Blend American jazz, Brazilian samba and Chinese traditional sounds and what do you have? A song played at the Olympics in Beijing.
Keith Williams (left) and Phil Morrison
“Beijing Olympics Hao Yuing (Good Luck),” written by Baha'is Phil Morrison and Keith Williams, was one of 30 songs selected by Olympic organizers to communicate to visitors the spirit of the 2008 Games.
The lyrics also convey some of the principles of the Baha'i Faith: “Just one human family,” “The earth will celebrate -- For World Unity,” “Promoting peace and friendship for all -- The world will come together -- we'll open up the gate.”
The jazzy song's first strains were penned by Mr. Morrison, bassist and composer, back when China was chosen to host the Olympics.
The country and its music are dear to Mr. Morrison and Mr. Williams, known professionally as the Phil Morrison Trio featuring Keith Williams, who have "gigged" there three times for several months at a stretch since 1999.
When the jazz veterans, who live in Brunswick, Ga., learned in March of a competition to select the Games' official songs, pianist/vocalist/arranger Mr. Williams added a section, the piece was re-recorded and away it went.
In April, the duo got a congratulatory phone call from Beijing. Their song had been chosen from approximately 3,000 entries and was, in fact, the only winner written by American-born artists.
Unlike most of the winning songs, which tend to be anthems, “Beijing Olympics Hao Yuing” has a "party celebration" flavor, Mr. Williams said. "The lyrics are very positive. The Olympics are China's gift to the world and the lyrics say, ‘Come join us in the human family.’"
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Comments
WOW!
Dear Morrison and Williams,
Dear Morrison and Williams, Where every the words of Bahaullah go's without any dought, it will shine. My sons Jonathan Ganesh and Yanni Ganesh was talking lots about your song but now i am going to hear it and i am sure the very word and sound must have touch the heart and soul of the Beijing Olympic Committe members and that in turn awaken the world today. It was suprice to see that one of your word in the lyric was very close to the song i wrote during Gulf War in Bahrain that start like this "Come and Join us to love mankind" this song not release yet but sang in small function within Bahai friends and some time in the school in Dubai by the Bahai youths. Good Luck and look forward to many more to come from you and your team.
Dear Morrison and Williams
Dear Morrison and Williams, you're two great people, Cheers!
I have such fond memories of
I have such fond memories of my early days as a new Baha'i in Atlanta attending the wonderful Keith and Keith Yard Parties which always featured a unifying and diverse crowd and musical performances! The celebration has grown ;) ! Many more blessings are sure to come! Steve
His songs are really worthy
His songs are really worthy of awards. very friendly and can be called the anthem of the union of many nations. It is very conducive to the provisions of international relations. These words "Promoting peace and friendship for all; The world will come together; we'll open up the gate." This truth really warms our hearts.
Congratulations
Congratulation to Baha for winning the Olympics. I had watch it during the announcement and He is really deserving to be won. Thanks for the post.
Well done. It is a very
Well done. It is a very beautiful song, that goes straight to my soul.
unity&love
What delightful news about
Yes!!!! I'm in Nanjing and
Yes!!!! I'm in Nanjing and the Olympics are very important milestone to world unity. I look upon them as a ring ceremony uniting China and the rest of the world. PS are you the Fletcher Bennett I knew at UBC? It's Gary here in China. It's a wonderful time in a great country.
Looking for Fletcher Bennett
hi
made some good points there. I made a research to the subject and discovered most people today will agree with your blog.
TO CONVEY THE PEACE MESSAGE
Hello! I agree. Beautiful &
Hello! I agree. Beautiful & inspiring work for World Unity, this is what the world needs right now. Keep it up! Thanks
From Brunswick to Beijing!
Wounderful Job
Olympics
Very nice song, very nice olympics. What could you ask more?
Congratulations...
What a wonderful honor...I followed this during the olympics and it must have been so exciting.
Congrats...
What a tremendous event this must have been...
I really appreciate this
I really appreciate this composition as it has a meaning and a very valid point to make - World Unity, we have seen so much of issues going on between countries and religions, we should all work towards World Unity..
You Should Be Very Proud
What an amazing accomplishment, and our only local winner. The lyrics are flawless, and I hope that something similar will be chosen for the Olympics in Vancouver next year. Congratulations on this exciting accomplishment.
Congrats
Way to go, what a great accomplishment. You have made us very proud, and I hope you will have a chance to include some music for the next Olympics in 2010 in Vancouver. Congrats!
Congratulations
If my song was selected to play for Olympics that would be my honor to be the part of the Olympics. Congratulations on your success.
Beijing Olympic
Where every the words of Bahaullah go's without any dought, it will shine. My sons Jonathan Ganesh and Yanni Ganesh was talking lots about your song but now i am going to hear it and i am sure the very word and sound must have touch the heart and soul of the Beijing Olympic Committe members
I actually didn't realize
I actually didn't realize that was a Bahai song until now.
Congratulations
I followed this during the olympics and it must have been so amazing
this seems to be reallly
this seems to be reallly very nice.
interesting
This is inspiring music and a great story thank you.
phil morison
hey! that song is up on youtube its pretty motivational
Unity and peaceful world is
Unity and peaceful world is the best thing we can give to the next generation.
Olympics
Congratulations to a wonderful collaboration. I have attended the Keith and Keith Yard Parties featuring a unifying and diverse crowd and musical performances. Old days ;) ! More happiness is sure to come!
thanks for your talent
I really appreciate this composition as it has a meaning and a very valid point to make - World Unity, we have seen so much of issues going on between countries and religions, we should all work towards World Unity.. These are words of russian girl who know what she says.
This is inspiring music and
This is inspiring music and a great story thank you.
Great!
hard work
What a way to compliment the hard work of the Chinese people who took a lot of time to make the Olympics a success and incomparable to others. This was one of the best Olympic Games the world has ever seen starting from the beautiful stadiums like the Birds nest, to the lighting and most importantly the opening song, which advocated for peace through out the world. Since the Olympics are such a landmark, I feel the organizers of the event made the right decision to choose “Beijing Olympics Hao Yuing meaning Good Luck by Keith Williams and Phil Morrison from Bahai. This song infused different cultures that made it a masterpiece.
I really appreciate this
I really appreciate this composition as it has a meaning and a very valid point to make - World Unity, we have seen so much of issues going on between countries and religions, we should all work towards World Unity.. These are words of russian girl who know what she says.
Great opening song and great
Great opening song and great show....Beijing was perfect!
I really appreciate this
I really appreciate this composition as it has a meaning and a very valid point to make - World Unity, we have seen so much of issues going on between countries and religions, we should all work towards World Unity.. These are words of russian girl who know what she says.
Thanks for sharing
It was surprise to see that one of your word in the lyric was very close to the song i wrote during Gulf War in Bahrain that start like this.Thanks for sharing your wonderful article. Keep up the good work.
Hi! Beautiful & inspiring
Hi! Beautiful & inspiring work for World Unity, this is what the world needs right now. Keep it up! Thanks
Hi! I agree. Unity and
Hi! I agree. Unity and peaceful world is the best thing we can give to the next generation. Thanks
What a way to compliment the
What a way to compliment the hard work of the Chinese people who took a lot of time to make the Olympics a success and incomparable to others. This was one of the best Olympic Games the world has ever seen starting from the beautiful stadiums like the Birds nest, to the lighting and most importantly the opening song, which advocated for peace through out the world. Since the Olympics are such a landmark, I feel the organizers of the event made the right decision to choose “Beijing Olympics Hao Yuing meaning Good Luck by Keith Williams and Phil Morrison from Bahai. This song infused different cultures that made it a masterpiece.
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Thank you for another
Thank you for another essential article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a complete way of writing? I have a presentation incoming week, and I am on the lookout for such information.
This is such a great
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It is the old what goes around comes around routine.
I like this song!
What delightful news about China's Olympic choice of Music...one song inspired by two souls from among 3,000 entries AND "The only winner written by American-born artists". I like this song, all music and lyrics are wonderful.
Nice song!
Great opening song and great show....Beijing was perfect!
Nice! Now I know what to do,
Nice! Now I know what to do, thank you! And as this information is educational so this site has been added to my RSS feed for later browsing.
That's awesome, such a
That's awesome, such a perfect show, keep up the nice postings.
great show, great choice
great show, great choice location..couldn't have been better!
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