Pokémon 2: The Power Of One (Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture) / Atlantic Audio CD 2000 / 7567-83370-2

UPC 07567-83370-24

"The Power of One" is a 2000 song composed by Mervyn Warren and Mark Chait. It was performed by Donna Summer and is the theme song for the movie Pokémon: The Movie 2000. Pokémon: The Movie 2000, subtitled The Power of One, was released in late 1999 and was the second feature-length film based on the Japanese Pokémon video game series. It was also heard in the trailers for all 3 of the Kids WB released films.

The song was released on July 11, 2000 as the first single from Pokémon 2000 soundtrack album by Atlantic Records and Warner Bros. Records. It was produced by renowned music producer David Foster. Summer and Foster had previously collaborated in 1996 on the song "Whenever There Is Love," the theme to the Sylvester Stallone film Daylight.

"The Power of One" was included as track 1 on the soundtrack album and was released as two different CD singles in the United States. A number of dance remixes by Jonathan Peters and Tommy Musto were also issued on vinyl to nightclub DJs. Following 1999's "I Will Go with You (Con te partirò)" and "Love Is the Healer" which both topped the US Hot Dance Club Play chart that year, the club remix of "The Power of One" became another dancefloor success for Summer, peaking at #2 on the same chart in 2000. The 4-track remix CD was released on October 31 in the same year.

The song's lyrics were quoted numerous times by 2012 Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, including at the August 11 Republican debate. Cain has attributed the lyrics to "a poet" and has incorrectly referred to "The Power of One" as "the closing song to the 2000 Olympics." The song is not included in the music list for the 2000 Olympics' closing ceremony.

While the inclusion of novelty songster Weird Al Yankovic (here with "Polkamon") and new-waver all-stars the B-52's (here with the playful "The Chosen One") sharpens the proceedings with their individual visions, most of the performers here have been coached by producer David Foster or other music industry veterans. Most successful is former disco diva Donna Summer, who emerges with the dramatic tune "The Power of One," which sneakily includes the Pokémon theme featured throughout the film. Twelve-year-old Alysha may be a burgeoning teen star with her surprisingly mature interpretation of "Dreams." The emphasis is on the current teen-pop trend. Dream Street, Christian boy band Plus One, and O-Town (the band documented in ABC's TV series Making the Band) all serve up the prescribed recipe for success: swooning harmonies, Hallmark-card lyrics, and near-operatic melodies designed for radio. You expected a movie starring Pokémon to miss a trend? C'mon. --Rob O'Connor