Released 17 March 2014 Genre Pop, Sports song Label Parlophone (Warner) | Recorded 2014 Length 3:53 | |
Format Single, Digital download | ||
"Magic in the Air" is a 2014 single by Ivorian musical group Magic System, featuring Moroccan singer Chawki. The track also appears on Magic system's album Africainement vôtre, released on 19 May 2014.
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The association football themed song focusing on African football was produced by Swedish-Moroccan producer RedOne with the catchy refrain saying
Feel the magic in the air, allez, allez, allez
Levez les mains en l'air, allez, allez, allez
On t'invite à la magie, y a pas de raccourci
Oublie tes soucis, viens faire la folie
which translates as "Feel the magic in the air, come on, come on, come on / Raise your hands in the air, come on, come on, come on / We invite you to the magic, and there are no shortcuts / Forget your worries, and come and join the madness".
The song was released in March 2014 to coincide with preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup scheduled for 12 June to 13 July of the same year. Despite the English-language title of the song, the song is all in French.
The single became a commercial hit in France and Belgium.
Music video
A music video was also shot and released online on Magic System official YouTube account on 17 March 2014.
UNESCO alphabetization initiative
As part of its alphabetization initiative, UNESCO launched a campaign for celebrity signing of FIFA-sanctioned footballs to be used in the 2014 World Cup. Many celebrities from the sports world, artists and politicians signed various balls to be sold in public auction between 4 and 14 June 2014, with all the proceeds from selling of these signed balls going to the alphabetization programme of the organization.
A promotional music video was also made in promoting the charity initiative with various participants signing the balls or playing football or symbolically "passing the ball" to other participants who would sign in their turn. Magic System official website posted direct links to individual signed balls to help in bidding for them.
The celebrities taking part included:
It's worth mentioning that "Asalfo" (Salif Traoré) of Magic System is an Ambassador of Goodwill for UNESCO's alphabetization programme.