BURY ROCKERS ELBOW have been commissioned to write a one-off piece of music as the theme tune for the BBC’s coverage of the 2012 Olympics.
The six-minute track, which has not yet been recorded, will remain under wraps until shortly before the Games’ opening ceremony in London on 27 July.
Commenting on the announcement this morning, frontman Guy Garvey said that the 2008 Mercury Prize winners were honoured to participate in the project.
“We are knocked out to be involved and it’s been quite a challenge,” Garvey said.
In the past, the title music used by the BBC for major sporting events has gone on to achieve iconic status.
Luciano Pavarotti’s performance of “Nessun Dorma” soundtracked the broadcaster’s coverage of the 1990 World Cup in Italy while Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé’s “Barcelona” was chosen for the 1992 Olympics.
The importance of the task was not lost on the band when composing the piece for next year’s Games, Garvey said.
We have feelings of real responsibility as we will be the soundtrack to so many images of personal sacrifice and endeavour while the nation roots for and celebrates with Team GB.