I was one of the 1000 drummers used in this section. I'm so proud of what we achieved and so happy that the feedback has been positive. Have a great games.
The thing that really sold this for me, what really got me was: China was so regimented and precise, and London was to utterly chaotic and human. So very human. That's what I always remember.
i remember reading an australian review and they said “this is a country of royals and aristocrats, but boyle’s show rejoiced in the commoner" and i think that’s a really apt description
China was interesting and amazing to look at, mainly cause I enjoy Asian History and Traditions but London had a lot of VERY recent things to show, lots of smart, famous, talented, and funny people that we all know and love. It's like these Ceremonies are a representation of the Countries Character. China appears strict, traditional, and proud and UK appears wild and just fucking delightful.
Can't listen to this beautiful music without a tear in the eyes. The industrial revolution section is one of the best things that has ever been telecast on television!
I rememeber watching it on TV live with my mouth open - The rings at the end!!!! Just incredible. I really wish I could have been there to see it in the stadium.
I'm not even British and I feel the same way! The industrial revolution really demonstrated to all of humankind that its potential for greatness could be limitless.
If ever there was a theme song for human achievement in the past 250,000 years, this would nail it. It should be used as opening music for a documentary on humans
No one will ever top this. Great music, no kids miming, no jingoism and national parades and no showing off. Just the history of a nation seen through the ordinary people that shaped it. Fantastic.
+vanillaorchid. Good point about no miming. Who can ever forget the Chinese girl miming during the Beijing Opening Ceremony. Truly embarrassing, but perhaps not quite as embarrassing as the rows of empty seats at the events. You didn't see any of that in London!
China showed highly-regimented drones obeying the orders of authority to create an atmosphere of power. We showed the poor masses of Britain emerging from the countryside to build an industrial superpower with their own hands that shaped the modern world. Everyone, from lord to labourer, forging greatness never before seen. Their display was impressive, but it had no heart. It was trying to send a message of what China will be. We told a story, of what we have already done, of what we truly are. We don't need to prove ourselves because our achievements speak for themselves, and so we merely celebrate them, secure in our place of greatness. I don't know which is objectively better, but I know which has meaning to me. This just feels more authentic.
Was one of the 1000 Pandemonium drummers - I cannot adequately express the love and respect each and every one of us feel for Rick Smith - he was inspirational!
I will remember 2012 the rest of my life as the year it was cool to be British. We did a good job with the olympics and the paralympics. Thanks to all that made it what it was, they did a great job. they diden't just isprie the young they insprired all us Brits, THANK YOU for the best summer of my life.
I was in the cast of the Industrial Revolution Pandemonium section and this epic anthem will stay with me forever. Whenever I hear it it brings tears of pride to my eyes that we as a band of amateur volunteers pulled this off live in front of a worldwide TV audience of about 1 billion as well as the 80,000+ in the stadium. Total respect to Karl & Rick from Underworld, Danny Boyle, Toby Sedgwick, all the creative & production teams, dance captains, the insane drummers and the rest of the cast.
Best part of the London Olympics. This piece of music represents so much, industrialisation, progress, technology, the dream of better times ahead and the determination to make it real. The UK lead the world into becoming a modern industrial civilisation.
As one of the volunteer drummers in this sequence I was immensely proud to have taken part - for me it was not about being british, but about being part of the international spirit of the olympics with a diverse group of people from around the country, and around the world.
Be proud of taking part of this! And never forget what you took part in. On the sofa with the sound up full blast at home watching this past midnight was just insane in 2012 i will never ever forget this in my life!!!!! Im proud to be 🇬🇧 too!
And I, along with all of your other neighbors across the pond, are just as proud to essentially be birthed from such a proud nation as Britain and built up by the strength and skill of Irish immigrants. The United States and the United Kingdom are united together!
I will never forget the moment I watched the london opening ceremony staying up the whole night. It was so magnificent and marvelous. When I was watching the industrial revolution scene with this music, I almost cried because it was such a breath-taking and great history. It gave me a lot of chill and goosebumps. It was beyond description. I can't put my feeling into words perfectly. Thank you London. Thank you Great Britain. Thank you Underworld.
I initially switched on TV fully expecting to watch and cringe as we produced somthing bland and embarrassing. Then this played and the volunteers went through their moves in the arena. I grew several inches that day and was proud to be British. It was brilliant and as a piece of inspirational music sits at the top of my play list alongside Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem.
+jo jo I am patriotic Jo but regardless this was an inspired piece of music. What a great way of showing the world how much this little county has influenced it. It crosses so many boundaries.
Many years later still mesmerising, captivating, heartbreaking, exhilarating and spiritually rendering. Portrayed history and humanity at its most vulnerable and powerful, full of expectation, but with no certain outcome, like sport itself. As a Londoner living just a mile from the stadium at the time (and luckily with the fortune to attend a couple days events), I could relate to lots of the story and symbolism in this piece. I pray this important and iconic production and its anthem live on for decades, as a reminder (especially given incredibly dark times, worldwide, barely a decade later), of the unshakeable collective power of the people. Past, present and future. Heartfelt thank you and well done to all the creators and participants involved. Blessings.
Ignore him, ignorant comments like that shouldn't be tolerated with this song and this event about the world coming together, I'm british and I was deeply moved with this display and music and made me so proud of my country but more proud that other countries like America loved it too. People seem to forget this isn't just about England, it's our world being united under one banner.
I always cannot just get enough of how beautiful and perfect the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony, especially this part. And I am not even British. Greetingsfrom the Philppines 🇵🇭 It gives me goosebumps everytime, and will never get tired of it.
I heard one of the main organisers of the opening ceremony on the radio recently. He said it took over a year for Underworld to write and produce this epic masterpiece.
Has any public event in Britain, in living memory, brought us all together like this? I've been living in France for the last twenty years. A couple of days ago I read Jonathan Coe's Brexit novel Middle England, in which one of the characters is watching the ceremony on TV. This led me to track it down on RUclips and I swear to God, for the rest of the day I was no good to man nor beast. The tears were flowing! Thank you Danny Boyle, Underworld, and all the thousands who took part. You gave us something so beautiful.
I'm not even British and I was proud of Britain watching this segment in awe. It makes you realize how important ordinary people were in shaping the future.
My fav part of this is the chanting and shouting from the drummers. Just adds such a large-scale "human" element to the piece. A great way to portray the Industrial Revolution.
That whistling in the middle and on the end, is so comforting that it's like saying everything will be alright, don't worry you will overcome all your problems and fears!
It's supposed to be sad because it's representing the minute of silence, when all the chaos of life and work stops and we remember the young men who died by the thousands in the wars...
I'm an expat living in the US. I caught this on a 3 hour delay on NBC (The History channel), but still enjoyed the moment. I am reminded why Great Britain is Great Britain.
I know this represented the Industrial Revolution, but in reality it could easily represent the evolution of mankind as a whole. From the Big Bang all the way up to present day. Every era of life starts small and ends in pandemonium or chaos. Yet we still soldier on. We know something bigger and better is coming, and we keep marching to the beat of our own drums. Chaos reigns again, but we manage to make it through. We survive. Always have, always will.
Sometimes a piece of music captures the mood and moment so spectacularly that no other piece could ever have been used. For four hours Britain delivered the best opening ceremony ever, and in that there was 17 minutes of musical perfection in this track. It invokes so much passion and inspiration for me - our past, our present, and our future; Our fears, our hopes, our losses, our victories... our history. Epic. Beautiful. Inspiring. Moving. Passionate. A moment in time.
An opening ceremony doesn't have to be expensive and spectacular, all it needs to be is meaningful. London started the industrial revolution, which leads to our everyday product, iphone, laptops, cars and many more. Thanks London, for hosting one epic olympic, and making the world a better place to live.
Social studies teacher showed our class the industrial revolution performance and I got teary eyed because of this music. I hid it pretty well but it’s one of the most beautiful melodies I’ve heard.
Underworld, Danny Boyle, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Olympics, Industrial Revolution, England, a musical crow of 3000 people, the British lords. This was a mindblowing blend of culture. Respect from the Dutch Empire :)
The only thing that gets to me more than 7:51 when they stop to remember the lives lost in the war, is 9:04 when everyone knows they can't dwell on it forever and things must move on. The whole thing is still incredible.
I remember watching this live on tv and thinking "holy shit, Underworld, Danny Boyle, London 2012 have fucking nailed it!", this was whilst the goosebumps and emotion was soaring through my body. This music induces real emotion, it is outstanding - at least to me ;D
Right I'm 15, and yeah I was only 14 when this happened, but honestly this piece of music sends shivers through me. My little brother got the DVD for Christmas and I've watched it three times to hear this music, it's just so beautiful and inspirational. Seb Coe was right, the 2012 Olympics (not matter what way shape or form) will inspire a generation.
I was 12 in 2012 and remember the excitement for the Olympics so vividly, I went and watched the torch pass through my town and remember watching the ceremony on TV, it was just so magical and exiting, I wanted so bad to have been part of it too! Just gives me goosebumps and makes me emotional every time, absolutely marvelous!
I am not British, but I would really like to say that this music is really mindblowing, and hearing it during the opening ceremony it made me shiver, Congratulations to everybody involved in this magical night, Well done Brits, Regards from Greece!
The British have been a great inspiration to us, the whole world, all nations during these troubling times. Thank you. London 2012 has been the best Olympics yet.
If ever there was a composition to represent the whole of human endeavour, this would be it. We are the human race. And we are capable of things you couldn't possibly imagine.
During the London Olympics, I emigrated to Germany with just a suitcase due to the deep financial crisis of my country. This song resonated a lot within me that summer, and helped me during the hard moments of loneliness and despair. It contains so many emotions inside, that reflects and resembles perfectly what I felt and feel about the most important (and best) decision of my life. Everytime I hear 7:55 I want to cry, because it gets really deep inside me. And then at 9:07 I feel strong, unbreakable, able to do ANYTHING. Thank you so much, Underworld, you composed one of the songs of my life.
Are you kidding me? I wish I knew how it feels like to be proud of your country. You are really lucky to live in such a wonderfull country, I´ve dreamed of living there my entire life.
Just before the opening ceremony, I was worrying what they would do for it. We're pretty football crazy over here, and I thought we would have done something like that, but to start it off with the Industrial revolution, wow, that surprised me. What gave me that idea was the ending of Beijing's Olympics where they had David Beckham come out on a red bus and kick a ball...
This is the soundtrack to humanity itself, people all working together to create such an awesome symbol as the Olympic rings. I live in Sheffield which is known as the Steel city for the part it played in the Industrial revolution and this is truly a masterpiece. Thank you so much for uploading and giving us all the chance to enjoy it again and again. This didn't just make me proud to be British it made me proud to be a part of the human race.
9:06....when the drums kick-in......what an inspired music choice for the Olympic opening ceremony. When I first watched it live, I thought it was weird and too eccentric and doubted the watching non-British audience would get it.......the comments below make me think they did appreciate and enjoy it.
You thought it was weird ?? If I was british I would have been in tears while watching this and feeling all proud of how amazing my country is, I mean, I was in tears and I am from Argentina (and you know Argentina really hates the UK, not me, of course) btw sorry for my english :(
nombredeusuarionombr Thank you for your kind comments.....it is a shame a barren piece of rock could upset so many Argentinians to the point of hating the British.....but hey-ho.....least you intelligent to see passed that!
I have been watching Olympic Ceremonies since Mexico in 1968 and the Industrial Revolution section of London 2012 was the most astonishing production I have ever seen. It was truly awe inspiring. Thank you London. Thank you Great Britain. You gave us a truly memorable Olympic Games from start to finish.
This is such a good song. ^_^ I felt so patriotic watching the Opening Ceremony thinking to myself, this is being broadcasted across the WHOLE World and people from every country will be watching this truly spectacular display.
Let's see another nation try to display what we Britain displayed last week. The unforgettable drumming, phenomenal voices and the extravagant technology. It made me so proud to be a Briton. And I'm sure many others, share the same thoughts and feelings...
@@mrridley8967 still am. It's my go to cardio music. Listen to it almost everyday. The part at 16:07 is where I usually end my cardio, it feels so rewarding.
I was expecting for the history of the british empire, but what i saw was all the legacy of the uk, i felt quite familiar to the show despite i'm not british, this was a fair tribute to brunel, the music and the real contributions tath uk has given to the humanity, not ancient theories nor laws, but fresh-modern milestones. It was so simple and yet so full of meaning and spirit, thanks London 2012!
I can’t express how mesmerising it was seeing and hearing this in the stadium. Then to find it out the composer had a challenge with her hearing, which is something I also have, simply blew my mind 🙏🏾. Thank you Dame Evelyn
Real talk, this opening ceremony made me wish I were British. One hell of a history and culture on that teeny island. Loved this part of the opening ceremony.
The BBC repeated the opening ceremony on TV during the pandemic lockdown (to cheer everybody up!) and they also showed a behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of it. One thing led to another and I found this track online. Now I'm hooked!
This is not only for the current residents of the BRITISH ISLES, its also for its Diaspora who have spread out in the last 600 years over the globe. Britain isn't just a small Island, we are everywhere.
I must of listened to this track for damn near three and a quarter hours last night on repeat non stop.....listening to it again now. Am I sick of it?? HELL NO!!!!!!
Brilliant music, fitted the Pandemonium scene perfectly. I re-watched it after watching the Rio Olympics opening ceremony. Makes you really feel so proud to be British!
i have just been reading the comments from last year, the tears started again when i remember just how well it all went , how i and a lot felt at the time. 2012 was the best time to be a Brit, it will take some beating , thanks for a GREAT summer that i will never forget
I'm an American and this was by far one of the best openings I have seen. It presented historical events that molded the country to what it is now. Great job London!
This video should have tens, if not hundreds, of millions of views. It bothers me that it has fewer than a million after eight years. Greatest song from greatest opening ceremony ever.
I agree. I'm American, and in line with the fact that our country evolved so nearly in step with Great Britain (on the East Coast anyway), I too felt more than a twinge of awe and pride. Our Industrial Revolutions were so externally similar, one could think this was an American presentation if they didn't know better. Kudos to both nations!
What an absolutely fantastic piece of music. I loved it as soon as I heard it during the opening ceremony. Watching the Industrial Revolution/Pandemonium sequence filled me with awe. Seeing the smokestacks rise up from the ground and the portrayal of the workers and other people from that time, along with the fantastic music, actually made me sit back and think of my ancestors and what they went through during that period. I got goose bumps watching it then, and I got them listening to it now.
As I said before: I read a comment on another video that went something along the lines of : " in the time were being green is the new religion of the new age, it was refreshing to see the industry being celebrated instead of being demonized." I agree.The Industrial Revolution segment was by far the strongest part of the ceremony.The music,chanting, whistling and the drumming...I got goosebumps and tears. When the rings started to come together...words can't describe how beautiful that was.
I actually felt the same way watching it. It was terrifyingly breathtaking and spectacular in that you really see what we've come to as a human race. The Industrial Revolution gave birth to the powerhouse corporations we have now, in the meantime destroying the lives of poor people through disease, losing limbs/dying in factories, and other terrible things. Not to say that poor people have always lived mellowly, but this ushered in a new era of class division and making the rich richer.
This music has been in my head constantly for two months and I still love it: As a performer in this section of the ceremony (1 of 45 in 'Beatles' from the Sgt Pepper album cover - we were one of the groups representing social & cultural change who paraded around the edge of the 'industrial revolution'). Although I am hugely familiar with it from rehearsals, it still makes my spine tingle. It was incredibly exciting to be standing about 15 metres from those rings as they burst into light.
The rings forging! The whistle in the background, the drums and the piano. I've seen a lot of live shows, and this one, from my television I got goosebumps like never before. Not just the music, the idea of forging those rings, made of man's labor, everything of this part of the ceremony was unique! Unfortunately the rest of the ceremony, doesn't reach this level of awesomeness :P Truly beautiful, greeting from Portugal :)
Wish i could have felt the bass around the stadium!!! Made me proud to be British even more when this came on including the whole ceremony. This music did it for me though 👍
Of course my Luck: The London Opening Ceremony was the first one I ever saw. I was SO AMAZED and wanted to see more! But the others could never reach the level of power, fun, emotion and odd chaotic perfection of a straight up mass theater.
This music is more amazing than Hans Zimmers work, and that's coming from a HUGE Hans Zimmer fan. I love music like this, and this music made me stunned at my TV, tears in eyes, amazed.
I was one of the 1000 drummers used in this section. I'm so proud of what we achieved and so happy that the feedback has been positive. Have a great games.
Because of all of you I have listened to this piece on repeat all day today.
Another one of the drummers here! So glad everyone likes our track, we really enjoyed every minute of drumming, practicing and being a part of this.
The thing that really sold this for me, what really got me was: China was so regimented and precise, and London was to utterly chaotic and human. So very human. That's what I always remember.
i remember reading an australian review and they said “this is a country of royals and aristocrats, but boyle’s show rejoiced in the commoner" and i think that’s a really apt description
@Chris Taberner China will be there also in a thousand years. Thank you
@@Tsja6933 they didn't want to out do China. This was personal.
China was interesting and amazing to look at, mainly cause I enjoy Asian History and Traditions but London had a lot of VERY recent things to show, lots of smart, famous, talented, and funny people that we all know and love.
It's like these Ceremonies are a representation of the Countries Character. China appears strict, traditional, and proud and UK appears wild and just fucking delightful.
Can't listen to this beautiful music without a tear in the eyes.
The industrial revolution section is one of the best things that has ever been telecast on television!
Couldn't agree more!
It's called Pandemonium
I rememeber watching it on TV live with my mouth open - The rings at the end!!!! Just incredible. I really wish I could have been there to see it in the stadium.
I'm not even British and I feel the same way! The industrial revolution really demonstrated to all of humankind that its potential for greatness could be limitless.
Was best thing I’ve ever seen on tv
If ever there was a theme song for human achievement in the past 250,000 years, this would nail it. It should be used as opening music for a documentary on humans
When our time came. We did it right.
We nailed it
No one will ever top this. Great music, no kids miming, no jingoism and national parades and no showing off. Just the history of a nation seen through the ordinary people that shaped it. Fantastic.
Couldn't have put it better myself, good sir 👍🏼🙌🏼😺
+vanillaorchid. Good point about no miming. Who can ever forget the Chinese girl miming during the Beijing Opening Ceremony. Truly embarrassing, but perhaps not quite as embarrassing as the rows of empty seats at the events. You didn't see any of that in London!
76 juno why do you have to bash another country to uplift your own. Both Olympics were wonderful. Just leave it at that
Nothing can ever top this ceremony
China showed highly-regimented drones obeying the orders of authority to create an atmosphere of power. We showed the poor masses of Britain emerging from the countryside to build an industrial superpower with their own hands that shaped the modern world. Everyone, from lord to labourer, forging greatness never before seen.
Their display was impressive, but it had no heart. It was trying to send a message of what China will be. We told a story, of what we have already done, of what we truly are. We don't need to prove ourselves because our achievements speak for themselves, and so we merely celebrate them, secure in our place of greatness.
I don't know which is objectively better, but I know which has meaning to me. This just feels more authentic.
If you don't get any goosebumps while listening to this you should check If you're not dead
I totally agree! If you watch it with the visuals as well it is stunning!
Was one of the 1000 Pandemonium drummers - I cannot adequately express the love and respect each and every one of us feel for Rick Smith - he was inspirational!
I will remember 2012 the rest of my life as the year it was cool to be British. We did a good job with the olympics and the paralympics. Thanks to all that made it what it was, they did a great job. they diden't just isprie the young they insprired all us Brits, THANK YOU for the best summer of my life.
I wasn't even british, im from far away Estonia, I felt the magic, so very fucking strongly. The magic will never leave me. London, YOU NAILED IT
I was in the cast of the Industrial Revolution Pandemonium section and this epic anthem will stay with me forever. Whenever I hear it it brings tears of pride to my eyes that we as a band of amateur volunteers pulled this off live in front of a worldwide TV audience of about 1 billion as well as the 80,000+ in the stadium. Total respect to Karl & Rick from Underworld, Danny Boyle, Toby Sedgwick, all the creative & production teams, dance captains, the insane drummers and the rest of the cast.
Best part of the London Olympics. This piece of music represents so much, industrialisation, progress, technology, the dream of better times ahead and the determination to make it real. The UK lead the world into becoming a modern industrial civilisation.
As one of the volunteer drummers in this sequence I was immensely proud to have taken part - for me it was not about being british, but about being part of the international spirit of the olympics with a diverse group of people from around the country, and around the world.
Be proud of taking part of this! And never forget what you took part in.
On the sofa with the sound up full blast at home watching this past midnight was just insane in 2012 i will never ever forget this in my life!!!!! Im proud to be 🇬🇧 too!
And I, along with all of your other neighbors across the pond, are just as proud to essentially be birthed from such a proud nation as Britain and built up by the strength and skill of Irish immigrants. The United States and the United Kingdom are united together!
I will never forget the moment I watched the london opening ceremony staying up the whole night. It was so magnificent and marvelous. When I was watching the industrial revolution scene with this music, I almost cried because it was such a breath-taking and great history. It gave me a lot of chill and goosebumps. It was beyond description. I can't put my feeling into words perfectly. Thank you London. Thank you Great Britain. Thank you Underworld.
I initially switched on TV fully expecting to watch and cringe as we produced somthing bland and embarrassing. Then this played and the volunteers went through their moves in the arena. I grew several inches that day and was proud to be British. It was brilliant and as a piece of inspirational music sits at the top of my play list alongside Land of Hope and Glory and Jerusalem.
You "grew several inches"... ;)
+Sam Ashton Pleeeeease!
+Brian Tyler Felt the same. I'm not patriotic, but was proud of the way we held those games more than how many medals we won
+jo jo I am patriotic Jo but regardless this was an inspired piece of music. What a great way of showing the world how much this little county has influenced it. It crosses so many boundaries.
Still listening to it! Kin marvelous
Many years later still mesmerising, captivating, heartbreaking, exhilarating and spiritually rendering. Portrayed history and humanity at its most vulnerable and powerful, full of expectation, but with no certain outcome, like sport itself. As a Londoner living just a mile from the stadium at the time (and luckily with the fortune to attend a couple days events), I could relate to lots of the story and symbolism in this piece. I pray this important and iconic production and its anthem live on for decades, as a reminder (especially given incredibly dark times, worldwide, barely a decade later), of the unshakeable collective power of the people. Past, present and future. Heartfelt thank you and well done to all the creators and participants involved. Blessings.
Ignore him, ignorant comments like that shouldn't be tolerated with this song and this event about the world coming together, I'm british and I was deeply moved with this display and music and made me so proud of my country but more proud that other countries like America loved it too. People seem to forget this isn't just about England, it's our world being united under one banner.
BEST music piece in the BEST scene from the BEST Olympic opening ceremony in history!
And this, this is why i shake my head and laugh at people who call music useless.
I always cannot just get enough of how beautiful and perfect the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony, especially this part. And I am not even British. Greetingsfrom the Philppines 🇵🇭 It gives me goosebumps everytime, and will never get tired of it.
I heard one of the main organisers of the opening ceremony on the radio recently. He said it took over a year for Underworld to write and produce this epic masterpiece.
Has any public event in Britain, in living memory, brought us all together like this? I've been living in France for the last twenty years. A couple of days ago I read Jonathan Coe's Brexit novel Middle England, in which one of the characters is watching the ceremony on TV. This led me to track it down on RUclips and I swear to God, for the rest of the day I was no good to man nor beast. The tears were flowing! Thank you Danny Boyle, Underworld, and all the thousands who took part. You gave us something so beautiful.
Possibly one of the greatest songs of all time.
To one greatest nights of Olympic opening ceremony
4 years later and I still have yet to find anything more amazing than this piece of music!
I'm not even British and I was proud of Britain watching this segment in awe. It makes you realize how important ordinary people were in shaping the future.
Just had an eargasm.
My fav part of this is the chanting and shouting from the drummers. Just adds such a large-scale "human" element to the piece. A great way to portray the Industrial Revolution.
That whistling in the middle and on the end, is so comforting that it's like saying everything will be alright, don't worry you will overcome all your problems and fears!
Well I mean you're meant to remembering the war dead, but ho hum aha
For me it’s quite ominous, but melodramatic ominous
It's supposed to be sad because it's representing the minute of silence, when all the chaos of life and work stops and we remember the young men who died by the thousands in the wars...
I'm an expat living in the US. I caught this on a 3 hour delay on NBC (The History channel), but still enjoyed the moment.
I am reminded why Great Britain is Great Britain.
the opening ceremony still brings a tear to my eye
Same here just amazing
When your countries history fits a beat like this anything is possible.
I know this represented the Industrial Revolution, but in reality it could easily represent the evolution of mankind as a whole. From the Big Bang all the way up to present day. Every era of life starts small and ends in pandemonium or chaos. Yet we still soldier on. We know something bigger and better is coming, and we keep marching to the beat of our own drums. Chaos reigns again, but we manage to make it through. We survive. Always have, always will.
the fact that it was composed for the olympics is greater than any award! but yeah what a masterpiece. it blew me away when I first heard it!
Well I'm not British, but at I'm proud to be a human.
I can remember every bit of that 20 minutes of the opening
Sometimes a piece of music captures the mood and moment so spectacularly that no other piece could ever have been used. For four hours Britain delivered the best opening ceremony ever, and in that there was 17 minutes of musical perfection in this track. It invokes so much passion and inspiration for me - our past, our present, and our future; Our fears, our hopes, our losses, our victories... our history. Epic. Beautiful. Inspiring. Moving. Passionate. A moment in time.
An opening ceremony doesn't have to be expensive and spectacular, all it needs to be is meaningful. London started the industrial revolution, which leads to our everyday product, iphone, laptops, cars and many more. Thanks London, for hosting one epic olympic, and making the world a better place to live.
Social studies teacher showed our class the industrial revolution performance and I got teary eyed because of this music. I hid it pretty well but it’s one of the most beautiful melodies I’ve heard.
Nothing wrong with crying. I used to cry quite often in film showings at school haha.
Thumbs up if you're British and these Olympics made you proud to be so
I'm not British but it was their moment in the sun & with music like. This they took it and shone. Fair play to them. Amazing track
Underworld, Danny Boyle, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Olympics, Industrial Revolution, England, a musical crow of 3000 people, the British lords. This was a mindblowing blend of culture. Respect from the Dutch Empire :)
The only thing that gets to me more than 7:51 when they stop to remember the lives lost in the war, is 9:04 when everyone knows they can't dwell on it forever and things must move on. The whole thing is still incredible.
I remember watching this live on tv and thinking "holy shit, Underworld, Danny Boyle, London 2012 have fucking nailed it!", this was whilst the goosebumps and emotion was soaring through my body. This music induces real emotion, it is outstanding - at least to me ;D
Right I'm 15, and yeah I was only 14 when this happened, but honestly this piece of music sends shivers through me. My little brother got the DVD for Christmas and I've watched it three times to hear this music, it's just so beautiful and inspirational. Seb Coe was right, the 2012 Olympics (not matter what way shape or form) will inspire a generation.
2012.i am 26.i like it very much.best music in the world.
I was 12 in 2012 and remember the excitement for the Olympics so vividly, I went and watched the torch pass through my town and remember watching the ceremony on TV, it was just so magical and exiting, I wanted so bad to have been part of it too! Just gives me goosebumps and makes me emotional every time, absolutely marvelous!
Was 16 and it was best opening ceremony of all time was so emotional watching that first 20 minutes was just amazing
I am not British, but I would really like to say that this music is really mindblowing, and hearing it during the opening ceremony it made me shiver, Congratulations to everybody involved in this magical night, Well done Brits, Regards from Greece!
The British have been a great inspiration to us, the whole world, all nations during these troubling times. Thank you. London 2012 has been the best Olympics yet.
If ever there was a composition to represent the whole of human endeavour, this would be it. We are the human race. And we are capable of things you couldn't possibly imagine.
During the London Olympics, I emigrated to Germany with just a suitcase due to the deep financial crisis of my country. This song resonated a lot within me that summer, and helped me during the hard moments of loneliness and despair. It contains so many emotions inside, that reflects and resembles perfectly what I felt and feel about the most important (and best) decision of my life. Everytime I hear 7:55 I want to cry, because it gets really deep inside me. And then at 9:07 I feel strong, unbreakable, able to do ANYTHING. Thank you so much, Underworld, you composed one of the songs of my life.
wow
The best Olympics ever. The music alone was spectacular.
Are you kidding me? I wish I knew how it feels like to be proud of your country. You are really lucky to live in such a wonderfull country, I´ve dreamed of living there my entire life.
Just before the opening ceremony, I was worrying what they would do for it. We're pretty football crazy over here, and I thought we would have done something like that, but to start it off with the Industrial revolution, wow, that surprised me. What gave me that idea was the ending of Beijing's Olympics where they had David Beckham come out on a red bus and kick a ball...
This song makes me feel powerful.
This is the soundtrack to humanity itself, people all working together to create such an awesome symbol as the Olympic rings. I live in Sheffield which is known as the Steel city for the part it played in the Industrial revolution and this is truly a masterpiece. Thank you so much for uploading and giving us all the chance to enjoy it again and again. This didn't just make me proud to be British it made me proud to be a part of the human race.
8:00- 9:00 I can live in this part :) Thank you Great Britain. I'm 26 but I can't explain I was so excited and happy that day ! greetings from México.
9:06....when the drums kick-in......what an inspired music choice for the Olympic opening ceremony. When I first watched it live, I thought it was weird and too eccentric and doubted the watching non-British audience would get it.......the comments below make me think they did appreciate and enjoy it.
You thought it was weird ?? If I was british I would have been in tears while watching this and feeling all proud of how amazing my country is, I mean, I was in tears and I am from Argentina (and you know Argentina really hates the UK, not me, of course) btw sorry for my english :(
nombredeusuarionombr Thank you for your kind comments.....it is a shame a barren piece of rock could upset so many Argentinians to the point of hating the British.....but hey-ho.....least you intelligent to see passed that!
inyourgenes :)
I have been watching Olympic Ceremonies since Mexico in 1968 and the Industrial Revolution section of London 2012 was the most astonishing production I have ever seen. It was truly awe inspiring. Thank you London. Thank you Great Britain. You gave us a truly memorable Olympic Games from start to finish.
listening this with a bass booster, THE BAAAAAASSSSSSSS!!!!!!
This is such a good song. ^_^ I felt so patriotic watching the Opening Ceremony thinking to myself, this is being broadcasted across the WHOLE World and people from every country will be watching this truly spectacular display.
Peter Goodman opening ceremony for Brazil 2016 was the best I have seen. Many of the references in London 2012 would have evaded most of the world.
Champions aren't born. They're made. I love listening to this over and over.
Let's see another nation try to display what we Britain displayed last week. The unforgettable drumming, phenomenal voices and the extravagant technology. It made me so proud to be a Briton. And I'm sure many others, share the same thoughts and feelings...
Even after 2 years, I spend hours listening to this song, thank you Evelyn
+Aiman Ghazi Nearly 4 years, still I come back to this masterpiece.
Aiman Ghazi you still listening?
@@mrridley8967 still am. It's my go to cardio music. Listen to it almost everyday. The part at 16:07 is where I usually end my cardio, it feels so rewarding.
I was expecting for the history of the british empire, but what i saw was all the legacy of the uk, i felt quite familiar to the show despite i'm not british, this was a fair tribute to brunel, the music and the real contributions tath uk has given to the humanity, not ancient theories nor laws, but fresh-modern milestones. It was so simple and yet so full of meaning and spirit, thanks London 2012!
I can’t express how mesmerising it was seeing and hearing this in the stadium. Then to find it out the composer had a challenge with her hearing, which is something I also have, simply blew my mind 🙏🏾. Thank you Dame Evelyn
Yes Dame Evelyn is famous here in the UK for being a leading percussionist for decades and yes she's deaf
Real talk, this opening ceremony made me wish I were British. One hell of a history and culture on that teeny island. Loved this part of the opening ceremony.
The BBC repeated the opening ceremony on TV during the pandemic lockdown (to cheer everybody up!) and they also showed a behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of it. One thing led to another and I found this track online. Now I'm hooked!
That whistling is the sound of peace, just think, everybody on earth will whistle that song some day in unison...
I just saw the Opening of the 2012 Olympics and I'm so glad I did because this track is especially awesome. I wish I could have gone.
im so happy this exists
You just want this to go on forever
This is not only for the current residents of the BRITISH ISLES, its also for its Diaspora who have spread out in the last 600 years over the globe. Britain isn't just a small Island, we are everywhere.
so glad i found this! its haunted me ever since i first heard it
Just listening to it brings so many memories so nostalgic feeling really was best summer ever 2012
Can this be our National Anthem from now on?
+Robert Top think you took me a little bit too literally mate! : )
+Robert Top have you heard most national anthems? Most are over twenty minutes with some Europeans having four hour ones!
YEEEESSSS
Robski T not only is it too long
IT DOESN'T HAVE FREAKING LYRICS
Spanish national anthem doesn't have lyrics
The best Olympic opening ceremony on earth!! Thought Beijing was good, but London nailed it hands down! PROUD TO BE BRITISH
I don't think there will ever be a better Olympic opening ceremony then this on was! I can not see how there possibly could!
I must of listened to this track for damn near three and a quarter hours last night on repeat non stop.....listening to it again now. Am I sick of it?? HELL NO!!!!!!
Brilliant music, fitted the Pandemonium scene perfectly. I re-watched it after watching the Rio Olympics opening ceremony. Makes you really feel so proud to be British!
i have just been reading the comments from last year, the tears started again when i remember just how well it all went , how i and a lot felt at the time. 2012 was the best time to be a Brit, it will take some beating , thanks for a GREAT summer that i will never forget
Danny Boyles master stroke was getting Underworld on board for this music score.
Its normal to cry to this? I always hear this and i feel such amazing feeling ...
Congratulations from Spain for this espectacular song!!! The best modern olympics games of the history.
I'm an American and this was by far one of the best openings I have seen. It presented historical events that molded the country to what it is now. Great job London!
This video should have tens, if not hundreds, of millions of views. It bothers me that it has fewer than a million after eight years. Greatest song from greatest opening ceremony ever.
I agree. I'm American, and in line with the fact that our country evolved so nearly in step with Great Britain (on the East Coast anyway), I too felt more than a twinge of awe and pride. Our Industrial Revolutions were so externally similar, one could think this was an American presentation if they didn't know better. Kudos to both nations!
What an absolutely fantastic piece of music. I loved it as soon as I heard it during the opening ceremony.
Watching the Industrial Revolution/Pandemonium sequence filled me with awe. Seeing the smokestacks rise up from the ground and the portrayal of the workers and other people from that time, along with the fantastic music, actually made me sit back and think of my ancestors and what they went through during that period.
I got goose bumps watching it then, and I got them listening to it now.
As I said before:
I read a comment on another video that went something along the lines of :
" in the time were being green is the new religion of the new age, it was refreshing to see the industry being celebrated instead of being demonized."
I agree.The Industrial Revolution segment was by far the strongest part of the ceremony.The music,chanting, whistling and the drumming...I got goosebumps and tears. When the rings started to come together...words can't describe how beautiful that was.
Only the Brits could have come up with this. It's brilliant.
The right music is Power..... Power lives in us all! Help one another people.
I will never in my life forget this olympics.
Same will ever forget it best summer ever best year
I actually felt the same way watching it. It was terrifyingly breathtaking and spectacular in that you really see what we've come to as a human race. The Industrial Revolution gave birth to the powerhouse corporations we have now, in the meantime destroying the lives of poor people through disease, losing limbs/dying in factories, and other terrible things. Not to say that poor people have always lived mellowly, but this ushered in a new era of class division and making the rich richer.
This music has been in my head constantly for two months and I still love it: As a performer in this section of the ceremony (1 of 45 in 'Beatles' from the Sgt Pepper album cover - we were one of the groups representing social & cultural change who paraded around the edge of the 'industrial revolution'). Although I am hugely familiar with it from rehearsals, it still makes my spine tingle. It was incredibly exciting to be standing about 15 metres from those rings as they burst into light.
Such a natural choice to have Underworld behind the music for this. Goose pimples on top of goose pimples in the final section.
The rings forging! The whistle in the background, the drums and the piano. I've seen a lot of live shows, and this one, from my television I got goosebumps like never before. Not just the music, the idea of forging those rings, made of man's labor, everything of this part of the ceremony was unique!
Unfortunately the rest of the ceremony, doesn't reach this level of awesomeness :P
Truly beautiful, greeting from Portugal :)
To all the drummers, you were absolutely awesome and made the ceremony, proud to be British...........
Wish i could have felt the bass around the stadium!!! Made me proud to be British even more when this came on including the whole ceremony. This music did it for me though 👍
This whole segment of the opening ceremony made me proud to be human.
Of course my Luck: The London Opening Ceremony was the first one I ever saw. I was SO AMAZED and wanted to see more! But the others could never reach the level of power, fun, emotion and odd chaotic perfection of a straight up mass theater.
This music is more amazing than Hans Zimmers work, and that's coming from a HUGE Hans Zimmer fan. I love music like this, and this music made me stunned at my TV, tears in eyes, amazed.