Wanted: 1,500 successors to Stromae and Oscar and the Wolf!
Wunderbar becomes official European Cup song
"There is a word in German, and I think it says it all: Wunderbar!", reads the official European Championship anthem. The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) and ING are looking for the musical crème de la crème from the red fans' legion to send the Devils to Germany with a wonder song. Fans can apply until 15 April to be part of the biggest and most unique band in football history: the Wunderbar Band. On Sunday 5 May, the 1,500 selected singers and musicians will come together for the recordings.
In other words, the RBFA - in cooperation with ING - is looking for enthusiastic fans to cross from the stands in the King Baudouin Stadium to the stage of the ING Arena. Fans who exchange their horns, drums, whistles, and vuvuzelas for their beloved musical instrument out of love for the Red Devils. Belgians who for once sing Wunderbar at the top of their voices instead of "for monarch, for freedom and for justice".
Singers and musicians with a black-yellow-red heart are urged to send an audition video to wunderbar-band.be. From the submissions, a jury will compile the unique Wunderbar Band: 1,500 supporters singing and playing the European Championship song like real artists.
Because on Sunday 5 May, the gathering will be 'blown' ... and 'drummed' and 'sung'. Then, not 'eins, zwei, drei, fier', but as many as 150 singers, 50 whistlers, 100 guitarists, 100 bassists, 100 drummers and 1,000 choir members will give their best. That day, the ING Arena - located in the shadow of the King Baudouin Stadium - will be transformed into a huge recording studio. It promises to be a unique experience.
The video may be used freely, provided it is marked 'RBFA'.
Amadou Onana set a good example with his audition video. At least as much musical talent is expected from the final members of the Wunderbar Band, as the European Championship song will be released by Universal. The proceeds will go to the Belgian Red Courts project. Through this project, the RBFA builds football pitches, which serve as meeting places and promote cohesion in cities and towns.
"With the #WirSchaffenDas campaign, we have brought the players and supporters closer together in recent months, and it has paid off. Supported by the fans, the players have proven to be in top form, but the apotheosis is expected at the European Championship in Germany. Even then, support from the supporters will not be lacking, as we are deploying our resources into a stunner of an EC song. A song of and by the fans, that's how we hope to musically accompany the players to victory."
– Manu Leroy, marketing and communications director RBFA
"Music and football complement each other perfectly to create unforgettable moments. Who has never had goosebumps when a football stadium thunders to the tones of the supporters' chants that give our Devils that extra push? Through its partnership with RBFA and its support of the ING Arena, ING made the choice to sponsor music and football more than a decade ago. We will continue our efforts in the years to come. Thanks to Wunderbar, our customers now have the opportunity to fulfil their passion for music and football. From the King Baudouin Stadium to the ING Arena, it's just a small step that we are happy to let our football fans and artists take!"
– An Caers, head of communications, brand and marketing communications ING
If you would like to be present during the filming, you may contact Marie Verbeke (marie.verbeke@bfa.be).
This is the text of the European Championship song:
Eins, zwei, drei, vier
Here you have the team with name and fame
Really want to leave now, I'm going to the game
Belgian Red Devils oh yes I know
Excuse me but I’ve got to go
There is a word in German and I think it says it all
Wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar
Wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar
Hey no worries we’re pretty sure
Let me tell you now we are gonna score
Come on all together
Feels good
There is a word in German and I think it says it all
Wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar
Wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar
There is a word in German and I think it says it all
Wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar, wunderbar (wunderbar), wunderbar (wunderbar), wunderbar