Serena Ryder debuts official Pan Am/Parapan anthem Together We Are One
English, French and Spanish versions are now available for download on iTunes
Turn up the volume, Canada. You are about to get your first listen to a song you'll likely be hearing everywhere this summer: the official anthem of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.
- LISTEN | Together We Are One
- Pan Am Toronto 2015
Featuring the signature raspy vocals of Canadian musician Serena Ryder, Together We Are One was unveiled Thursday by CBC.
"It's everyone's song," says Ryder who is best known for 2013's song of the summer Stompa. "It has truth to it."
With punchy, uplifting lyrics, backed by a chorus of voices, Together We Are One makes an impassioned call for strength through unity.
"Stand up. Together put your hands up," implores the song, written by Murray Daigle (who also produced), Bobby John and Jasmine Denham. "You're not alone. Together we are one."
Ryder says that music is a fundamental element of all sporting events.
"I think official songs for sporting events are key," she explains. "They are most important, in a sense, because it's what joins everyone together."
The basis of the song—which was also recorded in French, by Denham, and in Spanish, by former Canadian idol winner Eva Avila—was formed after a one-day workshop attended by 22 songwriters from across the country.
All three versions, English, French and Spanish, are now available for download on iTunes.
The CBC is the official broadcaster for the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games which take place from July 10 to 26 and Aug. 7 to 15, respectively.
Opening ceremonies kick off at the Rogers Centre on July 10.
The whole thing wraps with the Parapan Am closing ceremony on Aug. 15 at Nathan Phillips Square.
Together We Are One - Lyrics
By Murray Daigle, Bobby Bisciglia, Jasmine Denham
Verse 1:
We are one
We are beautiful
It's undeniable
We are all the same
Who's to say
What is right or wrong
Cause we all belong
United we stand
Pre-chorus:
We're strong when we walk together
Together we can sing much louder
Louder than any voice alone
With the strength of a thousand soldiers
We can climb any mountain higher
Higher, higher, higher
Chorus:
Stand up
Together put your hands up
You're not alone
Together we are one
Sing with me
To the rhythm of your heart beat
You're not alone
Together we are one
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Together we are one
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Together we are one
Verse 2:
It's true
There is no obstacle
We are unstoppable
No power can divide
One foot in front of the other
One hand in another
The miracle of one
Pre-chorus:
We're strong when we walk together
Together we can sing much louder
Louder than any voice alone
With the strength of a thousand soldiers
We can climb any mountain higher
Higher, higher, higher
Chorus:
Stand up
Together put your hands up
You're not alone
Together we are one
Sing with me
To the rhythm of your heart beat
You're not alone
Together we are one
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Together we are one
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Together we are one
Middle 8:
We are one
We are beautiful
We are strong
We are one
We are one
We are beautiful
We are strong
We are one
Chorus:
Stand up
Together put your hands up
You're not alone
Together we are one
Sing with me
To the rhythm of your heart beat
You're not alone
Together we are one
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Together we are one
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Together we are one