R. Kelly’s World Cup anthem: Rainbows, wings, spirit, sacrifice, victory

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Sometimes a long explication on the nature of a song is a great way to examine it. Run through the lyrics, maybe discuss how they’re propelled by the music. Place it in a larger context, trace its history and its inspirations.

Other times, however, merely reprinting the lyrics will suffice. You get the point of the song from the kind of words the writer uses.

In the case of R. Kelly’s new track “Sign of Victory,” subtitled “The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup (TM) Anthem,” reprinting the exact lyrics isn’t even necessary; merely collecting the important nouns in the song will give you virtually all you need to know. (Articles, verbs, adjectives, prepositions, etc., unnecessary.)

It’s a typical Kelly slow jam, not the sexxxy kind but the inspirational kind -- more “I Believe I Can Fly,” less “(Sex) Love Is What We Makin’ ” -- and has as its anchor the beautiful backing vocals of the Soweto Spiritual Singers. Above this bed, Kelly sings the following nouns, in the following order:

colors, rainbows, sun, light, tunnel, heaven, victory, spirit, nations, wings, wind, journey, might, eyes, global warming, sacrifice, victory, heads, flag, win, games, victory, fighting, victory, darkness, victory, victory, sing, voices, victory.

Apparently, Mr. Kelly is spending most of his intellectual energy on the forthcoming continuation of his “Trapped in the Closet” song cycle.

Please, please, please, Mr. Kelly. This is what we want from you: Devote your attention to what you’re best at: Trapped in the Closet.

-- Randall Roberts

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