See the lyrics to, and the sporting stars behind, Australia’s inspiring, Paris Olympics song
Australia’s song for the Paris Olympics has been performed for the first time in Melbourne, at a special Prime Minister’s dinner on Saturday night. See the lyrics.
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Australia’s campaign for gold and glory at the Paris Olympics will be spurred on by a rousing new anthem, with input from some of our biggest sporting heroes.
Higher, sung by one of our most popular music stars, Jessica Mauboy, is the first official team song created to inspire Aussie athletes as they take on the world’s best athletes later this month at the 33rd Games.
Swimmer Cate Campbell, a four-time Olympic gold medallist, Anna Meares, Australia’s chef de mission for Paris and our most decorated female track cyclist of all time including two Olympic gold medals, and Winter Olympian Brodie Summers all collaborated on the inspirational track with Melbourne songwriter Shannon Busch and songwriter/producer Stephen Mowat.
Mauboy performed Higher for the first time in public in Melbourne on Saturday night at the Prime Minister’s Olympic Dinner at The Lume and will sing it in Paris on July 24 when Meares names Australia’s two flag bearers for the opening ceremony.
“We all know the power of music and its ability to unite people,’’ a proud Mauboy said.
“This song is exactly that. Higher captures the spirit and energy of our Olympic athletes and the lyrics resonate deeply with the journey many of us have experienced. It is a song that speaks to the challenges we face, and the determination that keeps us moving forward.
“The lyrics in the chorus are so inspiring and anthemic … they emphasise the importance of support, unity and fire within us that never fades, even in the face of adversity.”
Swimming legend Campbell, also chair of the Athletes’ Commission, said Australia’s Olympians would be inspired by the song’s message.
“Lyrically it speaks to the reality of an Olympian’s path to the Games and melodically, it’s a killer track,’’ Campbell said.
“It’s uplifting and a great chorus — I can just see our Olympic athletes in Paris belting this out, some better than others.”
Meares played a key role in the group that guided the song’s development.
“It didn’t take me long to go from slightly hesitant to eager contributor and all in,’’ Meares said.
“The song needed to be authentic if athletes were going to connect with it. Higher struck a chord from the outset.
“Being able to influence the creative process was something very different for us all and gave a great insight to the work behind the scenes to the art of music creation, much like the hard work not seen behind the scenes for an athlete preparing for the Olympics.”
Mauboy laid down the vocals in Sydney in late May with Simon Cohen of Studios 301. Under the guidance of executive producer Will Hyde and Warner Music Australia’s Marcus Thaine, Mowat then finalised production and Cohen mixed and mastered the song.
Hyde said it was passion project.
“I think that’s what makes Higher so special — it really does feel like an extension of the
team and has remained true to that throughout the whole process,’’ he said.
Higher will be released on July 11 and is available to pre-order/pre-save now via Warner Music Australia.
A who’s who of the sporting, political and business worlds gathered in Melbourne for the Prime Minister’s Olympics Dinner at The Lume on Saturday night.
The black tie event attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and fiance Jodie Haydon, featured 800 guests to celebrate the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams set to compete in Paris.
Recently retired swimming champion Cate Campbell joined a raft of former Olympians including chef de mission Anna Meares, Dawn Fraser, Steve Moneghetti, Lauren Burns, Sally Pearson and event co-hosts David Culbert and Giaan Rooney.
“I’m very newly retired and wasn’t even sure if I’d be able to come tonight,’’ Campbell said.
“To look around the room and see some incredible people is amazing. Once an Olympian, always an Olympian and to hang out and have a glass of champagne is a really great consolation prize.”
Nine flag bearers were honoured on the night including Raelene Boyle, Denise Boyd, Patty Mills, Max Metzker and Lauren Jackson who finds out this week if she will again be part of the Opals basketball team.
Albanese paid tribute to AOC Vice President John Coates.
“To, of course, my friend, the legend John Coates,’’ he said.
“It’s always easier to just say yes to John when he asks you something early, just saves time. He is an extraordinary champion of Australian sport, and I’m proud to call him my friend.”
Guests included former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg and wife Amie, business leaders Peter Fox, Sam Beck, Raphael and Fiona Geminder, Bunnings CEO Michael Schneider, Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson, Wesfarmers CEO Rob Scott, HWT chairman Penny Fowler, outgoing Richmond CEO Brendon Gale, Grand Prix chief Travis Auld, VRC board member Ann Peacock, Channel 9 host Eddie McGuire, Member for Nepean Sam Groth and outgoing Lord Mayor Sally Capp at her last official function.
Singer Jessica Mauboy performed for the first time the Olympics team song called Higher, just before the likes of Natalie Bassingthwaite, Kate Ceberano and Dami Im took to the stage to keep the celebrations going.
Boyle said: “It’s always exciting, this is a big event, particularly after what happened in Tokyo. The games need a good high profile lot of performances and excitement to get themselves back up and running.”
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