Go For The Gold

The Olympics. Each of us can remember amazing moments throughout our lives when we watched incredible athletes from around the world perform incredible feats, fulfilling  their dreams to compete, representing their respective countries. The Olympics are known the interlocking rings logo, the opening and closing ceremony pageantry, the “walk in” and closing ceremonies and of course the musical themes. But one that doesn’t immediately come to mind is something that the Olympics would be, figuratively speaking, naked without: The music. After all, when one thinks of the Olympic games, one of the first things that pops into our heads would probably be this theme, written by Leo Arnaud, known as the Bugler’s Dream from “Charge,” There’s something about it that stirs your soul. Here’s some trivia and soundtracks I think you’ll enjoy. Thanks to youtube.com. wikipedia.com and medium writer Paulo Camacho. (Let the music clips play out, as I’m sure you’ll enjoy the full compositions) Go Team USA!!

 “Bugler’s Dream” was a piece by the late French-American composer Leo Arnaud, commissioned for conductor Felix Slatkin’s album, Charge!, back in 1958. ABC began using the theme for its Olympic coverage starting in 1968, for the Winter Games, and has been a staple for Olympic music ever since.

While “Bugler’s Dream” is synonymous with the Olympic games, it’s actually not the Olympics’ official theme. That title goes to this lesser-known piece: “The Olympic Hymn.” More informally known as “the Olympic Anthem” – a piece commissioned by the first President of the Olympic International Committee, Demetrius Vikelas, before the first Modern Olympic Games of 1896. 

Being that the Ancient Olympic Games were held in Greece, and seeing that the first edition of the Modern Games were held in Athens, the song was pieced together by two Greeks — opera composer Spyridon Samaras arranged the choral cantata, while renowned poet Kostis Palamas arranged the lyrics. They translate to a celebration of the values that the Olympics are meant to embody: Unity, Honor, Grace, Beauty, and Love.

John Williams (think Star Wars music fame) composed the equally-recognizable “Olympic Fanfare and Theme” for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Most Americans are used to the updated “Olympic Fanfare and Theme” track, released in 1996 for the Atlanta Games. The original intro was replaced with the opening to “Bugler’s Dream.”

Regardless, while Williams didn’t technically write the full Olympic Fanfare as it is known today, his work with the Olympic games is just as iconic. Take his third work for the Olympic games, “Summon The Heroes,” commissioned specifically for the 1996 Games, with a grand orchestral composition that practically screams “heroic, majestic pride” to the average listener.

Olympic music, with its memorable melodies and lingering grandeur, embodies what the Olympic games are all about. It seems, without these quintessential compositions, the games would lose a level of its very meaning. 

Here’s a list of official songs from summer and winter Olympics, featuring famous singers and composers at the time of the games. These videos and songs are amazing – and fun to see them change with the times.