"You Raise Me Up" is a song originally composed by Irish-Norwegian duo Secret Garden. The music was written by Secret Garden's Rolf Løvland and the lyrics by Brendan Graham. After the song was performed early in 2002 by the Secret Garden and their invited lead singer, Brian Kennedy, the song only became a minor UK hit. The song has been recorded by more than a hundred other artists including Josh Groban, who popularized the song in 2003; his rendition became a hit in the United States. The Irish band Westlife then popularized the song in the UK two years later. "You Raise Me Up" is sung as a contemporary hymn in church services.
The song was originally written as an instrumental piece and titled "Silent Story." Parts of the melody (especially the opening phrase of its chorus) resemble the traditional Irish tune Londonderry Air, which is best known as the usual tune to the 1910 song Danny Boy. Løvland approached Irish novelist and songwriter Brendan Graham to write the lyrics to his melody after reading Graham's novels.
The song was written by and for Løvland himself and performed for the very first time at the funeral of Løvland's mother. Here he noted “there's something about the song people are embracing - which becomes emotionally strong. [...] I believe people think of it as a song they use for their own stuff.”.
In 2002, it was released on the Secret Garden album Once in a Red Moon, with the vocals sung by Irish singer Brian Kennedy, and sold well in both Ireland and Norway. Originally, Brian Kennedy was supposed to follow Secret Garden on their Asian tour in 2002, but fell ill, and could not attend. He was replaced by Norwegian singer Jan Werner Danielsen, who also later recorded the song together with Secret Garden. A demo version of this recording was released in 2010, on Danielsen's posthumous compilation album One More Time - The Very Best Of, which included several previously unpublished recordings.
Although the original version did not chart internationally, the song has now been covered more than 125 times, with the most successful covers being by Josh Groban (#73 in the US and #1 on the US Adult Contemporary chart), Westlife (#1 in the UK), Daniel O'Donnell (#22 in the UK) and Dutch Popstars winner Wesley Klein (#4 in the Netherlands). The song has also found success as part of a three-song EP entitled "George Best - A Tribute" by Peter Corry and the song's original vocalist Brian Kennedy, which reached #4 in the UK.
In 2004, the song was played more than 500,000 times on American radio. In late 2005, there were over 80 versions available in USA alone, and it has been nominated for Gospel Music Awards four times, including "Song of the Year."
On 21 September 2006, "You Raise Me Up" became the first song to have sold over 76,000 copies of the score on the popular sheet music website musicnotes.com.
In 2003, David Foster decided to produce the song after being introduced to it by Frank Petrone of peermusic, the song's publisher. He chose the up-and-coming Josh Groban to record the song, which was accompanied by the tenor Craig Von Vennik of the Establishment. Groban's version made it to #1 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart in early 2004 and remained there for six weeks. This version also peaked at #73 on the Billboard Hot 100, his first single to do so, and was nominated for a 2005 Grammy award.
Groban performed the song at Super Bowl XXXVIII, in a special NASA commemoration for the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. A special surprise performance by Groban, for Oprah Winfrey's 50th birthday, also gave "You Raise Me Up" massive international prominence. On April 25, 2007, Groban also performed it at the first Idol Gives Back Concert, along with the African Children's Choir. This version was released as a single and peaked at #76 on the Billboard Hot 100. He performed this version with the African Children's Choir again on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on August 10, 2007.
On May 26, 2007, Josh Groban appeared on BBC's talent show Any Dream Will Do to select one of the remaining contestants (or "Josephs") to perform the song with him. He chose show favourite and eventual winner Lee Mead, whilst the other four contestants (Lewis Bradley, Craig Chalmers, Ben Ellis, and Keith Jack) performed as backing singers. Following this, the solo version of "You Raise Me Up" charted in the UK at #74, making it his first chart entry there.
"You Raise Me Up" was the lead single from Westlife's fifth studio album, Face To Face. This version is one of the most successful covers of the song, peaking at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, the only version to do so. This was the band's 13th number-one single as well as the first single to be released following the departure of Brian McFadden from the group. The single has sold 540,000 copies in the UK so far. Westlife performed this song with Secret Garden at the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize concert. On December 11, 2009, they performed it again at the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize concert celebrating US President Barack Obama. When Louis Walsh suggested the band to record it, Filan, Egan, Byrne, and Feehily were against it saying it was a church song, and would not be a success. They also said they did not want to record it. However, they have since claimed in 2011, six years after the single's release, that the song changed their careers and were glad they recorded it.
The backing track is re-used in the Spanish version of this song, "Por Ti Sere", performed by Il Divo in their Siempre album.
Face To Face Tour (2006)
The Love Tour (2007)
Back Home Tour (2008)
Where We Are Tour (2010)
Gravity Tour (2011)
The Farewell Tour (2012)
UK CD1
- "You Raise Me Up" – 4:00
- "World Of Our Own" (Acoustic Version) – 3:30
UK CD2
- "You Raise Me Up" – 4:00
- "Flying Without Wings" (Acoustic Version) – 3:30
- "My Love" (Acoustic Version) – 3:48
On the second season of Popstars in the Netherlands, "You Raise Me Up" was recorded by each of the four finalists - Kim Stolker, Kristel Roulaux, Joshua Newton and Wesley Klein. When Klein won, his version was released as a single in the Netherlands under the mononym Wesley, peaking at #4 in the Dutch Top 40 and staying in the charts for eleven weeks, making it the first version of the song to reach the top 10 in the Netherlands. The song was subsequently released as the final track on his debut album Vandaag en morgen (meaning Today and Tomorrow in Dutch).
British singer Becky Taylor covered the song on her second album Shine (1 July 2003), released before Josh Groban's version.
The song was recorded by Daniel O'Donnell in 2003 and was a hit throughout Ireland and the UK, charting at #22 in the UK.
A version by Christian group Selah (with both verses included, as originally written) went to #1 on Billboard's Christian charts and was included on their 2004 album Hiding Place. This recording was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2005 Dove Awards.
Brian Kennedy re-released the single after performing it at Northern Irish football player George Best's funeral on 3 December 2005. The song charted in the UK at #4 in January 2006 (as part of a three-song EP entitled "George Best — A Tribute").
The song has also been released by Aled Jones, Ronan Tynan, Sissel Kyrkjebø, Russell Watson, Javier Fontana, Selah, Celtic Woman, David Tibenovski, Tommy Fleming, Michael Ball, and the Celtic Tenors with Samantha Mumba, this time with an R&B flow to it.
Åsa Jinder has written lyrics in Swedish, "Rör vid min själ" and was recorded by Sanna Nielsen and was released as a 2006 single and is included on her 2006 album "Nära mej, nära dej".
In 2005, the song was recorded by Croatian singer Ivo Gamulin Gianni in Croatian under the name "Ljubav to si ti".
The song was also recorded by Daniel Beck, a Mormon musician. The song was used for EFY's 2007 CD Power in Purity.
Lisa Kelly recorded a solo version for the album Celtic Woman.
In 2005, Celtic Woman cover this song, and it is used as the theme song of a Japanese TV Drama Byakkotai.
The song was covered in Japanese by Korean-American singer Lena Park as the opening theme to the Japanese anime TV series Romeo x Juliet, which premiered in Japan on April 2007. Park also covered an English version of the song, which was featured in episodes 7 and 24 of the English version of the series, released in two sets in both June and August 2009.
On November 10, 2007 the song was performed live in series 4 of UK show The X Factor by contestant Rhydian Roberts. The performance received highly positive praise from all four judges: Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue. Five weeks later, on December 15, 2007, Rhydian Roberts performed the song on The X Factor with Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins.
Paul Potts and Il Divo separately recorded a Spanish version of this song called Por Ti Seré. This loosely translated version appears on Pott's One Chance album and Il Divo's Siempre.
On May 10, 2008, Austin Blackburn performed the song as part of his Britain's Got Talent audition using a common hardware saw as his instrument of choice.
On May 6, 2008, Manu Castellano performed the Spanish version ("Por Ti Seré") in Operación Triunfo.
In May 2008, Shin released a Chinese cover ("永不沉没"), during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
Connie Talbot included "You Raise Me Up" on her re-released album Over the Rainbow (16 June 2008). Talbot also included "You Raise Me Up" as the second track on her two singles "Three Little Birds" (20 June 2008) and "I Will Always Love You" (15 June 2009).
On September 2, 2008, Tom WIlliams performed the song on Australian Idol in the Top 24.
On September 27, 2008, Korean Idol group TVXQ performed the song with blind pianist Ye-Eun on SBS Chocolate.
On October 10, 2008, Czech singer Josef Vágner release an album Mě sílu dáš (translated You give me power) named by the first song in the album.
On October 19, 2008, the song was performed by later winner Freek Bartels in the semi-finals of 'Op zoek naar Joseph' (the Dutch version of BBC's talent show Any Dream Will Do).
On November 16, 2008, the song Video on YouTube was performed by Michael Hirte from Potsdam in the show "Das Supertalent" (the German version of "Britain's Got Talent") using his harmonica. This version charted in Switzerland at #76.Chart performance for Michael Hirte version
On November 22, 2008, Ola Onabule performed it together with the Royal Philharmonic Ensemble (conducted by David Eaton) and the Vienna Peace Choir at the Global Peace Festival in Excel Centre, London.Video on YouTube
On December 9, 2008, Ysgol Glanaethwy, runners up in the BBC's Last Choir Standing, released a CD, O Fortuna, which had a Welsh version of You Raise Me Up 'Dyrchefir Fi'.
On March 28, 2008, runner-up, Laura, performed the song live in the final of the Danish X Factor.
On April 21, 2009, Celtic Woman performed "You Raise Me Up" on the popular American TV show Dancing with the Stars.
On May 2, 2009, David Foster protegée Charice released a rendition of "You Raise Me Up" for a Mother's Day album. This song was produced by Star Records of the Philippines.
Also on May 2, 2009, South Korean boy band SHINHWA's lead vocalist Shin Hye Sung successfully performed You Raise Me Up towards the end of his concert during the 2009 Keep Leaves Tour in Seoul. The performance was featured in his DVD of the concert, which was released in the same year, as the 20th track.
On May 9, 2009, Transmontuna (Tuna Universitária de Trás-os-Montes e Alto-Douro ) performed "Por ti seré" Video on YouTube Video on YouTube, the Spanish version of "You raise me up" together with an Orchestra that joined teachers and students from the Conservatório Regional de Musica de Vila Real, conducted by maestro Vasco Sousa. Luis Rocha, Gaiato, the soloist of this cover, was considered the best voice that ever stood on Vila Real's Theatre stage.
On May 9, 2009, Girls' Generation member Jessica and solo artist Lena Park performed "You Raise Me Up" at the Korea Times Music Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in LA.
In 2009, Mark Vincent recorded the version for his debut studio album My Dream – Mio Visione.
On August 3, 2009, Rhap Salazar rendered the song at the funeral service of former Philippine President Corazon Aquino.
Paul Byrom of Celtic Thunder, produced by the producer of Celtic Woman, recorded a cover in spring 2009.
Australian duo Generation Gap recorded the song (complete with both verses) for their album, A New Beginning, which was released in December 2009.
German musical actor Andreas Bieber sang the song as a duet with international star Pia Douwes on his album No Frontiers.
In September 2008, Jewish pop star, Yaakov Shwekey covered the song with some minor changes to the lyrics, so as to be acceptable by the orthodox population.
In 2010 fans of Colchester United FC began to adopt the song as an anthem to be performed in traditional choral style on matchdays while travelling on public transport on the terraces at away matches and to the delight of the locals in pubs up and down the land.
In January 2010, a Tahitian adaptation by Ronny TERIIPAIA, titled "E AO MÄ'OHI" (It's a mä'ohi (Polynesian) world by COJT (Committee of young people of The Tävini Huira'atira political party led by Mr Oscar TEMARU whose goal is the independence of French Polynesia) was released.
On February 17, 2010, this song was performed by Korean girl group Brown Eyed Girls to commemorate the return of the nation's popular Mnet Countdown 2010. It is also to perform for the survivors of the Haiti earthquake.
On February 18, 2010, this song was again performed by Korean artists on the KBS Music Bank, ranging from Jokwon of 2AM, Kim Jong-kook, Taeyeon and Jessica of Girls' Generation, Jang Hee Young, Ming Kyung Hoon and Jung Yonghwa of CN.Blue. It was also performed for the survivors of the Haiti earthquake.
On June 8, 2010, the song was used in a mash-up with Olivia Newton-John's "Magic" on the season 1 finale of Glee.
In 2010, the German singer Helene Fischer performed the song on her "So wie ich bin"-tour.
A Finnish version of the song was recorded by Kari Tapio titled "Kuin taivaisiin".
Japanese voice actress Ayahi Takagaki covered the song in her cover album, "melodia". The track itself is firstly included in her single, "Kimi ga Iru Basho" as the secondary coupling song.
In August 2010, Cantopop singer Mimi Lo recorded a Cantonese version of the song for her compilation album, Very Meaningful.
For the semi-finals of K-Pop Star in Korea, Park Jimin covered this song.
On 2011, the Catalan singer Sergio Dalma has sung a Catalan version titled Em dones força (You give me force) with the boys' choir of the Escolania de Montserrat for the Marató de TV3, a telethon broadcast every year by Televisió de Catalunya.
In January 2011 Real Radio Scotland DJ Steve McKenna did a cover of the song for Help for Heroes.
In April 2011, Cantopop singer G.E.M. (singer) sang a version of the song in her 2011 Get Everybody Moving concert tour.
An arrangement by Louis-Amik Lalonde was produced for the 19th Annual Indspire Awards, held in Vancouver February 24, 2012 and broadcast nationally (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Global Television Canada). Introduced by hosts Theoren Fleury and Carmen Moore: an all-star performance by (in order of appearance) Noelle Maracle, Andrea Menard, Jani Lauzon, Rita Coolidge, Sandy Scofield, Fara Palmer, Inez Jasper, Leela Gilday.
On 17 August 2012 an arrangement was performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for the 85th birthday celebration of Thomas S. Monson in the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Hayley Westenra sang this song with the two Korean singers Park Gi Yeong and Son Ho Yeong in Opera Star in 2012 as the grand finale.
On December 30, 2012, The One sang an arrangement of this song during Season 2 of I Am A Singer.
On September 30, 2013, Filipina singer Jolina Magdangal sang this version in Filipino as "Nassang da Ong" for her upcoming album, released in March 2014.
American Singer Nick Palance performs live for charity at CVAP Coachella Valley Alumnae Panhellenic April, 2014, in Palm Springs
In 2014, John Barrowman covered the song on his album You Raise Me Up.
Celtic Woman performed You Raise Me Up at their albums: Celtic Woman (album) (2005), Celtic Woman: A New Journey (2007), Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey (2008), Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart (2009), Celtic Woman: Believe (CD Japan version only; the 2007 version), Celtic Woman: Emerald - Musical Gems (2014), Celtic Woman: Destiny (2015).
On 30 July 2016, SNH48 and its sister groups performed the Chinese version of the song, "比翼齐飞", with lyrics written by its members, Wu Yanwen, Zhang Yunwen, Yan Jiaojun, Luo Xueli, Su Shanshan, Zhang Xiaoying and Feng Jiaxi at the closing of the concert held before the 3rd annual General Election.
The Baseballs also sang that song on the album Hit Me Baby.
A cover version is included as a bonus track on Elisa's 2016 album GENETICA.
Shizuka Arakawa, the 2006 Olympic gold medalist in figure skating, used the piece as an exhibition number for many shows and professional competitions during 2005–2010. Michelle Kwan skated to the song during the 2004 Champion on Ice Tour and other competitions in 2005. Caroline Zhang skated this song in her exhibitions in the 2006–2007 and 2007–2008 skating season.
The song was translated into Japanese by Korean-American singer Lena Park and this version was used as the opening song of the anime Romeo X Juliet.
I.K. Start, a Norwegian football club, uses this song as a club anthem.
