A proper WBH recap of the marvelous London Olympics is forthcoming, but before that, I want to address something that some may have overlooked: the FANTASTIC music of the Games, from the opening ceremony to the events straight through to the closing ceremony. Of course the opening and closing ceremonies featured the Best of British Music for the Last Fifty Years, and for the most part, did a pretty good job, with tons of classic rock from the Beatles, the Who, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and more. Hell, British electronic legends Underworld were chosen as musical directors of the OC. But the choonage wasn’t limited to the start and finish: if you listened at quiet moments in the various stadiums, arenas, and other venues, there was a pretty banging soundtrack there too. Also, the official song of the olympics was a sick choice: “Survival” by Muse, currently the most talented and biggest band in Britain, and a song officially released the day it was chosen as the official song, not even a month before the Games opened:
For other great songs featured in the Games, follow the jump
This list is nowhere near exhaustive, but this is what sticks out. Pretty good list of choons!
Opening Ceremony songs of a more modern/electronic vibe:
“I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor” by the Arctic Monkeys
“Born Slippy .nuxx” by Underworld
“Dark and Long” by Underworld
“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by the Eurythmics
“Firestarter” by the Prodigy
“Pass Out” by Tinie Tempah,
Events soundtrack (mostly):
“Bittersweet Symphony” by the Verve
“Resistance” by Muse
“Right Here Right Now” by Fatboy Slim (played in an arena, later played live in the CC)
“Time to Pretend” by MGMT
“Kids” also by MGMT
“Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People
“Rez” by Underworld
“Genesis” by Justice
“Blue Monday” by New Order
“Wonderwall” by Oasis (later played live at CC)
“Dynamite” by Taio Cruz (live @CC)
ALSO, Muse and Queen back to back totally DESTROYED at the closing ceremony. I’ve seen Muse live so knew what to expect, but Brian May rocked harder than I thought possible! A total rock god if there ever was one.
Here are two videos filmed live by people in attendance:
PS, EPIC MOTHERFUCKING FAIL TO NBC, THE NATIONAL BULLSHIT CHANNEL, FOR CUTTING OUT MUSE. Only the biggest band in the UK, and only the official song of the Olympics. May they burn in hell. If you’re in the UK, or have a UK proxy/VPN/IP address, watch the unedited ceremony on the BBC here. Muse is on at about 2:11.
