Question about 'Barcelona' as the 1992 Olympics official song.

Initially 'Barcelona' was considered to be the official song of the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. However, the one that ended up being used was a song written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, called "Amigos Para Siempre (Friends For Life)" and which was performed by Jose Carreras and Sarah Brightman.

Was Freddie's condition the reason why 'Barcelona' was dropped from being the official 92' Olympics song? I think I heard once that Monserrat Caballe said that she wouldn't perform the song without Freddie, and she wouldn't be happy to see the song being performed by someone else.

Can someone clarify this for me.

Probably had something to do with Freddie dying in 1991, thus not being able to perform it in 1992 :-)

I suspect that it may have had something to do with Freddie dying, and it might have had something to do with him having AIDS unfortunately. It was the TRUE song of the games, even if it wasn't official-you can't say the word 'Barcelona' without that song coming to mind and I think that goes for non-Queen fans too.

Montse didn't want to perform it without Freddie, and the organizators of the games wanted to have a 'live' show which wasn't sad (recent death of Freddie). So Friends for life was a good choice, nice song indeed. But 'Barcelona' will be our song for ever more, be sure :)

I´m not quite sure - but I think I read somewhere that Montsy performed the song playback and Freddie´s part has been played in via videoscreen??? Although: can´t confirm it.
For sure is that there´s a special TV-edit on a 5"-CD of "Barcelona" (released 1992. This version was used by the BBC during their broadcasts.

Ye, they did, but wasn't so special you know. Freddie appeared all the time at the screen of the top on the stadium.

"I´m not quite sure - but I think I read somewhere that Montsy performed the song playback and Freddie´s part has been played in via videoscreen??? Although: can´t confirm it.
For sure is that there´s a special TV-edit on a 5"-CD of "Barcelona" (released 1992. This version was used by the BBC during their broadcasts."

You are right. They thought about puting freddie singing with Monserratt via videoscreen and they thought about inviting Prince( i know it is weird and hard to belive but it is absolutly true) to sing Freddie's part live with Caballé on Olimpics opening show, but they went to a third way, asking Loyd-Webber for a song!

Barcelona definitely was the main song of the Olympics. It was on TV every day, before each event. No other song was played that often.

Sorry guys,

Can you please clarify:

Was Barcelona played at the opening ceremony of the '92 Olympics?

I don't remember it.

Thanks,

The Voice.

It was not. Most TV stations would have used it if they had any sense though

I saw it the original video performed by Freddie & M.C. aired during the Olympics. I cant rememebr if it was during the opening ceremonies or not. ALso, I remember it being mentioned by Howard Stern the next day. He was surprised to see him on the screen, being Freddie had passed 8 months earlier. That doesn't mean it was the Official Song for those Olympic games but it should have been.

Yeah! I think it's really unfair that barcelona didnt become the '92 olympics' theme Bacelona deserves to be the official theme song of the olympics. not that stupid song!

It was included on the official USA Olympic Team CD.