Can You Hear Me? (Enrique Iglesias song)

Infobox Single
Name = Can You Hear Me?


Artist = Enrique Iglesias
from Album = Insomniac (re-release)
Released = june 27, 2008
Format = CD single, digital download
Recorded = 2008
Genre = Pop
Length = 3:44
Label = Interscope Records
Writer = Enrique Iglesias
Steve Morales
Frankie Storm
Producer = Big Ben Diehl
Carlos Paucar
Last single = "¿Dónde Están Corazón?"
(2007)
This single = "Can You Hear Me?"
(2008)
Next single = "Lloro Por Ti"
(2008)

"Can You Hear Me?" is the official song of UEFA Euro 2008. It is performed by Enrique Iglesias, who wrote the song with Steve Morales and Frankie Storm.cite news|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/sportsplus/sportsplus.php?id=127752|title=Euro 2008 unveils its official anthem|date=2008-05-20|publisher=Bangkok Post|accessdate=2008-06-19] The song was produced by Big Ben Diehl and Carlos Paucar, and recorded at Circle House Studios in Miami, Florida.cite web|url=http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/MediaRelease/Competitions/MediaServices/69/80/81/698081_DOWNLOAD.pdf|title=Official UEFA EURO 2008™ Song: "Can You Hear Me" by Enrique Iglesias|date=2008-05-20|publisher=UEFA|accessdate=2008-06-20] The choice was announced by UEFA on 20 May, and Iglesias was described as the perfect person for the job. "He is an international star who is passionate about football and who has European roots," said commercial director Philippe Margraff. The artist himself was happy to be chosen; "I'm really pleased to be able to contribute to the football festival in Switzerland and Austria and it is an honour for me to perform at the final," said Iglesias.cite news|url=http://music.generationq.net/bm/news/enrique-iglesias-UEFA-song-050683.shtml|title=Official UEFA EURO 2008™ Song: "Can You Hear Me" by Enrique Iglesias|last=Kalow|first=Natalie|date=2008-06-05|publisher=GenQ|accessdate=2008-06-19]

The song was performed at the closing game in Vienna on 29 June. The single was released on 26 May, and the video – featuring football tricks and dancing, intercut with Iglesias performing – was directed by Paul Minor. "Can You Hear Me?" will also feature on a re-issue of Iglesias' "Insomniac" album in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.

There is also a special UEFA Euro 2008 Remix to the song, which contains a part from the UEFA Euro 2008 Official Theme song in the beginning of the song.

Reception

Media reaction to the song has largely been negative, most finding it inappropriate for the venue. Darryl Broadfoot, of the Scottish newspaper "The Herald", called it a "cheesy, synth-driven melody". [cite news|url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2316835.0.Finalists_planning_to_chart_Euro_hit.php|title=Finalists planning to chart Euro hit|last=Broadfoot|first=Darryl|date=2008-06-04|publisher=The Herald (Glasgow)|accessdate=2008-06-21] The Norwegian newspaper "Dagbladet", in reviewing the song, found that it lacked purpose and motivation, and that it had little to do with football. The reviewers called the song a rejected B-side, and gave it one out of six points. [cite news|url=http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2008/05/30/536761.html|title=- Hva er motivasjonen bak denne låta?|last=Rasmussen|first=John|date=2008-05-30|publisher=Dagbladet|language=Norwegian|accessdate=2008-06-19] Nick Amies, of "Deutsche Welle", called "Can You Hear Me?" an "insipid and un-footie-inspiring, corporate sell-out single". He also reported that spectators preferred the song "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes as an alternative, unofficial anthem. [cite news|url=http://blogs.dw-world.de/alpine-kicks/kicks/1.6689.html|title=Sing up for the Stripes!|last=Amies|first=Nick|date=2008-06-20|publisher=Deutsche Welle|accessdate=2008-06-20] Fans of different nations have adapted the guitar riff with their own lyrics, such as the Italians singing "Cam-pi-o-ni-del-Mon-do" ("world champions") to mark their victory in the 2006 World Cup. [cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUKL2019576420080620|title=White Stripes win battle of Euro 2008 songs|last=Rogers|first=Ian|date=2008-06-20|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=2008-06-21] [cite news|url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/news/gavin_hamilton_on_turkeys_dramatic_win_in_vienna_news_259285.html|title=Gavin Hamilton on Turkey's dramatic win in Vienna|last=Hamilton|first=Gavin|date=2008-06-20|publisher=World Soccer|accessdate=2008-06-20]

Charts

References

External links

* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=Dtrt1ijYoBc "Can You Hear Me?"] on YouTube
* [http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/MediaRelease/Competitions/MediaServices/69/80/81/698081_DOWNLOAD.pdf Media release] from UEFA