Lead singer Claire Johnston told an interviewer that the band wanted to produce "a 'roots' album… infused with… contemporary influences".

Prior to the Mango Groove version, the song had been recorded by singer Ayanda Nhlangothi for the album Rights Africa (EMI, 2000).

It was written to be an inspiring anthem, as Brasil was competing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa that year.

[4] Dave Durbach of the online magazine Mahala felt the album lacked innovation, and that the band had "played it too safe".

While he found merit in some songs—such as "Utolika" and "This Is Not a Party", he observed that the sentimental ballads "My Blue Ocean" and "Lay Down your Heart" were far too similar to such fan favourites as "Moments Away" and "Another Country".

[11][12][13] After hearing the band play the album's title track, "Bang the Drum", at Spier Gardens, News24 reporter Nadine Theron mused: Why oh why did they not write the official 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem?

But a Mango Groove anthem could've finally shaken up some World Cup pride [and] reawakened the '95 spirit and rainbow nation nostalgia.