While receiving positive reviews from critics, initially the song received some negative reactions from Brazilians over its lack of Brazilian feeling. To change that, another version was also released and the music changed slightly to fit Afro Brazilian groupOlodum's style of drumming – that version being the one that was used in the music video for the song. "We Are One" has experienced commercial success, reaching the top spot in Belgium and Hungary, top 10 in several countries including Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and World Cup's host country, Brazil and top twenty in Denmark and Norway. The song peaked at number one in three countries.
According to one of the co-writers of "We Are One (Ole Ola),Thomas Troelsen, he pitched a demo version "that had a sort of whistle thing in it" to Pitbull.[3] On January 22, 2014,FIFA andSony Music Entertainment announced that "We Are One (Ole Ola)" would serve as theofficial song of the2014 FIFA World Cup.[4] At the occasion, Pitbull said, "I'm honored to join Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte at the FIFA World Cup to bring the world together. I truly believe that this great game and the power of music will help unify us because we are best when we are one."[5] Lopez said Pitbull asked her to join the song: "I can't take credit for this. This was one of Pitbull's call-ins. He had this record, and he's like, 'I think this record could be great for the World Cup. He's like, 'Will you do it with me?' And I go, 'Yeah, of course.'"[6] A solo version of the song featuring only Pitbull leaked online on February 2.[7] On April 8, Pitbull tweeted aniTunes Store link to the track, debuting the song.[8]
The song received generally lukewarm reviews. Carl Williott ofIdolator opined that there is too much of Pitbull in the song, and not enough Lopez or Leitte. He, however, stated that the song is an upgrade fromShakira's "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", the official song of the2010 FIFA World Cup.[9]Fuse.tv wrote that, similarly to "Waka Waka", the song "blends the feel of the tournament's hosting country with an accessible, exciting pop sound that has instant repeat appeal".[10] Judy Cantor-Navas ofBillboard described the song as "surprisingly breezy",[11] withSpin noting it to contain the "rah-rah international unity you'd expect for a Cup song".[12] Luís Antônio Giron ofÉpoca criticized the album saying "maybe I'm wrong and Brazil only crave to be the same as what FIFA wants it to be. Brazil isfifalized". And praised music produced in Miami, "bomb on any track."[13]
The song received some criticism from Brazilian and football fans over its tone and lyrics, particularly with the lyrics and video being labeled as a "big pile of clichés" and its failure to pay homage to Brazil's own rich musical heritage.[14][15] Such criticism has pointed out the small amount of actual Portuguese lyrics involved,[16] and critics stating their confusion to why "were Cuban-American rapper Pitbull and Bronx-born Puerto Rican singer Jennifer Lopez were chosen for the song, when there are so many other great musicians in the land of bossa nova", as well as its "reinforcement of stereotypes with smiling, barefoot children and semi-naked, samba-dancing women".[17][18][19]
In February 2014, Pitbull, Leitte and Lopez shot the music video for "We Are One (Ole Ola)" withOlodum inFort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. Its concept was to simulateCarnival in its home country Brazil with the Olodum mix of the song being used as the soundtrack. It was released on May 16, 2014.[8] As of November 2025, the video has received over 1 billion views.
In 2023, Pitbull, Lopez and Leitte performed "We Are One (Ole Ola)" at theMiss Universe 2023 inEl Salvador during the opening number of the contestants with the floralSwimsuits on November 18, 2023 andMiss Earth 2023 for the opening number of the contestants with theSwimsuits on December 22, 2023 inVietnam performancesBamboo Mañalac (instead Pitbull),Jimenez (instead Lopez) andAnahi (instead Leitte).
Engineered at Al Burna's Extreme Mobile Recording Studio; eightysevenfourteen Studios, Los Angeles, California; Luke's in the Boo,Malibu, California; Miami Lights Studio, Miami, Florida; and Delta Lab Studios,Copenhagen, Denmark
Pitbull vocals recorded at Al Burna's Extreme Mobile Recording Studio,Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. † Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 21. týden 2014 in the date selector.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 28. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: insert 201421 into search.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201426 into search. Retrieved 2014-07-04.
