You Raise Me Up

Having won the Eurovision Song Contest twice for Ireland and penned dozens of hit songs for a huge variety of artists, Brendan Graham has earned his status as one of Ireland’s all-time most important and successful songwriters. But to say that is only to scratch the surface. The apex of the Tipperary-born songwriter’s achievements is with ‘You Raise Me Up’, a co-write with Rolf Løvland, of Secret Garden, which is right up there among the most successful and most recorded songs in the world over the past fifty years. It has been a No.1 UK and Irish hit for Westlife and a US hit for Josh Groban, who subsequently got to sing the song at a special NASA commemoration for the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster at Super Bowl XXXVIII; and in a special performance for Oprah Winfrey’s 50th Birthday. It has become a standard on ceremonial occasions, featuring at hundreds of major social, political, religious and humanitarian events across the world, from the opening of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast in 2007, through the Nobel Peace Prize concert celebrating Barack Obama in 2009, to the closing ceremony in the Winter Olympics in Korea in 2018, and beyond. It has been recorded over 1,400 times, in fifty languages, and accumulated over 2 billion internet views, over 100 million record sales and over 3 million sheet music sales already. In terms of capturing the hearts of countless millions, it truly is one of the most remarkable songs of this or any other era.

The Story Behind The Song

Tipperary-born songwriter, Brendan Graham, has an enviable track record. He has won the prestigious Eurovision Song Contest not once, but twice for Ireland, with ‘Rock’n’Roll Kids’ sung by Charlie McGettigan & Paul Harrington in 1994, and again with ‘The Voice’ sung by Eimear Quinn in 1996. ‘The Voice’ was subsequently added to the GCSE music syllabus throughout Britain, confirming its status as a song to learn – and a song to learn from. But Graham’s extraordinary talent has shone on a wider stage, with his songs featuring on albums recorded right across the globe, by Irish and international artists alike, from Canada to China and New Zealand to Japan, selling in tens of millions – and counting. He is also a successful novelist, publishing a series of three novels The Whitest Flower (1998), The Element of Fire (2001) and The Brightest Day, The Darkest Night (2004), which tell the story of an Irish family driven to America during the Great Famine and the subsequent life led by the trilogy’s ultimate heroine, Ellen Rua O’Malley, in the US.

Brendan’s biggest and best-known song is ‘You Raise Me Up’, co-written with the Norwegian musician and composer Rolf Løvland, which has become a vast global industry all on its own, being recorded by over 1,400 artists in fifty different languages and inspiring over 2 billion internet views.

The origins of the song can be traced to the Norwegian-based Secret Garden, a duo comprising Irish violinist and singer Fionnuala Sherry from Co. Kildare, and the aforementioned Rolf Løvland. Løvland composed a melody which he titled ‘Silent Story’, which was based on the Irish traditional tune, ‘The Derry Air’ – which also provided the melodic basis for the celebrated, world famous American-Irish song, ‘Danny Boy’.

Having read The Whitest Flower, the Norwegian musician asked Brendan Graham to compose lyrics to the sound-bed and melody he had crafted. The song was completed by Brendan, at his rural retreat outside Cong in Co. Mayo, on the West coast of Ireland. Vocal duties for the first version, released in 2002, were given to virtuoso guest singer Brian Kennedy, from Belfast. People who heard that version – a No.1 hit in Norway – were mightily impressed with what was an emotion-packed, anthemic performance – but no one could have foretold just how exceptional its transformation would be, as the song became a completely unique, worldwide, musical phenomenon.

The mercurial journey of a song that truly hits the sweet spot started to properly take shape in 2003, when the American singer Josh Groban recorded ‘You Raise Me Up’, taking it to No.1 in the US Adult-Contemporary Charts, and chalking-up over one million sales in the process. The magic carpet ride that would sprinkle the song into the global collective consciousness had taken off in earnest. Two years later, it was recorded by Irish boyband Westlife, whose manager Louis Walsh is renowned for having a keen eye for a potential hit. That record became the group’s thirteenth No.1, including one week during which the single and the album from which it was taken both held down the top spot in the respective UK singles and album charts. Westlife’s version of ‘You Raise Me Up’ was also voted Record of the Year in Britain and was a big chart hit in numerous other countries.

A parade of additional recordings of the song began to proliferate, including versions by the Irish female troupe Celtic Woman, Welsh singer Aled Jones, Selah, a vocal trio based in Nashville, Tennessee, the famed Il Divo and BYU Vocal Point from Utah, USA. American singing legend Johnny Mathis sang it on his album The Great New American Songbook, a curious but nonetheless significant accolade for a song with no American creative involvement whatsoever. But that short list is truly merely the tip of the tip of the iceberg. In all, ‘You Raise Me Up’ has been recorded over 1,400 times, in fifty different languages.

It has also been performed at hundreds of major ceremonial and celebratory occasions, whether humanitarian, political, religious, cultural or sporting. It has featured almost endlessly on major television shows, including in places like China and North Korea. And so on, and on…

Asked by Hot Press magazine to name a particular highlight in his career to date, Graham said, “One that jumps out was when Josh Groban sang ‘You Raise Me Up’ at half-time during the Super Bowl. I recall watching it on television and seeing the tears streaming down the faces of those mighty, fine athletes. I also fondly remember when it was sung as part of the commemoration for the Columbia space shuttle tragedy. It was very moving.”

But, of course, he might have named any of a hundred other special performances of a song that also works as a kid of aural ambassador for what Irish music means to the world.

Brendan Graham’s other songs, meanwhile, have also inspired a remarkable number of recordings and performances in many languages, including a roll-call of international acts of the calibre of Irish traditional band Dervish, Scottish singer Karen Matheson, The Chieftains with movie star Liam Neeson, Moya Brennan of Clannad, Seán Keane, Aretha Franklin, the Riverdance choral group ANÚNA, Irish country legends Sandy Kelly and Daniel O’Donnell, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Elaine Paige, Katherine Jenkins, Helena Westenra, and many more, to add to his army of distinguished fans.

Brendan Graham, 20 September 2017, by Anita Kulon

Graham has acknowledged that most of his songs are either firmly grounded in reality or relate in some way to real life. His wistful Eurovision winner ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids’ explored how significant youthful dreams can live on into adulthood. Its seeds were sown at a Fats Domino concert in the National Stadium, Dublin, when he noted the number of not-so-young fans in the audience – people who had been caught up in the first fervour of rock ‘n’ roll and were still committed believers. History and places have also been a great source of inspiration. His song ‘Crucán na bPáiste’, based on a traditional melody, was inspired by a children’s graveyard just a short walk from his home in Co. Mayo.

‘Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears’ tells the story of Annie Moore, the first person to step ashore at Ellis Island when it opened as an Immigration Centre for America, all of 130 years ago, on 1st Jan 1892. First recorded by Seán and Dolores Keane, the song has had many iterations across the world, from the Irish Tenors at Ellis Island itself, with Martin Sheen introducing it, through Celtic Woman’s eponymous ‘Isle of Hope’ tour of the USA, to the awarding of the US’s Liberty Medal. There are also versions in Japanese in response to the Fukushima disaster; and in Basque, where it has become an anthem in the drive to preserve the Basque language and culture. It has been taught in history programmes both in Irish schools and in American ones and was made part of the Junior Music Cycle in Ireland in 2020.

There’s a music industry saying “when there’s a hit there’s a writ” – and the modern online-driven world has increased the tendency for popular, royalty-generating songs to be challenged in the copyright courts. ‘You Raise Me Up’ turned out to be no exception, when it was alleged in a legal challenge that it was actually based on an Icelandic song called ‘Soknudur’. But a federal judge in the USA comprehensively rejected what was dismissed as an entirely spurious claim.

In 2020, Brendan Graham took the unusual step of releasing his own spoken word version. He had wanted to do something personally to honour frontline workers who were battling against Covid. As Graham explained, “I made it to help the Worldwide Covid Frontline Work of the Doctors of Médecins Sans Frontières, who daily risk their own lives fighting to save the lives of others in over 70 countries."

And so it continues: a song built on hope and positivity is helping to save lives, as well as raising spirits on a global scale. Long may it run.

They all sang ‘You Raise Me Up’: (clockwise, l to r): Aretha Franklin, Cathy Jordan (Dervish), Karen Matheson, Moya Brennan (Clannad) and Hayley Westenra

Brendan Graham, with the hand-written, draft lyrics to 'You Raise Me Up', 20 September 2017, by Anita Kulon

You Raise Me Up: An Inventory of its phenomenal global success

It was the renowned Canadian musician, composer and record producer David Foster, who produced the Josh Groban US hit version, who said of ‘You Raise Me Up’: ''The song, to me...feels like it could go on a journey.'' He was not wrong!

The Charts and Commercial Journey of ‘You Raise Me Up’...

Over 1,400 versions of the song written by Brendan Graham and Rolf Løvland have been recorded by different artistes, in over 50 languages. Chart highlights include:

No.1 Single - Billboard Adult Contemporary (6 weeks) - Josh Groban
No.1 Single - Billboard Christian Chart - Selah
No.1 Single - UK Record of the Year - Westlife
No.4 Single - UK - Brian Kennedy
No.1 Single - Netherlands - Wesley Klein
No.1 Single - Norway - Secret Garden ft Brian Kennedy
No.1 Single - European Dance Chart - Deja Vu

The Big Numbers

100 million+ records sold
2 billion+ internet views.
1.5 million+ US Airplays - (BMI Million-Air Award).
3 million+ sheet music sales
1 million singles sales in USA (NMPA Platinum Award)

You Raise Me Up has featured on No.1 albums from…

Josh Groban: Closer - USA
Westlife – Face to Face - UK, Australia etc
Paul Potts – One Chance - UK, Germany
Russell Watson – The Ultimate Collection - UK
Il Divo – Ancora - USA, etc
Il Divo – Siempre - Global World Chart
Celtic Woman – Celtic Woman - Japan
Secret Garden – Inside I’m Singing – Norway
Michael Hirte – Der Mann Mit Der Mundharmonika – Germany
Various Artistes – Bush Fire Aid – Australia
Various Artistes – Flood Relief Appeal – Australia
Various Artistes – Io Canto Christmas – Italy
Larz Kristerz - Fran Alvdalen till Nashville - Sweden
Robin Stjernberg - My Versions - Sweden
Westlife - The Greatest Hits - Ireland
Harrison Craig - More Than A Dream - Australia
Auskarane - Farande Fant – Norway

And more recently…

Feb 2018 - You Raise Me Up on five CDs/DVDs on Australia’s Aria Charts - three at No.1 – Music DVDs; Core Classical Albums; Classical Crossover Albums.
May 2018 - You Raise Me Up – The Collection, 2018 – Secret Garden
Dec 2018 – Aled Jones & Russell Watson In Harmony – No 8 UK Charts
Jun 2019 – Westlife - Twenty Twenty Tour – New, extended Live Version (6½ Mins)

What Language Barriers?

Over 1,400 artistes have recorded You Raise Me Up, with versions in over 50 languages including:

Afrikaans, Arabic, Bulgarian, Cantonese, Catalan, Creole, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Elfdalian (Sweden), Euskera (Basque Country), Faroese, Finnish, French, German, Greenlandic, Hebrew, Hungarian, Ibaloi, Icelandic, Ilocano, Indonesian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Kikuyan Kenyan, Korean, Lithuanian, Malayam, Mandarin, Nepali, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Sami, Samoan, SisWati, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog (Philippines), Tahitian, Tongan, Ukranian, Welsh and Zulu.The Song Always Shines On TV

You Raise Me Up is one of the most frequently performed songs on popular talent shows including:

America’s Got Talent
Britain’s Got Talent
Sweden’s Got Talent Holland’s Got Talent (by winner Martin Hurkens)
American Idol
Australian Idol
Strictly Come Dancing
The Voice of America
The Voice of France
The Voice of Armenia
The Voice of Romania
X Factor UK
Russian X Factor
Danish X Factor
X Factor Ukraine
Spain's Operacion Triunfo
Italy's Io Canto
Holland's Popstars (by winner Wesley Klein – a No.1 single)
BBC's Any Dream Will Do
Holland's Op Zoek Naar Joseph (by winner Freek Bartels)
Germany's Das Supertalent (by winner Michael Hirte - on a No.1 album)
The Voice Kids, Philippines (by 2019 winner Vanjoss Bayaban)

Other Major TV Performances and Uses

National Memorial Day Concert
Royal Variety Show
Eastenders
Coronation Street
Family Guy
Benidorm
Come Fly With Me
Big School
As The World Turns
The Young and the Restless
Glee
Dancing With The Stars
Torvill & Dean's Dancing on Ice
Music and the Spoken Word - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Rugby’s Funniest Moments
Little Big Shots
Repeat After Me
Julie’s Greenroom
Faites Comme Chez Vous
Ellen de Generes Show
Harry Connick Jnr Show
The Talk
Live with Kelly & Michael
Good Morning America
Say it in Song
Oprah Winfrey
Today Show
Meredith Vieira Show
Rising Star
Una Cancion Koreana
Miss World (2014 & 2017)

2004/5 - Ireland - You Raise Me Up, 30min RTÉ TV documentary.
2014 - Japan - Keikolltoku - The Story of History, Vol. 4
2014 - Japan – GTO – Drama series
2016 - Scandinavia - Hitlåtens Historie -You Raise Me Up, 30min documentary.
2017 - China - Charley Song: FATHER - End title song in 30 episode TV biopic.
2017 - Australia - 24 Hours In Emergency S10 Ep9 - You Raise Me Up
2017 - USA - GIRLBOSS - Netflix series inspired by the best-selling memoir.
2018 - USA – Champions – NBC Comedy Series

TV Ad Campaigns It Has Featured In

Japan - Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Yamaha, Twinings Tea, CROOZ, Francos Inc & Tsuruya Dept Store
Sweden - Tele 2 & Falcon
Korea - S:UM & Huggies
Australia - Bay Audio
Ireland - Concern
Norway - Fjord Line Ferries

Westlife - You Raise Me Up

We've Seen It In The Movies

2007 - Japan - Byakottai - end title song by Celtic Woman.
2007 - Japan - Romeo and Juliet. Opening title song and single by Lena Park.
2009 - Nairobi - Rescuing Emmanuel - performed live by Nairobi's street children
2010 - Japan - Occult Academy (Anime) - End title song.
2010 - Korea - Secret Garden
2010 - USA - My Little Princess
2011 - Poland - Tato Poszedł Na Ryby (Dad Went Fishing) - Documentary.
2012 - USA - Fun Size - Josh Groban version on soundtrack
2014 - UK - Mrs. Browns Boys D'Movie - Westlife version in movie of TV series
2016 - Ireland- A Date for Mad Mary - Best Irish Feature Film - Susie Power
2016 - Korea - BO GO SIP EUN YEUNG HWA SAVS
2017 - Korea – Youth Choir – documentary.
2017 - Belgium - PETER PAN in 3D, A Never-ending story
2017 - Hong Kong – Find Your Voice

A Sheet Music Mega-hit

2006 – USA – MusicNotes - first song ever to sell 20,000 copies in print downloads
2007 – USA - No.1 in MusicNotes Bestsellers
2008 – USA - No.1 Bestseller - Pop; Adult Contemporary; Pop Choral and Download
2010 - USA -The World’s Greatest Standards - 51 of Most Popular Standards Ever Written
2010 – USA - Popular Performer: The Best Songs from Movies and Radio of 2000s
2010 – USA - Still No.1 in Pop, Choral and Adult Contemporary sheet music
2010 – USA - Hal Leonard Award for sales of 500,000 copies
2011 – USA - Still No.1 - Pop Sheet Music
2012 – USA - Decade by Decade - 100 Years of Popular Hits - Alfred Music
2012 – USA - Billboard Sheet Music Hits 2000-2010 - song folio, Alfred Music
2016 – USA - Billboard Greatest Chart All-Stars of past 50 Years - song folio, Alfred
2018 – USA - The Best Songs Ever (9^th Ed) 71 All-time Hits - song folio, Hal Leonard
2018 – World - With 800 editions, worldwide sheet music sales surpass 3 million copies

The most inspiring cover of You Raise Me Up you've ever seen!

The Social, Humanitarian, Educational & Political Journey...

The theme for sermons in places of worship for denominations the world over, ‘You Raise Me Up’ is also used by trauma recovery groups and anti-bullying programmes. It is sung equally at celebratory and commemorative events – at graduations, weddings and funerals – as it is worldwide, to mark significant National, International and Global events.

The use of ‘You Raise Me Up’ has been granted on a gratis basis to a wide range of charitable organisations, and for disaster and famine relief throughout the world.

Amongst the beneficiary organisations:
Quincy Jones We Are The Future Concert/DVD for Africa
Hurricane Katrina Fund
Oprah Winfrey Angel Network Fund
American University of Beirut, Medical Centre/Open Minds; American Idol Gives Back
The World’s Largest Concert
Kidzwish Foundation, Australia (Theme Song)
The Make-A-Wish Organisation
The Foundation For A Better Life
The Hong Kong Girl Scouts Anti-Drugs Campaign
Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Possible Dreams International – Swaziland
Tuloy Foundation (Theme song) – The Phillipines
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse (Theme song) Sydney
World Vision International, China
Australia’s Bush Fire Aid and Flood Relief Fundraising CDs
UK’s NHS - Unity in the Community Programme
The Somerset Road Safety Partnership
Children in Crossfire
KODA - Korean Organ Donor Association -TV Promo
The Donegal Hospice, Ireland
TV campaign by Concern Haven for Haiti radio ad campaign, Ireland.

2002 - USA - Madison Square Gardens ceremony - FDNY fallen firefighters of 9/11.
2004 - Italy - Quincy Jones - We are the Future - Fundraising Concert/DVD, Rome.
2004 - USA - US Army, Fort Bragg - Family Support DVD.
2005 - Northern Ireland - George Best State Funeral, Belfast.
2005 - Norway - Nobel Peace Prize Concert, Oslo.
2005 - South Africa - South African Woman of the Year Awards.
2005 - USA - Oprah Winfrey 50th Birthday - and Angel Network Fund.
2006 - Ireland - CONCERN - Global Charity - TV Campaign.
2006 - USA - 9/11 Official Commemoration Service - Ground Zero, New York.
2006 - USA - 9/11 Official Commemoration Service - Pentagon, Washington.
2006 - USA - National Police Week Candlelight Vigil, National Memorial, Washington.
2006 - USA - World's Largest Concert.
2006 - USA - Mormon Tabernacle Pioneer Day Commemoration, Salt Lake City.
2006 - USA - Salvation Army - video - Annual Fundraising Banquet, San Antonio.
2006 - USA - The Universal School of Life for Gifted Children - Fundraising DVD.
2007 - Canada - The Canadian Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation - DVD, Manitoba.
2007 - Korea - Sookmyung Women's University - Educational DVD.
2007 - Northern Ireland - Opening of Northern Ireland Assembly, Belfast.
2007 - USA - American Idol Gives Back - Ellen de Generes Show.
2008 - UK - National Health Service 'Better Health' DVD.
2008 - UK - Make A Wish Foundation, Fundraising DVD.
2008 - USA - The White House, Washington.
2008 - USA - National Law Enforcement Officers Candlelight Vigil, Washington DC.
2008 - UK - Global Peace Festival.
2008 - USA - Foundation for a Better Life - TV advertisement (Telly Award).
2009 - Australia - Australian Bushfire Aid - Artists For The Bushfire Appeal, CD.
2009 - Australia - Australian Foster Care - theme for Annual Conference.
2009 - Kenya - 'Rescuing Emmanuel' - TV documentary - Nairobi's street children.
2009 - Norway - Nobel Peace Prize Concert, Oslo.
2009 - Philippines - President Corazon Aquino - funeral.
2009 - 2014 - UK - University of West London - Popular Music Vocals, Syllabus.
2009 - USA - The White House, Washington.
2009 - USA - Nelson Mandela 91st Birthday, Aretha Franklin/Josh Groban Radio City.
2010 - Korea - Song for Haiti Concert.
2010 - Korea – 31^st Blue Dragon Film Awards, National Theatre, Seoul.
2010 - Philippines - President Benigno Aquino 111, Inauguration Ceremony.
2010 - Tahiti - E AO MÄ'OHI (in Tahitian) - Anthem of Tahitian Independence Party.
2010 - UK - News of the World/Barnardos – Children’s Champions Awards, London.
2010 - USA - Liberty Medal Award Ceremony presented by Bill Clinton to Tony Blair.
2010 - Wales - Haiti Appeal Concert, Cardiff.
2011 - Australia - Flood Relief - Artists for The Flood Appeal, CD.
2011 - Australia - Palliative Care WA - Annual Commemoration Service.
2011 - China - You Raise Me Up calendar - Children’s Rehabilitation Centre.
2011 - Ireland - Queen Elizabeth II - State Visit.
2011 - Ireland - Donegal Hospice - Fund Raising CD.
2011 - Ireland - Gala Fundraising Concert - Special Olympics, Eastern Region.
2011 - Japan - Japan Earthquake Relief - Jammin' for Japan, Tokyo.
2011 - New Zealand - Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, CD/DVD.
2011 - Norway - Memorial Concert - Oslo & Utøya Island Terrorist Attack.
2011 - Spain - Fundraising Single – Em Dones Forca for Marato de TV3.
2011 - Swaziland - Voices for the Voiceless - Fund Raising CD.
2011 - UK - AGE UK, Charity.
2011 - USA - League of American Orchestras - 10^th Anniversary of September 11.
2012 - Canada - National Aboriginal Achievement Awards.
2012 - Hong Kong - Animals Asia Foundation - Fundraising CD.
2012 - Ireland - Closing Ceremony, 50th International Eucharistic Congress, Dublin.
2012 - Ireland - Titanic 100 Commemoration, Cobh.
2012 - Japan - United Nations Charity Event, Japanese Earthquake, Hiroshima.
2012 - Korea - Commemoration of 31st United Nations International Day of Peace.
2012 - New Zealand - Christchurch Earthquake, Memorial Service.
2012 - UK - Salvation Army - Fundraising TV Advertisement.
2012 - USA - National Law Enforcement Officers Candlelight Vigil, Washington.
2013 - Canada - Theme: “Trustee Leadership and Ontario’s Catholic Schools’’.
2013 - South Africa - Nelson Mandela Commemoration, Cape Town Stadium.
2013 - Sweden - Queen Silvia, 70th Birthday, Stockholm.
2013 - UK - Breast Cancer Campaign - Fundraising Single.
2013 - UK - BBC's Children in Need.
2013 - USA - 9/11 Ground Zero Official Ceremonies, New York.
2013 - USA - Boston Common Vigil for victims of Boston Marathon bombing.
2013 - USA - Our Fallen Brothers - Prescott, AZ. Fire Department, Memorial Service.
2013 - USA - MDA Telethon Tribute - The International Association of Fire Fighters.
2013 - USA - National Memorial Day Concert, West Lawn, Washington, DC.
2014 - Australia - Tribute - Sydney siege victims, 100,000 people, Sydney Domain.
2014 - Australia - Great Irish Famine Committee - Fundraising CD, Sydney.
2014 - UK - Miss World Finale - Tribute to Julia Morley, London.
2014 - USA - Re-opening Ceremony, National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis.
2014 - USA - International Association of Fire Fighters Convention, Cincinnati.
2014 - USA - Concert in Tribute: Sewol Ferry Victims of Korea.
2014 - USA – 9/11 Commemoration – 105 Squadron, New York Air National Guard
2015 - Holland - Memorial Day - Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten.
2015 - Hong Kong - National Day Official 66^th Birthday, People's Republic of China.
2015 - Ireland - Prince Charles - State Visit to Ireland.
2015 - Korea - Korea Organ Donor Association, promo video.
2015 - Northern Ireland - Historic First National Famine Commemoration in NI.
2015 - Norway - SOS Children's Villages, Fundraiser TV2 Artistgalla – Oslo.
2015 - Philippines - Pope Francis visit to Manila.
2015 - UAE - Global Education and Skills Forum - Opening Ceremony - Dubai.
2015 - UK - Labour Party Spring Conference - Opening Ceremony, Birmingham.
2015 - USA - Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia.
2015 - USA - Inauguration Speech, Greg Abbott - Governor of Texas.
2015 - USA - Paul Newman Tribute – Serious Fun Children's Network - NYC.
2015 - USA - UN - Korea’s Grey Youth Choir - World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
2016 - Ireland - 1916 Rising - Centenary Commemoration – TV Special.
2016 - Ireland - On Raglan Road - Great Irish Love Songs (Book: Gerald Hanberry).
2016 - Ireland - You Raise Me Up Concert - Zest4 Kidz, Children’s Hospital, Uganda.
2016 - Lebanon - Open Minds – Video documentary on children with special needs.
2016 - Tasmania - Australia Remembers Victims of Port Arthur Massacre, Hobart.
2016 - UK - BBC Sport Relief - Opening Ceremony - Olympic Stadium, London.
2016 - USA - Smash Hits - The 100 Songs that Defined America (Book - JE Perone).
2016 - USA - SHOULDERS - Film - The Hillary Rodham Clinton story - theme song.
2016 - USA - Seventh Annual You Raise Me Up Concert – Special Olympics, Illinois.
2016 - USA - Case Study of an Irish Songwriter, College of Charleston, SC.
2017 - Australia - Solemn State Vigil for victims of attack on Melbourne’s CBD.
2017 - Australia - ANZAC DAY commemorations.
2017 - Australia - Chris O’Brien Lifehouse cancer centre of excellence - theme song
2017 - Australia - Funeral, ‘Golden Girl’, Betty Cuthbert Olympic Gold medallist x 4.
2017 - Belize - You Raise Me Up Charity - auction of hand-inscribed sheet music.
2017 - China - Charley Song: FATHER - 30 episode TV biopic, end-title song.
2017 - China - Miss World Humanitarian Award – Tuloy Foundation, Manila.
2017 - Hawaii - Annual Memorial Day Ceremony - National Memorial of the Pacific.
2017 - Ireland - Haven for Haiti Charity – Concert & Ad campaign.
2017 - New Zealand - Women on the Frontlines, Annual Conference.
2017 - Pakistan - State Funeral of Sr. Dr. Ruth Pfau (Mother Teresa of Pakistan).
2017 - Russia - First East-West Friendship Concert, Moscow.
2017 - UK - Festival of Remembrance - Royal Albert Hall.
2017 - USA - Finale - Lions Club International, Centennial Convention, Chicago.
2017 - USA Hawaii - Annual Memorial Day - 50^th Anniversary of Vietnam War.
2018 - Australia - State Memorial Service - 2017 Melbourne Attack.
2018 - Australia - National Photographic Competition Open Category Winner.
2018 - Canada - British Columbia’s or Children We Care Gala – Vancouver.
2018 - China - Hand in Hand International Children’s Music Festival – Shanghai.
2018 - Korea - Winter Olympics - North Korean Samjiyon (State) Orchestra.
2018 - Czech Republic - Breast Cancer Support Video.
2018 - Norway - State Funeral of ‘Hero of Telemark’, Joachim Rønneberg.
2018 - Thailand - Scubility Project for the Disabled.
2018 - USA - Women’s Federation for World Peace USA.
2019 - China - Jack Ma bids farewell to Alibaba in rock star fashion, Hangzhou
2019 - Ireland - Funeral of Ireland’s most beloved broadcaster – Gay Byrne
2019 - Japan - Empress Michiko makes lyrical translation for book of poems
2019 - Philippines - You Raise Me Up Reflection Tree - Tuloy Children’s Foundation
2019 - Singapore - You Raise Me Up Concert for Children’s Charity Foundation
2019 - UK - Irish President, Michael D. Higgins visit to Birmingham Memorial
2019 - UK - Remembrance Sunday
2019 - USA - Gala Concert -
2019 - USA - Central Synagogue 180^th Anniversary at Carnegie Hall
2020 - Australia - Funeral of NSW Rural Fire Service, firefighter, Geoffrey Keaton
2020 – Canada – CARFLEO (Ontario) Video Tribute to Healthcare Workers
2020 - Ireland - Funeral of legendary RTE DJ – Larry Gogan
2020 - Ireland - Spoken Version by Brendan Graham for Medecins Sans Frontieres
2020 - Ireland - Stellar Choir - ‘Thank You’ to Coronavirus Frontline Workers
2020 - Ireland - Belvedere College Choir Tribute to all Essential Workers
2020 - Ireland - State Funeral – Detective Garda, Colm Horkan
2020 - South Korea - SportsDoctors Covid19 Video w Pop Artistes & Sunhae Im
2020 - UAE - Dubai Duty Free Nightingales - Tribute to Global Travel Employees
2020 - UK - Charity Single for NHS and Claire House Children’s Hospice
2020 - UK - West End Stars - Charity Auction for Carers Trust
2020 - UK - Charity Single - NHS Charities Together – Denise Pearson.
2020 - UK - Morriston Choir sing for NHS Staff – Swansea, Wales
2020 - UK - Visionary Honours Arts Awards
2020 - UK - Warrington Male Voice Choir/Terry Waite for NHS & Carers
2020 – UK - Charity single – Shooting Star Children’s Hospice – Martin Dickinson
2020 - USA - President Trump – Retweet – Helene Fischer duet w Celine Tam
2020 - USA - Anderson Regional Health System Honours Physician
2020 - USA - UN ‘Drive for 5’ - Sustainable Development Goals (Education)
2020 - USA - Ohana Arts Choir – Tribute to First Responders – Honolulu
2020 - USA - Yoel Levi and International Orchestra – Music of Hope
2020 - USA - Quincy Jones – Covid 19 - Global Virtual Piano Orchestra
2020 - USA - Josh Groban (in the shower) - Fundraiser for Meals on Wheels
2021 - China
2021 - France - Embassy of Ireland, Paris - St. Patrick’s Day Virtual Reception
2021 - Ireland - Late, Late Show, Shane Filan - Fundraiser, Irish Cancer Society
2021 - New Zealand - Global Wellness Day, Boyd Owen & Te Whanau Pukehuia
2021 - UK - HM, Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire – Theme for Easter
2021 - UK - Irish Post newspaper – Nine Moving Songs for Funerals
2021 - Scotland - National Youth Choir first, post-Covid performance - BBC TV
2021 - USA - IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Service, NY
2021 - USA - 9/11 - 20^th Anniv. Special, TV documentary - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
2021 – USA - Annual Tibet Fund Gala, ‘Kenbem’ (Creole version) – Malou Beauvoir

Brendan Graham 20 Sep 2017 Anita Kulo

The Journey in Sport

2004 - USA - Super Bowl - Josh Groban - NASA Tribute to Space Shuttle, Columbia.
2004 - USA - NBC TV - Theme for all Olympic Games Coverage.
2004 - USA - Inaugural Jackie Robinson Day, Baseball Hall of Famer, Shea Stadium.
2005 - USA - National Championships - Michelle Kwan, Gold Medal Exhibition Skate.
2006 - Australia - Commonwealth Games, Melbourne - Channel 9 TV wrap-up.
2006 - Italy - Winter Olympics, Shizuka Arakawa Gold Medal Exhibition Skate, Turin.
2006 - Northern Ireland - Special Olympics, Ireland Games, Belfast.
2006 - Seychelles - Special Olympics, Seventh National Games, Opening Ceremony.
2006 - UK - FIFA World Cup - Official CD.
2006 - USA - Reggie White, NFL Hall of Famer Story - DVD.
2007 - South Africa - Supersport, Rugby World Cup - South Africa – Victory video.
2008 – Australia - Rugby League’s State of Origin
2008 - China - Laureus World Sports Awards, Beijing.
2008 - Jamaica - Usain Bolt & Jamaican Olympians Official Homecoming Ceremony.
2009 - USA - Manny Pacquiao, 7th World Championship Boxing Title, Las Vegas.
2011 - China - Special Olympics Closing Ceremony, Beijing
2012 - Australia - Australian Women's Open Tennis Final, Melbourne.
2012 - UK - World Red Army - Tribute to Manchester United's Greatest - CD.
2012 - UK - You Raise Me Up Charity Concert - Juba Teaching Hospital, Sudan.
2013 - UK – England vs Australia Cricket Test – Trent Bridge
2014 - Korea - MBC’s 2014 World Cup Cheering Show (Lena Park)
2014 - UK - World Championship Snooker – The Crucible, Sheffield (Day 8)
2014 - USA - Carousel of Hope, Brass Ring Award to Lakers legend, Magic Johnson.
2015 - Italy - National Figure Skating Championships. Ivan Righini skates to Gold
2015 - New Zealand - World Cricket Championship - Opening Ceremony, Auckland.
2015 - Singapore - Southeast Asian Games - Opening Ceremony.
2016 - Slovakia - European Figure Skating Championships - Ivan Righini (Italy)
2016 - Slovakia - European Figure Skating Championships - Jorik Hendrickx
2016 - USA - World Championships - Evgenia Medvedeva - Gold Medal (Ex) Skate
2016 - USA - World Figure Skating Championships – Jorik Hendrickx (Belgium)
2016 - Estonia - National Championships. Helery Hälvin skates to Gold.
2016 - UK - UK Championships - Lilah Fear/Lewis Gibson Gold-winning Free Skate.
2017 - Czech Republic - European Figure Skating Championships - Helery Hälvin
2017 - Czech Republic - European Championships - Lilah Fear/Lewis Gibson (GB)
2017 - Finland - World Figure Skating Championships - Lilah Fear/Lewis Gibson.
2017 - Finland - World Figure Skating Championships - Helery Hälvin (Estonia).
2017 - USA - US Championships - Grant Hochstein, Pewter Medal - Exhibition Skate.
2017 - USA - World Equitation Championships - Gold, Sharon Witherspoon.
2018 - Australia - Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony.
2018 - Japan - Fantasy on Ice - Double Olympic Pairs Champions, Virtue & Moir.
2018 - Japan - Fantasy on Ice – World Champion, Carolina Kostner
2018 - Korea - Winter Olympics - North Korean Samjiyon (State) Orchestra.
2018 - Philippines – World Boxing Cares – Tuloy Foundation, Street Children Choir.
2020 - UK - World Darts Championship – Chengan Liu (walk-on song).

Westlife - You Raise Me Up (Official Video)

Quotes Along the Road

“I instantly fell in love with it… If I had to encapsulate what You Raise Me Up has that makes it so brilliant; the lyric is astoundingly beautiful and meaningful; musically it is so simple but it is deceptively simple - the melody is gorgeous… and the song, to me at least feels like it could go on a journey from beginning to end. It's darn near a perfect song.” - David Foster (2004) – Producer, Josh Groban, ‘You Raise Me Up’

“I've sung You Raise Me Up so many times - hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of times. You would think that I would just get tired of it, you know, as you do, after a while… and I never do. It holds so much meaning for me and hopefully for the fans. It's just one of those things no matter how many times you've sung it, it is always the same emotion… Whether it be with the resonance of 9/11 or the election or, how divided our country is right now, however you want to look at it, whenever you can find a song that just brings people together - it is just one of those songs that is magic live in concert.” - Josh Groban (2004)

“When 9/11 happened, I started to get letters from people in America, saying that they had heard the Secret Garden recording and they had started to play it at memorial services. It gave people a lot of permission to grieve. The song almost puts its arms around you and just comforts you in that way that music sometimes can do in a really magical way… It's that kind of song. It's a classic song now – even though it's in its infancy as a song'.” - Brian Kennedy (2004) – Vocalist on first recording with Secret Garden.

“We were in the very western part of China and as soon as we started to play the opening of You Raise Me Up, you can hear they know the song and are even trying to sing it.” - Fionnuala Sherry (2004) - Secret Garden.

“There was so much division in America… so much unhappiness… the war in Iraq… the problems that we had... our political race… Everyone was looking for something positive – there was so much negativity going on here – and I believe this song brought that to the American public… Without a doubt this song has touched the American people.” - Brian Avnet (2004) - Manager, Josh Groban.

“This amazing song touched my heart.” - Michelle Kwan (2006) - Five Times World Figure Skating Champion.

“You Raise Me Up is a remarkable song that has inspired millions around the world with its message of hope, strength and overcoming.” - Foundation for a Better Life (2008).

”Magnificently sung message of thanks to one's source of inspiration.” - LA Times.

“This song is so important to me. It gave me the courage to start a foundation called the Happy Hearts Fund. We rebuild schools after natural disasters. I would like to share the hope and inspiration I gathered from this song.” - Petra Nemcova (2011) – Supermodel/Founder, Happy Hearts Foundation

“What a great honor it was to record your beautiful song.” - Mack Wilberg (2011) - Music Director, Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

“Of all the songs which we've been rehearsing, You Raise Me Up seems to have struck a chord with our choir. One young girl who lost both mum and dad to AIDS a few years ago wrote me and said that when she sings it, she closes her eyes and imagines her parents lifting her up to become more. Others have spoken to me and shared, that they hum the tune when they're walking the many miles to collect water for their families.” - Maithri Goonetillecke (2012) - Director, Possible Dreams Choir, Swaziland.

“The relationship I have with God reminds me of a song called You Raise Me Up. The chorus ends with the words ‘You raise me up to more than I can be’. It's as though I've been supported or developed beyond my own abilities by a force external to anything within me.” - Sir John Houghton (2013) - Nobel Laureate - In the Eye of the Storm (Biography).

“One of the great inspirational numbers of our time, the poetic imagery of the text allows the piece to speak to many occasions both sacred and secular.” - J.W.Pepper, 2013

“Beautifully constructed, it works on several different levels: as a devotional love song, as a tribute to someone inspiring, and even as a hymn of faith in something bigger than ourselves.” - Readers Digest, Australia (2013) – ‘You Raise Me Up’ – Songs of Love and Inspiration (CD).

“You Raise Me Up is one of the most successful and far-reaching songs in the history of popular music.” - Roger Greenaway OBE (2014) - Songwriters Hall of Fame, Former Chairman PRS

“You Raise Me Up is that rarest of songs, which inspires people to play it and sing it, over and over, throughout their lives. Even rarer still, the song gets discovered, year after year, by each new generation, who are taken by its beauty and meaning. In the history of the music publishing business, very few songs have reached the artistic and commercial success of You Raise Me Up.” - Larry Morton (2015) - President Hal Leonard Corporation, Chairman of National Association of Music Merchants, USA

“You Raise Me Up has chalked up more plaudits and #1s than any other song in recent memory.” - Amazon Editorial Review

“With God all things are possible. I am reminded of this when I hear a song that is often sung in churches all over Texas. Its title: You Raise Me Up. “You raise me up so I can stand on mountains/ You raise me up to walk on stormy seas/ I am strong when I am on your shoulders/ You raise me up to more than I can be.” - Gregg Abbott (2015) – Governor of Texas – Inauguration Speech

“You Raise Me Up is one of the biggest songs of this century. The song has been covered more times, and in more languages, than any other song of its kind – and is one of the biggest copyrights of our time.” - Mark Wilkinson (2015) - President, Deutsche Grammophon.

“Once in a while, a special song emerges which gets noticed above the rest. You Raise Me Up is one such song that has entered the canon of popular music. It has circumnavigated the globe and been heard and performed by every conceivable race, colour and creed!” - Nigel Elderton (2015) - European President, Peermusic

“You Raise Me Up by Celtic Woman. I’m always in a relaxed state of mind but imagining great things.” - Masa Samurai (2016) - Japanese contemporary artist – describes her work ethic and inspiration in Japan Times

“You Raise Me Up is one of the best known songs in the world today, instantly recognized across all the continents.” - On Raglan Road: Great Irish Love Songs and the Women Who Inspired Them (2016) - Book by Gerald Hanberry

“A worldwide phenomenon… one of the most successful and frequently sung inspirational songs of the 21st century.” - Smash Hits – The 100 Songs That Defined America (2016) - Book by Prof. James E Peron

“You Raise Me Up, is one of the most inspiring and meaningful songs you can ever have in this Universe… the hopeless and helpless child takes that as the launching pad to success… the beautiful song says - they can cross mountains; they can cross the stormy seas in their lives; they can be better than ever we can imagine. That is the beauty of this song and it is the theme song of our Tuloy Foundation.” - Fr. ‘Rocky’ Marciano Evangelista (Philippines Tuloy Foundation for Street Children) – Recipient of Miss World Humanitarian Award, 2017

“Whenever I go to Tuloy and the children sing this song, I always end up crying.” - Stephanie Del Valle (Miss World, 2016) – Presenter, Miss World, 2017

“It is, by some distance, the biggest song of the 21st century to date.” - Hot Press 40th Anniversary Souvenir Edition (2017): Cultural Events That Changed the Face of Ireland

“Towards the end of his illness, as Chris O’Brien’s vision for Chris O’Brien Lifehouse was almost in reach, he told his wife Gail that You Raise Me Up embodied everything that he wanted the hospital to stand for. The hope and support that run through the lyrics were central for his vision of a cancer hospital that put the patient at the heart of it. Chris thought this song would make a beautiful anthem for the new cancer centre.” – Sanjay Warrier, Associate Professor, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Australia.

“One of the most important popular songs of the past 25 years, and the most recorded modern Irish song lyric of them all – so globally ubiquitous that it has even featured on a calendar in China!” - Hot Press Yearbook, 2018.

“My most personal experience with Aretha was singing with her for Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday concert at Radio City Music Hall. She wanted to do a duet of You Raise Me Up… On stage you quickly learn the most important lesson when doing a duet with Aretha Franklin - when her microphone goes up to her mouth, your microphone drops to the floor… I just let her do what she does best, and so well, and in the gaps in between I'd try to catch up… A dream duet you'll tell your grandkids about.” - Josh Groban (Billboard 27 Aug 2018)

“In many ways this song captures the spirit of community and charity that we’re celebrating in the many Irish people volunteering – all working on the front lines in France during the pandemic.” - Her Excellency, Patricia O’ Brien, Ambassador of Ireland to France (St Patrick’s Day, 2021)