On a World Cup of Songs – Group B
Here is the next round of my survey of the best songs from each country participating the 2014 World Cup.
First, a review of the ground rules:
1. The song has to be released in or after the year of my birth (1981). Otherwise, Pedro Infante’s rendition of “Cielito Lindo” would win, hands down.
2. Regardless of relative quality, if I know of and like songs from a country, I have to chose one of them. This will hurt some countries. For countries where I know multiple songs/artists, I have allotted myself 10 minutes to make a decision on the best song.
3. If I don’t know songs from a country (marked with an asterisk*), I have allotted myself 10 minutes of internet research to find a song. This will also hurt some countries.
4. My rules for a band representing a country is roughly as intuitive as FIFA’s rules for players representing nations. (In other words, any remote affiliation may count.)
5. These choices are definitive of my personal taste in music, nothing more. Please share your favorites in the comments.
On with the show.
Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia
Spain:
Mano Negra – “Mala Vida”
(French born due to Franco Regime, but Spanish by decent)
Truth be told, I could choose a number of Mano Negra or Manu Chao songs, but this was the first of their songs I discovered.
Honorable Mention: Manu Chao – “Denia”; Heroes del silencio – “Nuestros nombres”
Netherlands:
Van Halen – “Right Now”
(The Van Halens were born in Nijmegen. Also, if I don’t choose VH, the rules say I’ve gotta go with 2Unlimited or Clan of Xymox.)
This song is a bit cheesy, but it is still good. Also, this is more timeless than the DLR era of Van Halen.
Chile:
Los Tres – “La espada y la pared”
Great band. Great song. Great album. This album came out right around the time I was beginning to discover rock en espanol as a genre.
Australia:
INXS – “Devil Inside”
(My AC/DC choice came out just before I was born.)
Let’s be honest, it is nearly impossible to choose the best INXS song.
Honorable Mention: Divinyls – “I Touch Myself”; Dead Can Dance – “Severance”; AC/DC – “Back in Black” (plus a year)
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That does it for Group B.
Am I totally off-base and don’t know what I’m talking about? Let me know.
The Rest of the Groups:
The Caveat Lector 