Rise and shine! Katy Perry released “Rise,” her first new song since 2013, in the late hours of Thursday, July 14. The ballad will serve as the soundtrack to NBC’s coverage of the Summer Olympics 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
The “Firework” singer, 31, revealed that she’d been having some really late nights in the studio writing songs for her new album, but that this one couldn’t wait.
“There is, however, a song that’s been brewing inside of me for years that has finally come to the surface,” she told her loyal Katy Cats in a Friday, July 15, video message aired on the Today show. “I was inspired to finish it now rather than save it for the album because of the overall mood of the world today,” she said. “Now more than ever, there is a need for our world to unite. I know that together we can rise above the fear — in our country, and around the world.”
The music video for “Rise,” which is available for digital download on iTunes, contains footage from previous Olympic games and trials and features athletes such as Gabby Douglas, Missy Franklin, Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt. Today reports that a clip of the video will be shown in 20,000 movie theaters ahead of the Opening Ceremony Friday, August 5.
“I can’t think of a better example coming up than the Olympic athletes, as they gather together in Rio with their strength and fearlessness to remind us how we all can come together with the resolve to be the best we can be,” she continued. “Let’s be inspired. Let’s heal. Let’s unite and rise.”
The Rio Olympics begin August 5 and will be streamed live on NBCOlympics.com and on the NBC Sports app. The Rio Paralympics begin September 7 and will be streamed live on TeamUSA.org.
