Posted in: Musicouching by CHAN LEE PENG on July 1, 2008 | 40 Comments
These are the best songs of all time emulating the glory of the Olympic Games.
“Reach out”, the official theme song, was written by an Italian composer, Mr. Giorgio Moroder for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics which was broadcast worldwide.
“Hand in hand” is another official theme song written by Mr. Giorgio Moroder for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and was performed by a group of Koreana in Korean in the beginning of the song, accompanying with the English version.
“Oh if you put your hand in my hand
Put your trust in me and I won’t let you down
I will always be there for you
Oh if you put your heart in my heart
Take a walk with me and I will show you now
We can leave the pain behind us hand in hand”
The above quote of the song has then become famous to the world. Indeed, it has been regarded as the best songs ever composed for the Olympics. You can watch the video here.
“Barcelona”, the official theme song of the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, was composed by Mr. Freddie Mercury from Spain. He composed this song as soon as Barcelona was selected for the Olympic city after the Olympics in Seoul, Korea.
He was supposed to perform the song with an operatic soprano Montserrat Caballé, but due to his death a year before the Olympics, the song was played over a travelogue of the city instead at the opening ceremony. Due to Freddie’s death, the song was replaced with “Amigos Para Siempre” (Friends for Life), written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black, and sung by Sarah Brightman and José Carreras during the closing ceremonies.
“Reach”, the official theme song of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, U.S.A, was composed by Diane Warren and Gloria Estefan. This Olympics theme song Reach was originally sang by Gloria Estefan at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Gloria, a female singer, had once paralysis due to one major accident, but she had a strong determination to fight against the disease she was facing at that moment.
She did not succumb to a disease and finally she stood on the stage to sing Reach with all her heart which won her an award from the Grammy that year.
Her determination to live has inspired many people who listened to her song. “The Power of the Dream” was sung by Celine Dion during the closing ceremonies.
“The Flame”, the official theme song of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, was composed by John Foreman. The Flame was performed live by an Australian pop singer, Tina Arena at the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Games. Tina’s performance was amazing and she received as much attention for both her voice and dress. Indeed, her performance at the Olympic ceremony has won her a major boost in a singing career, which has marked a distinct departure for her upcoming albums. You can watch the video
“Oceania”, the official theme song of the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, was composed by Bjork. Oceania was performed by an eccentric Icelandic singer, Bjork before 70,000 spectators at the Greek Capital’s new Olympic Stadium at the four-hour opening ceremony, which was televised worldwide.
“Yongyuan de Pengyou” (Forever Friends) is the official theme song of the 2008 Olympics which will be held at the Beijing National Stadium in Beijing, China. This song was composed by Mr. Giorgio Moroder, Micheal Kunze and other musical composers. This theme song has already translated into Malay, Cantonese, Spanish, and English. You can watch the video here. On the 100th day before the games begin, about 100 artists were gathered in Beijing to perform the 100-day countdown theme song called “Beijing Huan Ying Ni” (Beijing Welcomes You). You can watch the video here. “One world one dream” was released to promote the Olympic Games in Beijing. You can watch the video here:
On the 100th day before the games begin, about 100 artists were gathered in Beijing to perform the 100-day countdown theme song called “Beijing Huan Ying Ni” (Beijing Welcomes You).
“One world one dream” was released to promote the Olympic Games in Beijing. .
According to “Songs that Unite the world” written by Kamau Mutunga that was published in Daily Nation on August 21, 2008, the 2008 Olympic theme song “You and Me (in Chinese ‘Wo he ni’)” was downloaded as many as 5 million times via wireless music platforms by 220,000 people per hour within 26 hours of its performance. This theme song was composed by a Chinese born, French composer, Chen Qi Gang. It was sung by a Chinese pop singer, Liu Huan, and a British soprano, Sarah Brightman before the 91,000 stadium audience during the opening ceremony of Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games on August 8, 2008. This theme song is aimed to unite people across the world regardless of their language, race, and religion. It’s indeed very touching and inspiring!The attached video of “You and Me” is first sung in Chinese and later in English.
alexa gates July 1st, 2008 at 11:00 pm
that’s really interesting!
Great research!
louie jerome July 2nd, 2008 at 4:25 am
Very interesting and topical
nobert soloria bermosa July 2nd, 2008 at 5:37 am
these are really great olympics songs,thanks
Andromeda July 2nd, 2008 at 8:44 am
Cool! I especially liked the song from ‘84. I was 2 years old that year and hadn’t heard it. Thanks!
tanu July 4th, 2008 at 3:01 am
I have been looking for a particular song which was probably sung at the olympics. The song goes like…..
” This is what we dream all our lives
Reaching for the highest goal we can
We build the dreams and when
the competition calls
the time records the victory in our hearts
To be number one
rising like the wind…………..
I only know this much
If anyone can send me the lyrics and also if i could hear the song i would really be grateful as it is an inspirational song and i wish to teach it to my students.
Thanks.
Lucy Lockett July 8th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Very nice!
billy August 1st, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I am wondering where can I find the 1988 olympic song that sang in chinese.
Erik Leung August 3rd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
to tanu: the song is one of the official theme song a World Cup (soccer, mostly likely Italy ‘94)
bejay August 3rd, 2008 at 9:56 pm
i don’t mind the song’s and tanu i don’t know what song it is? sorry
unknown name August 3rd, 2008 at 10:00 pm
for song’s are great!
Daniel J August 4th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
wow the Seoul Olympic Song really touches my heart. The olympic held at the peak of the cold war.. after US and USSR withdrew from Moscow and LA, Seoul was memorable in every aspect.
hand in hand..
and I agree that 94 Italy worldcup song was as good as 88 Seoul Song. Two Greatest of all time!
For this year’s olympic, the message kinda bothers me..
One world, One China, Harmony, Unity for Peace…
all that propaganda only makes me think of Chinese suppression of its hundreds of minority groups, genocide, and cultural cleansing. wtf
Manfred August 5th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
My absolute favourite olympic song 2008 is this TIBETAN version. Hear this song and look at the video, I am sure you will like it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXx_VjLHlQM
Daniel August 6th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I listened to this Tibetan song. It’s really good and so moving!!!
love china August 6th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
love peace
peace keeper August 6th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
i just wonder why such a small portion of insane people so overreacted to the beijing olympic games,stupidly and ignorantly. before you guys make unfair and negtive comments on china, do learn some facts and history first. don’t appear to be silly ! you don’t have the right to comment without any investigation and research( by chairman mao)
handinhand August 8th, 2008 at 2:42 am
where do i get to download all the olympic theme songs especially Hand-in-Hand ??
SmooQ August 10th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I like “pass the flame” one of the songs for Athens 2004
Jessie August 12th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
You missed the song “We’ll be one” which was performed by Nikki Webster in the Olympics Sydney 2000…I think that song and “The power of the dream” performed by Celine Dion were the best…
Jessie August 12th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
This is the link for the song “We’ll be one” sung by Nikki Webster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QWD1lbOVRg
buzzissi August 19th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
awesome Seoul Olympic Song !!
kerrie August 20th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Thanks for putting that together. I wanted it for school work for my senior classes .Much appreciated and a lot of work. Songs are great and moving.Hope the kids appreciate them too.
Hulky August 25th, 2008 at 11:54 am
My favoriet Song for Austraila Olympic Games 2000 is
“Magic Voices – First Of All”
Gloria Estefan Olympics theme song “Reach” is Amazing
Fe August 29th, 2008 at 12:12 am
Of course, Beijing’s olympic song was downloaded by many , because of high technology. Before there is no such thing like “download”. Think about it guys. Hand and Hand and Power of the Dreams are the best.
Nina September 1st, 2008 at 9:17 pm
“You and me” in Chinese “Wo he Ni”, is the official theme song of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Composed by Chinese born, French composer Chen Qi Gang.
person October 3rd, 2008 at 9:36 pm
hand in hand
so much movement
LOVE IT
Yael October 7th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Isn’t “Power of the Dream” (Celine Dion) the official Olympic song for the 1996 Olympics? It was the one sung during the opening ceremonies.
Memory Moua October 8th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
love the song “One World, One Dream.
Rebecca October 8th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
i love the song “You and Me (in Chinese ‘Wo he ni’)”
stew October 22nd, 2008 at 12:46 pm
i just want the main anthem they play going in and out of commercials. where do i find it?
Spera October 26th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
You missed “Dare to Dream” Sydney – 2000
Olivia Newton John and John Farnham
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGjOiXB5n4c
Other than that, thanks for putting this together.
MJM5 March 2nd, 2009 at 3:22 pm
HELLO!!! “Because We Believe” by Andrea Bocelli in 2006!!!
AJK April 19th, 2009 at 2:52 am
Hi all,
I am looking for a song which goes like “Everybody Rise up, believe in your dreams ” , it was composed for maybe the Australian Olympic Team, am not sure, anyone can help me locate the song.
Regds
poh ying wei April 25th, 2009 at 12:14 am
there song very nice !!!
ang xing li April 25th, 2009 at 12:16 am
very very nice
Anil May 15th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
We can see the fire in the sky
We feel the beating of our hearts together
This is our time to rise above
We know the chance is here to live forever
For all time
Hand in hand we stand
All across the land
We can make this world a better place in which to live
Hand in hand we can!
Start to understand
Breaking down the walls that come between us for all time
Arirang
Everytime we give it all
We feel the flame eternally inside us
Lift our hands up to the sky
The morning calm helps us to live in harmony
For all time
Hand in hand we stand
All across the land
We can make this world a better place in which to live
Hand in hand we can!
Start to understand
Breaking down the walls that come between us for all time
Arirang
sensonmathew@gmail.com May 16th, 2009 at 12:42 am
Hi.can anyone help me to get the original version music of the The Sydney 2000 Olympic Band (Part 1) Please inform from which source i can get it
Sean June 26th, 2009 at 6:23 am
In fact, I don’t think it is useful. Maybe you can search all the Olympic songs(you had better search them in their languags).
wachilei July 8th, 2009 at 10:45 am
more please…I thought there were penty of inspirational songs for the olympics..et al….post more videos please
Deb September 3rd, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Freddie Mercury was from Britain, not Spain. He was the lead singer of the rock group, Queen. “Barcelona” was the title track from one of his solo albums on which he collaborated with Montserrat Caballé.
hoàng Hiếu October 19th, 2009 at 2:35 am
nice! tuyệt vời