Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony: Theme Song Singers Announced! (Updated with Video and Lyrics)
Beijing Olympic News Press just announced that Chinese singer Liu Huan (刘欢) and British singer Sarah Brightman will be singing the Olympic theme song in opening ceremony on Aug. 8 2008. (source here.)
The theme song names <Dream> <You and Me>, presenting at the scene called <Dream>, and will be sung in English by above two artists. Rumors have said <Beijing Welcomes You> will be the theme song, and a few other singers have been projected to be the candidates. But now it is clear.
The next biggest mysteries for the opening ceremony are: who is the flagman for China team? and who will light the Olympic fire? Liu Xiang (刘翔) was one of the hottest candidate, but he has announced that he won’t participate the opening ceremony few days’ ago. Yao Ming (姚明) and Xu Haifeng (许海峰) who won the first gold medal for China in 1984 are in the top of the list.
Who is your candidate?
Music video of the theme song.
Lyrics of the Olympics Theme Song <You and Me>
Composed and Lyrics by 陈其钢 (Chen Qigang)
我和你，心连心，同住地球村
为梦想
千里行，相会在北京
来吧！
朋友，伸出你的手
我和你，心连心，永远一家人
You and Me From one world We are family
Travel dream
A thousand miles Meeting in Beijing
Come together
Put your hand in mine
You and Me From one world We are family
This post was last updated on Aug. 11 2008 by Min Guo.
I thought song zu ying (the ‘ernai’ from Wen) would light the flame?
Really Great Song!
Most of the singers are the Elite Chinese artist.
But, why no Jay Chou? Too Rapping? lol
I think you mean the song . I really like it too.
I couldn’t figure out why Jay Zhou is not in the list either….
Jay chou? No way, that guy can’t sing! He mumbles…
Caught the LIVE Opening of the Beijing Olympics last night. Loved the first few minutes: the awesome play of lights, the gifts of ancient China to the modern world, 2000 years of history, the synchronized drummers, the art of Tai Chi… heaps of stunning performances dotted with spectacular fireworks surrounding the birds’ nest stadium, which was another gift from ancient China.
Still, there were missing pieces. The Chinese in me wondered why the Yin and Yang symbol of peace and harmony, or the dance of the mythical dragon and phoenix around the legendary dragon-ball were not highlighted, because in my opinion these were some of the most powerful Chinese icons of unity, respect and humanity’s quest for excellence… all of which were aligned with the Olympic spirit.
So yes, overall, for a show of this scale, I expected better. One of my biggest disappointment was Chinese singer Liu Han – beside Sarah Brightman, he looked like he just walked out of the ‘mamak stall’. Notwithstanding the horrible, high-pitched song, which lyrics and meaning, I did not catch at all, I was disgusted at how he chose to dress: UGLY!!! He looked out of place and totally undeserving of the centre stage, beside SB, who looked like an angel, atop the world.
This brings me to my next complaint: almost no comprehensible translation was provided throughout the entire event. Despite my passable mandarin, the pride in my ancient roots, in the Chinese people coming together as one to welcome its brothers and sisters of the world to spark and fuel the Olympic spirit, was thus dampened by the lousy sound system, and lack of translation, which no one seemed to take heed of.
Seriously, there could easily have been running, on-screen titles, alongside an English translator to provide an English translation to make up for the abysmal sound system, as well as to aid the comprehension of the entire event. It’s hard to swallow how so much thought and detail have been put into each event, but so little consideration have been provided to aid the understanding and appreciation of the thoughts and details that have been painstakingly attended to, especially for those who did not understand the Chinese language of mandarin. Yes, the female voice over was not helpful enough- she just sounded like a robot, giving short, minimal explanation that completely left out so much of the thought behind each story that unfolded on the impressive scroll.
I’m saying this because it was hard enough for me to capture the essence with a translator beside me (hubby), informing me about details I would have completely missed out on if I were watching it on my own.
Next, I thought the pace of the walk-in of athletes into the centre of the birds’ nest’s stadium was too slow, too boring, unmoving, except for when the heads of states, or royalty from a country proudly stood up and cheered their athletes on. Most obviously, Great Britain and Japan. Looking at their inspirational support for their athletes forces me to ponder: what happened to Malaysia?! All dressed up in striking yellow, and hardly a wave to the adoring crowd… and where was the close-up support for our athletes? Probably, they’re too caught up with local political hiatus, or more conceivably, what happened to Brunei, our very close neighbor – I caught a mention of something about registration over the LIVE voice over, concerning their national identity words, “darul salam’ (every state in Malaysia has the same theme line, e.g. Negeri Sembilan, darul khusus; Negeri Selangor, darul ehsan, and so on) which I thought was a really stupid decision by their team to not register, even after they were invited to register until the last minute, and on top of their not apologizing for failing to register their athletes in time for the opening ceremony. Truly, to their shame and loss, becoming the only IOC (International Olympic Committee) member not competing in the Auspicious 2008 Olympics. Tsk-tsk-tsk!
That aside, I hope the closing will be friendlier and have a show of more sincerity. After these 16 days of determining the world’s best athletes, the coverage and closing will definitely be improved with the aid of an English translator, and running titles in the media coverage.
Impressive! Last night I saw the strangest dream i’d never dreamed before…To put an end to war…
i knew it that was sarah brightman..!! her voice always makes me cry..!!
hi,
can someone post the chords or guitar tabs of this song?
thanks
regards,
Ron
Can anyone tell me the name of the art form used on the large orange painting created by the dancers at the opening ceremony and where I might learn more about it?
Thanks,
Catti
what is the song title where all the dancers wore white gowns did the hand gestures like doves flying? i have been trying to find it in youtube but found nothing. if you know please email to bhakt.yap@gmail.com quickly as i am now in china and hoping to get the cd. thanks!
Justme, the name of this song is “Sky” (天空 in Chinese), sung by Tan Jing (谭晶). you can view the MV online here: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzU1NTE2NTY=.html/0
sorry forgot to add that the song title i wanted was performed towards the end of the opening ceremony. thanks.
I was wondering if anyone could tell me if they know two songs used in the opening ceremony?, in particular the one where twenty “fairies” (Buddhist apsaras of the Mogao Caves) were suspended in midair as they hovered near giant Olympic rings. this was such a beautiful song, also the song used in the next segment featured Kunqu, one of the oldest extant Chinese operas, with two opera artistes, a male singing and a female accompanying on a guzheng. Another male performer then paints on the scroll painting with a Chinese brush in front of several guzheng players. If anyone has the names or knows where i can buy them from or even if there are plans for a soundtrack for the olympics i’d be most grateful
What is the name of the music played when the Cauldron was lit?
It has beautiful sounds of drums beating in a very nice rhythm. Thanks.
makes me farting