Musical Moments of the 2012 Olympics

Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jespen

Missy Franklin, Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and company dominated in the pool during the eight days of swimming competition in London. However, before the games began Team USA swimmers showcased their lip-synching and dancing prowess to the Carly Rae Jespen hit Call Me Maybe in this video. If you haven't watched the whole thing, do it now!

Home by Phillip Phillips

This debut single by American Idol winner Phillip Phillips was released back at the beginning of June, and it is currently ranked 2nd on the iTunes top singles list (one spot above Call Me Maybe). I would not be surprised if its ranking was boosted by the fact that it has been the theme song for the USA Gymnastics "Fab Five" during these Games. This song has played in the background every time NBC has shown a preview of women's gymnastics events, featuring close-ups and voice snippets of Fab Five members. I will forever associate Home with Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross, and Aly Raisman and the memory of them capturing the second ever team gold for the USA in women's gymnastics.

Live and Let Die by Escala

I love the floor exercise music selections of Team USA for these Olympics, particularly Kyla Ross' Phantom of the Opera, Jordyn Wieber's Wild Dances, and Aly Raisman's Hebrew folk music (can't remember exact name and spelling and don't want to Google it right now for fear of accidentally seeing spoilers for the floor exercise event finals). However, my favorite floor exercise music I've heard during these Olympics is Escala's instrumental arrangement of Live and Let Die that British gymnast Beth Tweddle used in the qualification round and team finals. It's just so fun and full of energy and I would totally use it if I was a gymnast.

Bugler's Dream and Olympic Fanfare & Theme

Then of course there is the classic Bugler's Dream composed by Leo Arnaud and Olympic Fanfare and Theme composed by John Williams that have been a staple of every Olympics for years. Bugler's Dream was originally composed for the 1968 Olympics and Olympic Fanfare and Theme was originally composed for the 1984 Olympics. Watch this YouTube video that has a medley of the two pieces set to a montage of great Olympic moments.

And last but not least, I get chills every time I hear The Star Spangled Banner playing with an American athlete(s) at the top of the medal podium. 

What favorite songs do you associate with the Olympics?

-L

xoxo