The Olympics are currently underway and one of the best aspects of them, besides the athletes competing for medals, is the music. Each games have a theme song that captures the mood of the Summer or Winter Olympic games. There have been some incredible songs over the years.
Some songs have turned into ones that we remember forever and even charted. Just like the athletes, only the best of the best have been asked to record Olympic songs.
Be sure to tune into the Olympics on NBC to find out which athletes take home a medal and to support your country.
Here are the top 5 Olympic theme songs.
“Home” by Phillip Phillips
Perhaps the most popular Olympic song of all-time, “Home” by Phillip Phillips perfectly captured the theme of the Olympics- making wherever you were your home and you’re fighting to get that medal for your home country. The American Idol winner’s song was used in the 2012 Olympics. Many radio stations started playing the song, due to its popularity. Phillips commented “It’s an honor for them to use that song, and I’m so proud of it and how well it has done.”
“Rise” by Katy Perry
“Rise” might be one of Perry’s most underrated singles of all-time. It is a mid-tempo electronic song with its lyrics having a theme of victory and rising above one’s opponents, which is perfect for the Olympics. The song charted in many countries and was featured during US television coverage of the 2016 games. “This is a song that’s been brewing inside me for years, that has finally come to the surface,” Perry said of “Rise” in a statement. “I was inspired to finish it now, rather than save it for my next album, because now more than ever, there is a need for our world to unite,” Perry said in a statement.
“Remember This” by The Jonas Brothers
“Remember This” is a song that can be used for any moment in time that you never want to forget and for the athletes the Olympics is definitely one of those moments. It is the title track of the Jonas Brothers’ upcoming tour. The song played during the 2020 Olympic trials. An in-game version played during the Olympic Dreams Featuring The Jonas Brothers on July 21. It contained different lyrics relating to the Olympics and Team USA. There are rumors that the brothers will perform it at the closing ceremonies.
“One Moment In Time” by Whitney Houston
“One Moment In Time” is a sentimental ballad by Whitney Houston for the 1988 Olympic Games that appeared on the soundtrack album for the games. The song was her third number one single in the UK Singles Chart and reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100. It became a worldwide anthem. Houston performed the song at the 31st Grammy Awards, and other events, and received a standing ovation.
“Barcelona” by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe
“Barcelona” was released by Freddie Mercury and operatic soprano Montserrat Caballe. After Mercury’s death in 1991, it was featured in the 1992 Summer Olympics. This made the track climb higher up the charts, reaching number two in many countries. Barcelona was where the Olympics were going to take place that year, so it only felt right to include that song. “Barcelona” reflects Mercury’s love for Opera.
Which Olympic song is your favorite?