The Olympic games get their share of face-time in big historical retrospectives of sports and pop culture and patriotism. But do you remember any of the official theme songs of Olympics past? Superproducer Giorgio Moroder wrote two of them: "Reach Out" for the '84 games in Los Angeles, and "Hand In Hand" for the '88 Seoul games (I have the corresponding LP for the latter in storage back home; I found it for like two dollars in a Jersey City used-vinyl shop). And now, according to a Chinese news site, Moroder is interested in writing a theme song for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Like "Hand in Hand," "Reach Out" manages to be both motivational and maudlin, and ultimately not that different from the original material Simon Cowell and friends make the American Idol contestants sing -- appeasing everyone while appealing to no one, being just likably vapid enough to keep the lawsuits at bay.
Moroder made some inspired music in the '80s, from the usual oft-cited soundtrack hits to albums with Nina Hagen and L.A.'s favorite sons Sparks. In 1984 he could have rolled out of bed and plucked a terrific Olympic contribution out of his left nostril. Instead, L.A. was given this.
Dear Giorgio: We're bidding for 2016. Come through for us or we're calling Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Recent Comments