RACE TO THE END

In the US, Vangelis's 1981 single "Chariots of Fire - Titles" was a big hit, reaching #1 on both the Cashbox and Billboard charts in 1982. It was one of 24 number-one instrumentals in the 60-year history of the Billboard Hot 100. It was also a top-ten hit in several other English-speaking countries.

As familiar as I was with "Chariots of Fire - Titles," and despite my interest in Jon Anderson's music, I never knew until today, while preparing this review, that Anderson wrote lyrics for the song, which in its vocal version is known as "Race to the End." A number of recordings of the Vangelis-Anderson composition were released in 1982, including one by Melissa Manchester and another by Vangelis's former bandmate Demis Roussos.

Since "Chariots of Fire" was the theme of a movie about the 1924 Olympics, it's been associated with the quadrennial games, and Anderson apparently released this version in connection with the 2012 Games. (His interest in the Olympics is also reflected in the title song of Yes's Going for the One (1977).) "Race to the End" is a download-only single with no b-side.

This is a well-composed, well-performed song. It's unlikely to be mistaken for progressive rock; it's not progressive, and it's definitely not rock. But it fits the Prog Archives criteria for three stars: "good, but not essential."