their music to be featured in FIFA games. This helps to compensate them for the use of their work and to support their careers. Additionally, FIFA had previously confirmed that the 732 players participating in the World Cup will be paid at least $30,000 each.
12. Which FIFA game is considered to have the best soundtrack?
The “best” FIFA soundtrack is subjective and varies depending on individual taste. However, games like FIFA 15, FIFA 14, and FIFA 17 are often cited as having particularly strong and memorable soundtracks.
13. Why did some artists decline to perform at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar?
Some artists declined to perform at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar due to concerns about human rights and the country’s treatment of LGBTQIA+ people.
14. Why were Russian teams banned by FIFA?
Teams from Russia were banned from international football following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
15. What was the first official FIFA World Cup song?
The first official anthem of a World Cup came in 1962 when Chile hosted the quadrennial tournament. Los Ramblers’ “El Rock del Mundial” song, which translates to “The Rock of the World Cup”, was the first ever anthem.
Music is an integral part of the gaming experience, and FIFA has consistently set a high bar. The selections bring new energy and make each edition a memorable experience. For additional insights into gaming and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.