Search by Title

A	B	C	D	E	F	G
H	I	J	K	L	M	N
O	P	Q	R	S	T	U
V	W	X	Y	Z	#

Browse Categories Random Songfact Random Category Add to Songfacts Take the Quiz SongFAQ Get the Newsletter E-Mail Us Message Boards Full Interviews Lyrical Pursuit Song Fallacies

Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

This is a piano piece written and performed by Greek composer Evangelos Papathanassiou. "Vangelis" was a lot easier to pronounce.

Prior to his work on "Chariots of Fire," Vangelis was best-known for his work with Aphrodite's Child (a band that also featured the "singing sofa" Demis Roussos) and the duo Jon and Vangelis ("Jon" was Jon Anderson of Yes). (thanks, Geoff - Morecambe, England)

On the original release, the name of the song was "Titles." Two months later, the name was changed to "Chariots of Fire - Titles" (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL)

This was written for the 1981 movie about 2 runners in the 1924 Olympics. It was used in a classic scene where they are running in slow motion. The scene has been spoofed many times, usually with this music used to complete the joke.

Not long after the soundtrack's release, Vangelis admitted his total inability to read or write music. He wrote this one literally playing by ear. (thanks, S.D. - Denver, CO)

Comments:

The title of both the song and the movie come from the lyrics of an old English hymn "Jeruselem"(covered in the 70's by Emerson, Lake and Palmer) -- "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."
- Mike, Rochester, NY

Roll the corny inspirational music!!!
- Dylan, Port Orange, FL

Robert, another movie like that is "A Knight's Tale"
- Brandon, Peoria, IL

If you're making out with a babe, whatever music is playing becomes great "make-out" music.
- rob, vancouver, Canada

Great film, great song, one of the better instrumental songs.
- Teresa, Mechelen, Belgium

Melissa you have to be there!!!!!!
- pete, nowra, Australia

this was the first song i ever learned to play on the piano. i love it!
- kristina, houston, TX

One of my favorite instrumental pieces of all time. The second verse where the synthesizer kicks in is my favorite part of this song.
- Mike, Chicago, IL

"Chariots Of Fire" was a great movie. It's a rare film that dares to use music that is 'out of period', in this case, synthesizer music to score a film that is set in the '20's. Other good examples of this are "The Sting" which is set in the '30's, but uses Scott Joplin's ragtime pieces from the 1900's. Another is "Ladyhawke" which is set in the Middle Ages, but has a rock music score.
- Robert, Puyallup, WA

No, Pete. This is not a great make out song.
- Melissa, Happy Place, KS

Great make out song?
- MOnty, Omaha, NE

Great song! When I hear it, I always go all "reflective" ie remembering thngs that have happened in my life!!!
- Mark, Dundee, Scotland

great make out song
- pete, nowra, Australia

Where do I find the notes of this beautiful song? Jay,TX
- jay, humble, TX

This song in my view is the best and most inspirational song I have ever heard.
- Joseph, Livonia, MI