Lead composer of 'The Game of Love and Unity', Rupee, shares the spotlight at Thursday night's ICC CWC 2007 official song launch with mascot Mello. - Contributed

THE VOICES of Jamaican-born Shaggy, Barbadian entertainer Rupee and Trinidadian Faye-Ann Lyons will grace the airwaves across the region and the world following Thursday night's two-hour presentation which introduced the tournament's official Cricket World Cup song entitled The game of Love and Unity. After months of planning and creation, ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc. can proudly present to the world the signature tournament song which is expected to be on the lips of thousands visitors to next year's tournament.

"The official song has had the input of a number of Caribbean and CWC stakeholders and I think the event and the region will have a song of which they can be proud," said ICC CWC 2007 marketing manager, Damon Leon. "We have been looking forward to launching the song to the world and embracing it as part of the spirit and identity of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007," Leon said. Leon also indicated that "the release of the song will herald a burst of promotional activity as we move towards the tournament."

Magnificent project

On behalf of the artistes, entertainer Rupee stated: "It is a pleasure working on such a magnificent project. We are going to showcase the best of the Caribbean to the world, including our diverse creative talent and our hospitality when we host the tournament."

A host of executives from the music and recording industry, CWC stakeholders, officials from the Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana Local Organising Committees (LOC), sponsors and media representatives attended the event to launch of the song, which ensures that ICC CWC WI 2007 brings not only sporting action to the world, but a display of Caribbean creativity as well.

Guests were afforded the opportunity to mingle awhile prior to the official start of the launch which comprised a live performance of The Game of Love and Unity, several tributes and a fashion segment to showcase officially ICC CWC WI 2007 merchandise. Rupee is the lead composer of the ICC CWC 2007 official song. Driven by his unique musical style which has created hits such as Jump and Tempted to Touch, the popular composer and performer brings a blend of urban influenced Caribbean music to this historic track. Internationally acclaimed artiste and Grammy Award winner Shaggy is best known for his hit singles Oh Carolina, It Wasn't Me, Angel, and many others.

Shaggy has been one of the biggest crossover successes in dancehall reggae and brings his inimitable, distinctive style to the Cricket World Cup official song. Faye-Ann Lyons is rapidly establishing herself as a musical force to be reckoned with following her Trinidad and Tobago road march winning song Display. She became only the third woman in the competition's history to win this prestigious award and has used this as the platform to launch an escalating solo career. With crowd and club favourites such as Freedom, Lose Your Way and Send Dem, Faye Ann brings her energetic and powerful voice to the official song.

THE GAME OF LOVE AND UNITY

Chorus (at the start)

Play, in this beautiful game

Where the rules and aim

Remain the same

It's the game of love unity

Play, in this beautiful game

Where the rules and aim

Will never change

It's the game of love unity

Verse 1

Sending out invitations

All over the world

Every race, every class,

Every man, every girl

Whether near, whether far

Come and join in the fun

(Oh na na na)

This is it, one big game that you cannot miss

No matter who you are - everyone's on the list

This is the game of life and we all are one

(So come along)

Chorus (repeated twice)

Play, in this beautiful game

Where the rules and aim

Remain the same

It's the game of love unity

Play, in this beautiful game

Where the rules and aim

Will never change

It's the game of love unity

Dancehall breakaway (repeated twice)

We run the place

We set the pace

We lead the chase

Everybody participate and -

No time to waste

Lift up the pace and celebrate

It's our obligation

We fascinate, we captivate

Your mind, your heart, soul and

Rhythm of the nation

We play, we play

We feel the game

Come on, come on

Let me see you gyrate

Verse 2

Bring along all your friends

And tell them join in

Cause this game never ends

Once it begins

We will spread peace and love

For eternity

All your worries and stress

Let them all go

We won't settle for less

Cause we're all MELLO

Bring your heart and your soul and set your mind free

Chorus (repeated twice)

Play, in this beautiful game

Where the rules and aim

Remain the same

It's the game of love unity

Play, in this beautiful game

Where the rules and aim

Will never change

It's the game of love unity

Bridge

We will rejoice

And sound our voice

Cause we are one together

L.O.V.E. and unity,

Forever

Chorus (repeated to the end)

Play, in this beautiful game

Where the rules and aim

Remain the same

It's the game of love unity

Play, in this beautiful game

Where the rules and aim

Will never change

It's the game of love unity