An Epic Summer Olympic Playlist
Introduction
I just got out my thermometer to confirm and, yep, it’s official: I have Olympic Fever. Like much of the world, I have been glued to my TV watching the Paris Olympics for the past few days. I confess that I am, at best, a fair-weather fan of most of the sports that take place during the Summer Games, but one symptom of Olympic Fever is suddenly caring deeply about things you recently knew next to nothing about.
Track 1: John Williams and the Berlin Philharmonic, "Olympic Fanfare and Theme"
Let’s begin with some fanfare. The prolific composer John Williams – best known for his film scores – has written four different Olympic themes over the years. But his first, composed for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, is still probably the most widely recognizable. "Olympic Fanfare and Theme" is guaranteed to bring a sense of triumphant grandeur to whatever you’re doing. Put this on at the end of a run and you will be physically unable to slow down.
Track 2: Whitney Houston, "One Moment in Time"
Nobody could sell an inspirational ballad quite like Whitney Houston. Written for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, this celebratory song hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a worldwide hit during the Games. Houston gave what is arguably the definitive performance of "One Moment in Time" at the 1989 Grammy Awards.
Track 3: Gloria Estefan, "Reach"
Two things that immediately come to mind when I think of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics: Kerri Strug’s heroic vault that helped secure the U.S. women’s gymnastic team’s first-ever gold medal, and this ubiquitous Gloria Estefan power ballad, written by Diane Warren for the Games. Having made a difficult recovery from a tour bus accident in 1990, Estefan’s personal triumph over adversity added depth to her performance.
Track 4: Björk, "Oceania"
When the International Olympic Committee asked Björk to write, as she put it, "a kind of ‘Ebony and Ivory’ or ‘We Are the World’ type song" for the 2004 Athens Olympics opening ceremony, it had to know that the Icelandic iconoclast wasn’t going to go the traditional route. "When I tried to write an Olympic lyric, though," she later told The Independent, "it was full of sports socks and ribbons. I ended up pissing myself laughing." It wasn’t until she called on a previous collaborator, the Icelandic poet Sjón, that she hit upon a quintessentially Björk idea: What if she wrote a song from the perspective of the ocean? The result was this sensual and sputtering composition, which she performed at the opening ceremony and which also appeared on her fifth studio album, "Medúlla."
Track 5: Giorgio Moroder featuring Paul Engemann, "Reach Out"
Moroder has had a hand in two official Olympic songs: "Hand in Hand," a hit from the 1988 Seoul Games performed by the South Korean group Koreana, and this galvanizing tune from the 1984 Games which also appeared on his 1985 album "Innovisions." Led by rousing synthesizers and vocals from Paul Engemann, "Reach Out" is as sleek and gloriously ’80s as a FloJo bodysuit.
Track 6: Celine Dion, "The Power of the Dream"
Shortly after the release of her smash 1996 album "Falling into You," Dion performed this song at the opening ceremony of the Atlanta games – an important moment in her crossover into global superstardom.
Track 7: Édith Piaf, "Hymne à l’Amour"
On Friday night, Dion gave another stirring opening ceremony performance destined to go down in history, singing this song made famous by Piaf inside the Eiffel Tower to kick off the 2024 Paris Olympics. Nailing her first live performance since 2020 – she had canceled tour dates after revealing her diagnosis with stiff person syndrome in 2022 – Dion’s feat was as daring and ultimately triumphant as those of the athletes she was there to honor.
Conclusion
This playlist is designed to transport you to the excitement and drama of the Olympic Games. With its mix of grandeur, majesty, and schmaltz, it’s guaranteed to get you pumped up and ready to cheer on your favorite athletes. So go ahead, put on your most patriotic attire, and get ready to rock out to the soundtrack of the Summer Games.
FAQs
Q: What is the perfect playlist for the Summer Olympics?
A: This one, of course!
Q: Why should I listen to Édith Piaf at the Olympics?
A: Because nothing says "French elegance" like Piaf’s iconic vocals.
Q: Can I use this playlist for any other occasion?
A: Absolutely! This playlist is perfect for any high-energy event, from a workout to a party.
Q: Will this playlist give me Olympic Fever?
A: Hopefully!
