Olympic pairs skating just got so hardcore and the internet is here for it.
France’s Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres performed to the metal band Disturbed’s take on Simon and Garfunkel’s classic “Sound of Silence” at the free skating event and it elicited some truly excellent internet reactions.
The pair, who won the bronze medal at the 2017 European Championships, finished sixth place in the team event short program with a score of 75.34. It was enough to advance them to the medal round. But perhaps most importantly, the duo won over the internet with how they epitomized elegance to a surprisingly hard-hitting track.
It’s the go-to song for the pair, who have been skating together since 2010. They also used the song for their free skate last year. “It was our coaches who found it,” James told the Associated Press about the song. “They were like, ‘We really think it could be a hit.’”
This marks the first Olympics where competitors can skate to songs with lyrics. The use of popular music is helping viewers connect even more with what’s already one of the most popular sports of the Winter Games.
See the best reactions to the pair below.
French Pairs skaters' performance to Sound of Silence cover by Disturbed took my breath away #OLYMPICS
— Anne Heitmann (@ARHeitmann) February 15, 2018
I am deeply enchanted by the French pair skating team. Vanessa James is stunningly beautiful. Plus, they just skated to Disturbed.
— Meredith Hershey (@TheFakeGeekGal) February 15, 2018
French figure skating pair, skating to Disturbed’s cover for The Sound of Silence made my life.
— ??Dixie??Spice?? (@spice_dixie) February 15, 2018
Just watched French pairs skaters skate to @Disturbed sound of silence. What?!? Hard Rock music is taking taking over the #2018WinterOlympics. Love it!!!
— Renee Sandler Krane (@ReneeKrane) February 15, 2018
YOO THE FRENCH SKATED TO THE SOUND OF SILENCE YESSS
— Pillsbury Swoleboy (@YoungMexi3) February 15, 2018
The French pair is skating to #Disturbed and I AM HERE FOR IT! #Olympics
— LCM (@SCLCPrez) February 15, 2018
I've fallen in love with this French ice skating couple, James/Cipres. I can't take my eyes off of them when they skate. They might not be the best technically, but they definitely have the best taste. WHY DO I LOVE THE #OLYMPICS SO MUCH?!?!?
— alisonhaislip (@alisonhaislip) February 15, 2018
Wait is anyone else watching this French pair skate to a cover of "Sound of Silence" by @Disturbed
— Andrea Domanick (@AndreaDomanick) February 15, 2018
THIS TEAM IS SKATING TO DISTURBED IS THIS REAL LIFE
— Christine Rousselle ??????????? (@crousselle) February 15, 2018
The year is 2018 and @Disturbed cover of Sound of Silence was just used by the French pair's free skate in the Olympics. What a time to be alive!
— Zane ???? (@IamWizardOfWazz) February 15, 2018
I am deeply enchanted by the French pair skating team. Vanessa James is stunningly beautiful. Plus, they just skated to Disturbed.
— Meredith Hershey (@TheFakeGeekGal) February 15, 2018
I’ve loved Disturbed for AGES! Never thought to combine w figure skating. Classic! Viva la France ????????
— Jackie Olson (@Drone832) February 15, 2018
France is Figure skating to @Disturbed version of Sound of Silence
— Paul Joyce (@PaulJoyceUK) February 15, 2018
Amazing#OlympicWinterGames #OlympicGames2018
YES France figure skating using @Disturbed #soundofsilence is suddenly making me French!!! #amazingsong #thatvoice #sexy #OlympicGames2018
— Kressida Woolacott (@KressidaW) February 15, 2018
#Olympics2018
— Maria (@BeBraveAndTrue) February 15, 2018
LOVED France’s Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres’ performance!
Particularly approved of the choice of music: Disturbed’s haunting rendition of “The Sound of Silence.”
What a stunning job, Vanessa and Morgan! ?? pic.twitter.com/SgLsMHttiU
Listen for yourself below.
Don’t expect all pop hits at the rink in Pyeongchang. Fan favorites like France’s Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron plan to perform to “Moonlight Sonato.”Wint
