For years, the FIFA Soundtrack has been a pretty huge deal amongst music, football and gaming fans alike. Since its first licensed soundtrack in 1998, the game has introduced a wave of new, popular music across a plethora of genres from around the world
Numerous artists have seen themselves grow massively in popularity after featuring on the game, with clubs up and down the country even hosting FIFA club nights; allowing fans to pay homage to the best anthems from the game.
To mark the start of the new decade, here are the ten best FIFA songs of the 2010s:
FIFA 11: The Black Keys – Tighten Up
The 2010 smash-hit from Ohio alternative outfit The Black Keys dominated the rock and indie charts, and was therefore an obvious inclusion on the game’s tracklist by EA.
Its hard-hitting bass combined with proudly unsubtle blues influences give it a distinguishable edge over the usual indie and alternative tracks we are used to hearing on FIFA.
These qualities make the song an extremely memorable FIFA tune, almost ten years later.
Honourable Mentions: LCD Soundsystem – I Can Change, Two Door Cinema Club – I Can Talk, We Are Scientists – Rules Don’t Stop
FIFA 12: Chase & Status – No Problem
‘I move like water, I go with the flow’
Lyrics that will be familiar with almost everyone who played FIFA 12.
This intense, in-your-face banger has everything you need from a good dance track. Audacious drum and bass, unique lyricism and even African tribal drumming rhythms!
It’s loud, it’s fast and it’s the perfect track for exciting. competitive football gaming.
Honourable Mentions: The Strokes – Machu Picchu, The Vaccines – Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra), Foster The People – Call It What You Want
FIFA 13: Kasabian – Club Foot
Featuring on a game almost 10 years older than it, this indie-rock explosion went against the modern element of EA’s song selection criteria, and its easy to see why.
Club Foot is one of the best British songs of the 2000’s and played a key role in the success of Kasabian’s self titled debut album.
The bold chorus and throbbing bass made the feeling of scoring a last minute winner, that little bit sweeter.
It’s criminal that FIFA fans didn’t get to hear it earlier.
Honourable Mention: Bloc Party – We Are Not Good People, Reverend & The Makers – Shine A Light, TDCC – Sleep Alone
FIFA 14: Foals – My Number
By far, the toughest decision I’ve had to make, FIFA 14 has undoubtedly the best soundtrack of the last ten years.
After much deliberating, I couldn’t look past My Number- a superb track from one of the best bands we’ve seen this decade.
With this, Foals have epitomised the meaning of a ‘FIFA Song’ in just four minutes.
It’s eccentric funk-rock guitar riffs compliment lead singer Yannis’ melodic vocal ranges perfectly, in a feel-good indie masterpiece.
It’s fun, exciting and compliments the game to a tee.
Honourable Mentions: Disclosure -F For You, Smallpools – Dreaming, The 1975 – The City, Miles Kane – Don’t Forget Who You Are, Vampire Weekend- Worship You
FIFA 15: Jungle – Busy Earnin’
With a distinctive groove and 70’s inspired falsetto vocals that only Jungle are capable of, EA’s inclusion of this mysterious smash-hit was the best way to introduce them to the world stage.
Although not as popularly received amongst fans as tracks like Cocoon or The Nights, Busy Earnin’ is a defining track in the game’s musical history and opened the door for one of the most unique acts British music has seen in years.
Sorry, Van.
Honourable Mentions: Avicii – The Nights, Catfish & The Bottlemen – Cocoon, Kasabian – Stevie, Milky Chance – Stolen Dance
FIFA 16: Disclosure – Omen (ft. Sam Smith)
The second Disclosure track of the franchise is just as upbeat and exciting as it’s predecessor ‘F For You’ was two years prior.
Sam Smith’s ecstatic vocals are the perfect accompaniment to one of the most unexpected and popular dance track collaborations of 2015.
With their experimental electronic beats and a wave of notable features, nearly any song in the London based duo’s discography is a FIFA gamer’s dream.
Honourable Mentions: Nothing But Thieves – Trip Switch, Foals – Mountain At My Gates, Coasts – Tonight
FIFA 17: Declan Mckenna – Isombard
This exuberant, adrenaline-fuelled banger is certainly the most exciting tune FIFA 17 has to offer.
A memorable song from one of the hottest prospects in British music, this tune accurately represents all the excitement that comes with playing.
Mckenna’s playful, poetic lyricism, its groove-infused beat and catchy chorus, only further enabled the British youngster to propel himself further into the mainstream.
Honourable Mentions: RAT BOY – GET OVER IT, Bastille – Send Them Off, DMA’s – Play It Out
FIFA 18: Rex Orange County- Never Enough
From one rising star to another, Alex O’Connor AKA Rex Orange County’s incredible breakout year was perfectly topped off with his inclusion on the game.
Never Enough embodies the happy, feel-good style that got Rex discovered in the first place, through its unique fuses of jazz, hip hop and electronic pop.
A superb way to bask in the glory of victory.
Honourable Mentions: alt-j- Deadcrush, Avelino- Energy (Ft. Stormzy and Skepta)
FIFA 19: Billie Eilish- you should see me in a crown
‘Watch me make em bow, one by, one by one’
As the lead single on global superstar Billie Eilish’s debut album, YSSMIAC is an angsty, intimidating statement on the idea of control and domination.
Eilish’s eerie vocals run over an enticingly bold electro instrumental, keeping the listener on the edge of their seat, from start to finish.
Melodically, the song is a direct juxtaposition of what a FIFA song should be, but the message is perfect: only one person can be the best.
Honourable Mentions: Bakar – Big Dreams, Octavian-Lightning, Bas – Tribe (ft. J Cole)
FIFA 20: Skepta – Same Old Story
EA hugely emphasised the fact that the latest instalment of the FIFA soundtrack will place a greater focus on original, homegrown talent.
Who better to spearhead this than the king of Grime himself?
Same Old Story is one of the standout tracks from Skepta’s new full length project ‘Ignorance Is Bliss’ and starts off a long list of original British sounds on the game.
Thought provoking lyrics over a bassment-style produced beat- a modern day Skeppy masterpiece.
Honourable Mentions: Little Simz – Offence, Loyle Carner – Angel, Foals- The Runner
WORDS: OWEN THOMPSON
