Launched today by Warner Music Australia, “Higher” represents a unique collaboration between the Australian music industry and Australian Olympic athletes, who had key input into the songs theme, structure and lyrical content.

The song was performed for the first-time last night (Saturday July 29th) by Jessica Mauboy at the Prime Minister’s Olympic and Paralympic Dinner in Melbourne.

“Higher” was written by Melbourne songwriter Shannon Busch and songwriter/producer Stephen Mowat with Jess Mauboy laying down the vocals in Sydney in late May this year with Simon Cohen of Studios 301. Under the guidance of Executive Producer Will Hyde and Warner Music Australia A&R Marcus Thaine, Mowat then finalized production and Cohen mixed and mastered the song.

The session capped off a unique year long process to realise the final tune after ongoing advice and guidance from members of the AOC Athletes’ Commission.

Cate Campbell, Chair of the Athletes’ Commission says the process was led by the song’s executive producer Will Hyde and industry collaborators Sky McElroy of Pack and strategist Samuel Koh of Kohlver who used their relationships in the Australian music industry to bring the idea to life.

“I would like to acknowledge the absolute passion of Will who brought the concept of a Team song to the AOC with the idea that Olympians could play a key role in determining the connection between the tune and the hopes, desires and journeys of Olympic athletes.”

“Between Will, the team at Pack and the Athletes’ Commission, we wanted a song that could:

• Motive the Team
• Rally the public around the Team
• Reflect the Team’s passion, pride and determination and
• Uphold Olympic culture and values

“And of course, Jessica Mauboy coming in to record this was the absolute icing on the cake. We are so proud to have her embrace the concept and give it her all. What a voice and what a song!”

Along the way, many of Australia’s leading songwriters and artists developed different ideas based on a set of criteria developed by Will Hyde and his team and the AOC Athletes’ Commission.

The teams collaborated through a series of workshops.

Ultimately, Shannon Busch and Stephen Mowat landed “Higher” with Will Hyde as executive producer.

Cate Campbell: “Lyrically it speaks to the reality of an Olympian’s path to the Games and melodically, it’s a killer track. It’s uplifting and a great chorus – I can just see our Olympic athletes in Paris belting this out, some better than others.

“Some of the other tunes that we provided feedback on were also amazing. We need to keep them in our back pocket, but Stephen and Shannon have given us a gift that I know our athletes will love.

Chef de Mission Anna Meares also played a key role in the group that guided the development of the song.

“It didn’t take me long to go from slightly hesitant to eager contributor and all in. The song needed to be authentic if athletes were going to connect with it. “Higher” struck a chord from the outset.

“Being able to influence the creative process was something very different for us all and gave a great insight to the work behind the scenes to the art of music creation, much like the hard work not seen behind the scenes for an athlete preparing for the Olympics.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun taking this song to Paris and seeing how our Team members respond. Congratulations to Steven, Will and of course Jess Mauboy whose stunning vocals sealed the deal as far as I’m concerned,” Ms Meares said.

Jessica Mauboy says: “It’s an absolute honour to lend my voice in support of our incredible Aussie athletes. 'Higher' captures the spirit and energy of our amazing team, and I know I speak for all Aussies when I say we are thrilled to celebrate their dedication, passion, and the pride they bring to us all,” she said.

"Higher" is set for release on Thursday, July 11 and is available to pre-order / pre-save now via Warner Music Australia. https://jessicamauboy.lnk.to/Higher

“Warner Music is proud to celebrate the dedication and spirit of our Olympians with the Australian Team song “Higher” says Dan Rosen, Warner Music Australasia President.

“Jessica Mauboy’s soaring vocals deliver an inspiring song for our athletes as they go for gold at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.”

Singer/songwriter Will Hyde’s combined love of Olympic sport and music turned an ambitious idea into a passion project.

“Growing up playing sport at a young age, I always wished of being a part of the Olympics in some way. With the idea of creating a song that can unite the Australian Olympic team, my hope is that it also resonates with so many people out there that feel inspired by the Olympic movement and the athletes - those past, present and future.

“I think that’s what makes “Higher” so special - it really does feel like an extension of the team and has remained true to that throughout the whole process.  Stephen Mowat & Shannon Busch did an incredible job to bring the vision of the athletes to life & Jessica Mauboy does what she always does - sing her heart out in the most effortless way. It really came together exactly how it was meant to,” he said.

Shannon Busch is published by Concord Music Group and Mowat is published by Mushroom Music Group. Both are managed by Andy Kelly, director of Winterman & Goldstein Management. The initial version of “Higher” was pitched to Will Hyde and Pack by Mowat’s publishing team, Erol Yurdagul, Julian McGruther, and Layne Buckley of Mushroom Music Group. Dan Rosen, Libby Blakey, and Emily Crews of Warner Music Australia were instrumental in securing the song’s release.

“Higher” will again be performed live by Jess Mauboy in Paris when Anna Meares announces the two Flag Bearers for the Australian Olympic Team on Wednesday 24 July.

Jessica Mauboy has achieved 7 x Top 10 Albums, 15 x Top 20 Singles, 4 x ARIA Platinum selling albums, 31 x ARIA Nominations and #1 records on both the ARIA Singles and Album charts. Jessica Mauboy has toured with Beyonce, performed for Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, and made history as the first non-European solo artist to represent Australia at Eurovision in 2014.

"Higher" Lyrics

Verse 1
It’s been a long time coming
Many trials along the way
I know you feel the weight in each heavy step you take
Are you deserving?
Are you finally here?
Was it all worth it?
The nights that you ended up in tears

Pre
But you keep running, running, running
I can see determination in your eyes
I can feel it coming, coming, coming
And no matter what together we will rise

Chorus 1
We'll take it higher and higher
Always beside ya
Show me you're a fighter
And even if we fall
We’re burning with a fire that won’t fade away
Keep it burning on and on and on (we’ll take it higher)
Keep it burning on and on and on (we’ll take it higher)
Keep it burning on and on and on (we’ll take it higher)
Keep it burning on and on and on

Verse 2
And in your darkest hour
When all hope seems out of sight
Buried within you
A flame that is ready to ignite
Through every struggle
Every doubt you face
Believe you are worthy
I know you will leave a lasting trace (yeah)

Pre
And we’ll keep running, running, running
When the quiet comes and bright lights fade away
Keep pushing on and on and on
Always ready for whatever comes our way, yeah

Chorus 2
We'll take it higher and higher
Always beside ya
Show me you're a fighter
And even if you fall
It'll be another lesson learned
Together we're gonna stand up
Side by side now
With hearts ignited
No we won't break down
And even if we fall
We're burning with a fire that won't fade away

Keep it burning on and on and on (we’ll take it higher)
Keep it burning on and on and on (we’ll take it higher)
Keep it burning on and on and on (we’ll take it higher)
Keep it burning on and on and on