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10 Olympic Songs of All Time

What really make each Olympic event a success, interesting, and worth catching is the song being rendered and sung by a chosen singer that would prepare the moods and minds of all spectators, fans, media, and everyone across the world to support and watch it until the last day of the event. In fact, the last day of London Olympics 2012 was really full of spirit, and had made everyone cried especially the reunion of the Spice Girls who were once gained the popularity, and recognition of the world during 1990s. In any specific event being held and done in the world, there is always a specific theme that will be interpreted through songs. For the past decades that Olympics commenced in 1896, there had been numbers of Olympic songs that people heard, some were moved, while others gave comments to improve the tone, the rhythm and even the lyrics. On this list, you would find not just collections, but selected best pieces that known to be the top 10 Olympic songs that have touched the hearts of the people, and brought spirit of participation and unity to other countries.

10. The Flame by Tina Arena (Sydney Olympic 2000)

This song was sung during the opening ceremony of Sydney Olympics 2000. In cooperation with Sony Music & BMG, they were able to compile songs for the said event which became the official album and music for the Opening Ceremony wherein The Flame that sung by Tina Arena was included along with the songs performed by John Farnham & Oliva Newton John, Vanessa Amorosi, and Julie Anthony & Human Nature. The song itself is already notable and noteworthy and the fact that lyrics and emotions manifested by the renowned singer Tina Arena was really impressive at all.

9. A Chance for Heaven by Christopher Cross ( LA Olympics 1984)

This was the official track of the Los Angeles Games in 1984 which was the 33rd Olympiad since the Olympics began in 1896. It was produced by Columbia Records which was primarily dedicated for swimming competition. In fact, he did not just sing the song with full of patriotism, but he co-wrote the lyrics that defined the turn of events in the Olympics realm that took place in LA.

8. Spinnin’ For 2012 by Dionne Bromfield & Tinchy Stryder (London Olympics 2012)

Months prior to the official event of London Olympics, there were series of updates about the Olympic Song that being prepared which will be sung by Dionne Bromfield & Tinchy Stryder. In fact, last September 23, 2011 the song entitled Spinnin’ for 2012 was released for digital download through iTunes and Amazon. It was recorded in 2011 and its label is Lioness Records & Universal Island Records. It was written by the songwriter and singer herself Dionne Bromfield and Kwasi Danquah III. Moroever, it is also the official song for Olympic Torch in 2012 which is included in Good for the Soul Album of Bromfield.

7. Amigos Para Siempre by Sarah Brightman & Jose Carreras ( Barcelona Olympics 1992)

Its English translation is Friends for Life which was sung during the closing ceremony of Barcelona Games in 1992 which was also the official theme for the Olympics. This was written by Don Black and the music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It had also another rendition which became popular in Spain and which was sung by Los Manolos group. Its official label is under Polydor and classified as classical music.

6. Reach by Gloria Estefan ( Atlanta Olympics 1996)

This was the official Olympic Song for Atlanta Games in 1996 which was sung during the closing ceremony of the event. It was released on April 02, 1996, but the recording took place between 1995 and 1996. The lyrics were composed by Dianne Warren and the singer of the song, Gloria Estefan. It was one of the official songs in that said Olympic events and was part of the nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance during that time. Another version of it was recorded entitled Puedes Llagar along with other popular singers like Alejandro Fernandez and Julio Iglesias. It’s part of the Official Atlanta Album entitled Rhythm of Games. 

5. Oceania by BJork ( Athen Olympics 2004)

This was one of the mind thrilling performances that the world had witnessed when BJork sung the official Olympic song for Athens Olympics 2004 entitled Oceania. It was sung during the opening ceremony despite that it was just part of the album that BJork released that year entitled Medulla. The content of the song focused on the view of the ocean which has similar comparison to human’s evolution.

4. The Power of the Dream by Celine Dion ( Atlanta Olympics 1996)

This was one of the most powerful Olympic Songs sung in the history of Olympics which was performed by Celine Dion during the opening ceremony in 1996 Atlanta Olympics. It was under the label of Epic Columbia, and written by Babyface and David Foster. It was released on August 20, 1996, and produced by Linda Thompson, Babyface and David Foster. She was accompanied by David Foster on the piano along with the Centennial Choir and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. It has sold 75,000 copies in Japan wherein it received Gold certification for reaching that number of sales.

3. Hand in Hand by Koreana ( Seoul Olympics 1988)

This was the official theme song of Seoul Olympics held in 1988 which was sung by Koreana. This song runs for about 4 minutes and 13 seconds. Its Korean translation is Son-e Son Japgo which was written by Kim Moon-hwan while its English lyrics were written by Tom Whitlock. Its album has sold more than 13 million copies across the globe and its number one in chart in countries like Hongkong, Japan, Germany, Spain, and Sweden. Koreana was a known bi-lingual Korean group that officially chosen to give justice to the song.

2. One Moment in Time by Whitney Houston ( Seoul Olympics 1988)

Nothing could really contest on the effect and influence of this award winning song from Emmy Award giving body which was recorded and sung by the prominent and respected singer, Whitney Houston during the Summer Olympics in 1998 held in Seoul. It was sung as well during the Summer Paralympics which took place in the same venue. This song came out of inspiration of the composers John Bettis and Albert Hammond for Elvis Presley’s legacy. They had imagined already that this song will be performed by the late rocker Elvis Presley, but it was really impossible since he already passed away in 1977. It was part of the official Summer Olympics Album in 1988 entitled One Moment in Time. She sung it on the main ceremony of the event, and it was released by Arista Records that same year which became a big hit in some countries specifically in United Kingdom.

1. Barcelona by Freddie Mercury & Monserrat Caballé ( Barcelona Olympics 1992)

It was released on October 26, 1987, but officially recorded in between 1987 and 1988. It was written by Freddie Mercury and Mike Moran and also produced by them along with David Richards. It was sung by Freddie Mercury who was the lead vocalist of the Queen and Monserrat Caballe who was a known operatic soprano singer. In 1992, it served as an opening concert for Barcelona Olympics 1992 which was a recognized best hymn and theme song for all Olympic Songs that ever sung and performed in the history. In fact, it ranked #2 on the music charts in Netherlands, New Zealand, and United Kingdom.