Since we’re experiencing the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, thoughts of my favorite Olympic themes come to mind. Right at the top of the list comes “REACH” by Gloria Estefan performed during the closing ceremonies of the 1996 games right here in my backyard in Atlanta, GA! The song still gives me chills and inspires me tremendously.
Here’s the video of the live performance. Pay close attention to the amazing choir behind her and the incredible drums as they build to a powerful conclusion. Majestic and inspirational, everything that an Olympic theme song should be about. Reaching…ever higher. Awesome.
Here’s the official music video
REACH
by Gloria Estefan
Some dreams live on in time forever
Those dreams, you want with all
Your heart
And I’ll do whatever it takes
Follow through with the promise I made
Put it all on the line
What I hoped for at last would be mine
If I could reach, higher
Just for one moment touch the sky
From that one moment
In my life
I’m gonna be stronger
Know that I’ve tried my
Very best
I’d put my spirit to the test
If I could reach
Some days are meant to be
Remembered
Those days we rise above
The stars
So I’ll go the distance
This time
Seeing more the higher
I climb
That the more I believe
All the more that this
Dream will be mine
If I could reach, higher
Just for one moment touch
The sky
From that one moment
In my life
I’m gonna be stronger
Know that I’ve tried my
Very best
I’d put my spirit to the test
If I could reach
If I could reach, higher
Just for one moment touch the sky
From that one moment
In my life
I’m gonna be stronger
I’m gonna be so much stronger
Yes I am
I put my spirit to the test
If I could reach, higher
If I could, if I could,
If I could reach
Reach, I’d reach, I’d reach
I’d reach, I’d reach so
Much higher
Be stronger