Chariots of Fire (Sdtk) by Vangelis

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my Arrows of Desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of Fire! -William Blake

My Challenge

When I was a young lad I dreamed of being an Olympic athlete. I tried swimming, track, cycling, gymnastics-but I was never quite good enough. Cursed to be a legend in my own mind.

But I have always loved to run. I never had to be the best to inhale the morning spring air and pine-scented trails. The very act of running was my medal of gold, and my Vangelis CD was my glory.

Chariots of Fire-The CD

Titles: Rapid heart-beat synthesizer rhythm is descended upon by that legendary piano melody that was a top 40 hit. An endorphin rush, a natural high is what I always feel as the sounds from this track circulate through my body and mind.

I see all over again the opening scene of the film that was scored by the CD's music. Runners in lilly whites gliding in slow motion on the sand and serf.

Five Circles: A lone whale-song synthesized melody joined by a space-age harpsichord. Both are fanned and caressed by counter-point futuristic harmony. Weightless floating is what I feel when I close my eyes and open my ears.

Abraham's Theme: An electric keyboard textured by background electric strings, topped off by a crying electric babe. Longing, yearning for what might have been, what could have been as I listen in the present moment.

Eric's Theme: An electric choir canvas painted by a synthesizer paint brush. The tempo is slow, but sure-like a distance runner. A majestic feeling of pride and purpose washes over me, cleansing me of the drudgery of day-to-day living.

100 Meters: The Outer Limits meets the Twighlight Zone in this track. Pulsating phazor like sounds eventually morphing into a live choir-real human voices-what a concept! A religious experience anyone?

Jerusalem: An ocean surf with electric fire flies buzzing in my ears. Later joined by piano and electric-keyboard ships that arrive in Vangelis harbor. I never knew a full-body massage could sound so good. But wait! This musical track horse jumps over the fence and gallops into the field, then slows to a slow-motion trot with piano scales, ridden by a synthesizer jockey guiding it through this musical track.

Did I just die and go to heaven?

Chariots of Fire: Slow deliberate block piano chords with synthesizers running circles around them. Perfect denumoi music for the end of the film-and the end of a long hard day. Time to chill out and relax.
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This CD...

...was composed, produced and arranged by Vangelis. Jerusalem was arranged by Harry Rabinowitz. Performed by the Ambrosia Singers-Director John McCarthy.

This Polydor CD won the Academy Award for best original score in 1981.

Final Lap

If you're a legend in your own mind like me, and you're looking for an endorphin rush, run-don't walk...catch this CD if you can.