"The Cup of Life" (Spanish: "La Copa de la Vida") is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin. Martin created the song after FIFA requested of him an anthem. The song was written by Luis Gómez-Escolar, Desmond Child, and Draco Rosa, while the production was handled by the latter two. It was released by Columbia Records on March 9, 1998 as the official song of the 1998 FIFA World Cup held in France, and was later included in his fourth studio album, Vuelve (1998). A primarily Spanish language samba-rooted Latin pop song, it carries a football-heavy message with fully positive lyrics.
The song has received highly positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its energy and lyrics. "The Cup of Life" has been ranked as the best World Cup anthem of all time by multiple publications, including The Atlantic, Dallas Observer, and The Fader. It is also one of Martin's most commercially successful songs worldwide, appearing on the charts in more than 60 countries, and reaching number one in 30 countries. It has received several certifications, including platinum in Australia and France. The accompanying music videos were directed by Wayne Isham and filmed during a sold-out concert in Puerto Rico.
To promote the song, Martin performed it for many television programs and award shows, including the 1998 FIFA World Cup final. His performance at the 1999 Grammy Awards was greeted with a massive standing ovation and received acclaim from critics. It is known as a game-changer for Latin music worldwide, being credited as ushering in the "Latin explosion". Martin's performance of the song during the first inauguration of George W. Bush was also ranked as one of the "Best Inauguration Performances of All Time" by several sources. Multiple artists and contestants on various music talent shows have covered the song, including Carlito Olivero and Alondra Santos.
Background and release In 1995, Ricky Martin released his third studio album A Medio Vivir, and "María" was chosen as the album's second single, which became a huge success. While he was on tour and recording Vuelve in 1997, "María" caught the attention of FIFA. They contacted Martin and asked him to create a song as the 1998 FIFA World Cup anthem. "I have to admit that the challenge made me a bit nervous, but the massive growth potential for my career was such that I decided to accept." Martin wrote about the request in Me, his official autobiography. Following his acceptance, musicians K.C. Porter, Robi Rosa, and Desmond Child joined him, and they started working on "The Cup of Life". Martin wrote about the recording in Me:
The song was released by Columbia Records on March 9, 1998. Sony Music Asia released a promo CD containing three versions of "María", and "The Cup of Life". In Australia, "The Cup of Life" was released as a double A-side single with "María". "La Copa de la Vida" was included as the eighth track on Vuelve, released February 12, 1998, and its Spanglish radio edit was included as the ninth track on Martin's fifth studio album Ricky Martin, released May 11, 1999. An extended play, titled La Copa de la Vida (Remixes), was also released in 1998, which includes eight remixes of the song.
Music and lyrics Musically, "La Copa de la Vida" is a primarily Spanish language samba-rooted Latin pop song, and features elements of batucada, salsa, dance, mambo, and Europop. John Lannert from Billboard says it resonates "much closer to Brazilian grooves than to sounds emanating from Martin's place of birth - Puerto Rico". According to the song's sheet music on Musicnotes.com, "The Cup of Life" is composed in the key of C minor with a groove of 108 beats per minute. Martin's vocals span from the low note of G4 to the high note of Ab5. Although the song is mostly in Spanish, Martin also uses a few words in English and French in the chorus.
The track was written by Spanish musician Luis Gómez-Escolar, American songwriter Desmond Child, and American musician Draco Rosa, with its production being handled by Desmond Child and Rosa. "La Copa de la Vida" runs for a total of 4 minutes and 27 seconds, and the English version is called "The Cup of Life". Leila Cobo from Billboard described it as a "high-octane party track". Throughout the song, Martin carries a "soccer-heavy" message with fully positive lyrics, including: "The cup of life, this is the one / Now is the time, don't ever stop" and "Nothing can hold you back if you really want it".
Critical reception "La Copa de la Vida" has been met with universal acclaim from music critics. Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Martin is put to good use on the official song of the World Cup." He also complimented Martin's "relentless energy over a salsa-spiced dance beat", describing the song as "a nifty musical souvenir from the sporting event", that gave him "another chance to court mainstream pop audiences", reasoning that "he's among the hotter heartthrobs in Latin music". Also from Billboard, Leila Cobo named it "the most emblematic and best-known World Cup anthem in modern history", saying "it's the song that set in motion the serious competition to vie for a World Cup song". She questioned, "is there really anyone in the world who hasn't shouted 'Un, dos, tres / Allez, allez, allez at a party?" In another article, she labeled it "a brassy, Latin/global blockbuster" and described its chorus as "the most soaring, anthemic World Cup chorus ever". Additionally, she considered it "[a] mega-hit" in a 2006 article. Also from the same magazine, Kat Bein gave the track a positive review, saying that the "whistle-heavy, horn-driven hit is a must for any soccer celebration. It's more than just an official FIFA anthem, it's a classic Martin single".
Nicole Acevedo from NBC News described the track as a "world-famous mega-hit". An author of E! wrote that there was not a minute in the whole year "that the song was not played", and emphasized that "it was obviously one of the big must-do hits at parties". Luis Paez-Pumar from The Fader praised "La Copa de la Vida" for being the only song that "has mixed a soccer-heavy message with such a fun song that hits uplifting notes without being corny". Peter Vincent from The Sydney Morning Herald named the track "[a] huge bold anthem", and OneFootball's Lewis Ambrose described its chorus as "highly memorable". BuzzFeed's Jessica Lima complimented the song's "unique and catchy sound", writing: "Since the worldwide debut of 'Copa de la Vida', no other World Cup anthem has been able to compare to the energy of this song." Interviews Ernesto Macias complimented the track, calling it "an infectious anthem with a hint of Brazilian beats".
Liz Calvario from Entertainment Tonight praised the song, labeling it "a sizzling summer jam". Scott Roxborough from The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "This is the song that set the musical template for World Cup anthems to come. [...] Martin got the world shimmying and shaking to 'The Cup of Life'." Writing for The Overtake, Ben Sledge gave "La Copa de la Vida" a positive review for its "catchy chorus" and "great samba style", saying it "creates a party atmosphere ripe for any World Cup". An author of BeSoccer praised Martin's "powerful vocals and spirited lyrics" in whole song that "captivated people, helping everyone sail with the fun and jubilation that the world cup brings". In his review for Pitchfork, Corban Goble wrote that if World Cup anthems someday would be "given their own textbook", "La Copa de la Vida" would be "the standard-bearer for the whole genre". He continued to admire the track for having "everything you look for in a World Cup song", and described its chorus as "giant" and "soaring". He also celebrated its lyrics "that starts with the word 'Ole!' and builds from there". Writing for O, The Oprah Magazine, Amanda Mitchell ranked the track as Martin's fourth best song on her 2019 list, and in 2020, Luca Mastinu from Optimagazine listed it as one of Martin's five greatest hits. He also acclaimed its chorus, which "still haunts us".
Accolades "La Copa de la Vida" won the award for Pop Song of the Year at the 1999 Lo Nuestro Awards, and Song of the Year at the 1999 El Premio Awards. It was also acknowledged as an award-winning song at the 1999 BMI Latin Awards, and was nominated for Latin dance maxi-single of the year at the 1999 Latin Billboard Music Awards. Billboard ranked "The Cup of Life" as the 44th greatest song of 1998. It has been ranked as the best World Cup anthem of all time by multiple publications, including The Atlantic, Dallas Observer, and The Fader.
+All-times lists for "La Copa de la Vida" / "The Cup of Life"PublicationListRankRef.Adriana MonsalveWorld Cup Songs Ranking1Amazon Music100 Greatest Latin Hits2 The Arizona Republic10 Best World Cup Songs of All Time3The AtlanticThe Best Songs in the History of World Cup Themes1BeSoccer7 Most Sensational FIFA World Cup Anthems and Songs of All Time1BillboardThe 10 Best World Cup Songs EverBillboard17 Best Soccer SongsBleacher ReportThe 10 Greatest World Cup Songs2BuzzFeedThe Top 10 World Cup Songs Of All Time1Chicago TribuneThe Top 5 Best World Cup Songs2El ColombianoThe Most Remembered World Cup SongsEl ComercioThe Songs of the World Cups that Marked FootballCultura ColectivaThe Most Catchy World Football Cup Songs1Cultura ColectivaThe Most Popular Song in World Cup History1Dallas ObserverThe 10 Best World Cup Songs of All-Time1E!Top 10 World Cup Soccer Songs3Entertainment Tonight8 World Cup Songs That Make You Wanna Kick Off Your ShoesFactor NueveThe best World Cup themes1The FaderThe Best World Cup Anthems of All Time1The Hollywood ReporterThe 10 Best World Cup Songs3HoyThe Top 5 Best World Cup Songs2JoyTunesThe 6 Best World Cup Anthems in the Tournament's History3Khel NowThe 10 Songs of the World CupMensXP.comTop 10 Football Theme Songs1La NaciónThe Most Popular World Cup Songs1New StatesmanThe Best Football SongsOneFootballThe Best FIFA World Cup Songs Ever1The OvertakeThe Ultimate World Cup Song Powerlist1PitchforkThe Most Memorable Songs of the World CupRed BullThe 5 Best World Cup Songs1RemezclaThe Best World Cup Songs1Rojak Daily5 Most Memorable World Cup Anthems Of All-Time1SemanaThe Songs That Have Made the Fans Sing in the World CupsEl Siglo de TorreónThe Greatest World Cup SongsSoy RefereeBest Songs in World Cup History1Sportskeeda4 of the Best World Cup Songs1 The Sydney Morning HeraldThe Best-Ever World Cup SongsThe Sydney Morning Herald The seven best World Cup anthems of all time1TerraTop 5 Songs that Had a Soccer World CupTNThe Songs that Marked the World CupsuDiscoverMusicThe 11 Best Football Songs of All TimeVBET NewsThe 10 Songs of the World CupLa Voz del InteriorThe Best World Cup Songs
Commercial performance Internationally, the track hit the charts in more than 60 countries, and topped the charts of 30, making it one of the most successful World Cup songs. It is also known as one of Martin's signature songs. In Australia, "The Cup of Life" spent six weeks at number one. It was the best-selling song of 1998 in Australia, and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments of over 70,000 copies in the country. It spent four weeks at number one in Germany, where it was certified gold by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI), denoting shipments of over 250,000 copies. The song also peaked within the top five in Austria, and peaked at number 29 in the United Kingdom.