Start the Fire (Tarkan song)

"Start the Fire" is a song by Turkish singer Tarkan, released in 2006 as the official theme song for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. While not the official anthem, it was designated as a promotional song and was performed by Tarkan during the World Cup events.

The song, primarily in English with a few Turkish phrases, is an upbeat, high-energy pop song intended to generate excitement and anticipation for the football tournament. Its lyrics focus on themes of passion, competition, and the unifying power of sport. It was designed to appeal to a broad international audience.

The song received mixed reviews upon release. While some critics praised its catchy melody and energy, others criticized its generic sound and lack of originality. Despite the mixed critical reception, "Start the Fire" achieved considerable commercial success, charting in various European countries. It helped to raise Tarkan's international profile.

The song was co-written by Tarkan and produced by Ozan Çolakoğlu, a frequent collaborator of Tarkan's. The accompanying music video featured Tarkan performing the song against a backdrop of stylized visuals related to football and the World Cup. The single was released in multiple formats, including CD and digital download.