After a long build-up and much anticipation, the Rugby action has finally gotten underway, with ITV bringing viewers live and exclusive coverage to fans in the UK.
Who sings the Rugby World Cup theme song?
The ITV Rugby World Cup opening music is a new cover of the tournaments official anthem ‘World in Union’ that this year is performed by the British singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé who’s famous for such hits as ‘Read All About It’, ‘Heaven’, ‘Next to Me’ and ‘Clown’. Emeli is joined on the track by Sarah Àlainn, a Japanese vocalist and violinist who was raised in Australia. If you’re a fan of this cover, you can download or stream the full-length version now from Amazon UK.
The tournaments official version though (below) was recorded by Japanese singer Kiyoe Yoshioka and can also be downloaded now from Amazon. The J-pop star is famous in her home country for being a vocalist in the three-piece band Ikimonogakari. Kiyoe has also included a full-length version of the cover on her debut solo album ‘Utairo’.
The lyrics to World in Union were written by record producer and composer Charlie Skarbek, with the song first being recorded for the World Cup back in 1991 by Kiri Te Kanawa. Since then a number of different artists have recorded a cover, including Shirley Bassey and Bryn Terfel, Hayley Westenra, Paloma Faith and now Kiyoe Yoshioka.
Running from the 20th of September to the 2nd of November, the Rugby World Cup is this time being played in Japan, which may mean a few early mornings for fans in Britain, hence the ITV adverts ‘Rise for the Rugby World Cup on ITV’ title. You can watch that full ITV trailer here.