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Lively National Anthems

National Anthems that don't want to make you top yourself
 
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Why does every country on the globe have to sit through these dreary compositions on state occassions? Whenever one of your nation's athletes triumphs at the olympics, why are they assailed by some ghastly dirge as they mount the podium - why must their bubble of personal joy and achievement be pricked by the dull pin of tedium?

We could all do with a bit less nationalism in the 21st century, but if we must persist with that 18th century mindset, could we not make something jolly and energetic of it?

Obviously, difficult material such as Rotterdam speed-house, drum 'n' bass and German electronica would alienate the more conservative members of the popualtion, but surely everybody would benefit from a dose of 'The Sun Has Got His Hat On' as a smiling president or prime minister steps off the plane and makes his way to the economic summit?

Perhaps this idea has been baked in some obscure countries, but I haven't ever heard any anthem that makes me feel more than bored, depressed or vaguely pompous.

Ventilator, Jan 31 2003

New national anthem for the UK http://www.halfbake...em_20for_20the_20UK
by dare99. Similar, yet different. [my face your, Oct 17 2004]

A Man's A Man http://www.scotsher...ns/poems/a_man2.htm
With English translation for the Scots-impaired. [my face your, Oct 17 2004]

[link]






       "Things Can Only get Better"? Oh no, they tried that one in 1997...
LittleMissLoopy, Jan 31 2003
  

       "Won't Get Fooled Again", or maybe "Just another Brick In The Wall" ?
8th of 7, Jan 31 2003
  

       Do you think that 'Flower of Scotland' should be replaced?   

       By "Donald wheres your troosers?" ?
Jinbish, Jan 31 2003
  

       Did somebody say *Polka*?!
thumbwax, Jan 31 2003
  

       Some make me giggle - for example, the Italian and Brazilian national anthems, broadcast every time Shumacher or Barrichello won an F1 race. Actually, come to think of it, they got a bit tedious with all that repetition last year.
PeterSilly, Jan 31 2003
  

       That's a good point. I hate sport almost as much as I despise nationalism, but the sight of the Scottish Rugby team (and Princess Anne) standing in silence while 'Donald Where's Your Troosers' is sung by all present at Murrayfield would cause even my chest to swell with national pride.
Ventilator, Jan 31 2003
  

       "Won't Get Fooled Again", or maybe "Just another Brick In The Wall" ???   

       These are supposed to be National Anthems that DONT make you want to top yourself. Which also rules out nu-metal and anything by the Smiths or Morrisey.
LittleMissLoopy, Jan 31 2003
  

       Finland should adopt the default Nokia phone ring-tone. It is lively and is heard around the world millions of times per day.
krelnik, Jan 31 2003
  

       .... at which point all the other countries in the movie theatre get up out of their seats and beat Finland to death with their umbrellas .....
8th of 7, Jan 31 2003
  

       [thumbwax] The Polka which was used as the Monty Python theme would make a good anthem.
Using the Archers music has been suggested by someone, but I can't remember who.
hippo, Jan 31 2003
  

       Billy Connolly via me
po, Jan 31 2003
  

       Without wishing to sound pedantic (but I am a Sousa fan), the Python theme referred to above was in fact his 'Liberty Bell'... just wanted to get in there before anyone else. Dunno if you could Polka to it or not.
Ventilator, Jan 31 2003
  

       I've always wanted the U.S.'s national anthem to be changed to Martha and the Vandella's "Dancing in the Street" Here's why I think it's the most suitable choice:   

       Callin' out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancin' in the streets
They're dancin' in Chicago
Down in New Orleans
Up in New York City

All we need is music, sweet music
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swingin', swayin' and records playin'
And dancin' in the streets

Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on, every guy grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
There'll be dancin'
They're dancin' in the street

This is an invitation
Across the nation
A chance for the folks to meet
There'll be laughin' and singin' and music swingin'
And dancin' in the streets

etc.
I'm serious about this.
snarfyguy, Jan 31 2003
  

       How about "Livin' in America" by the Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown?
krelnik, Jan 31 2003
  

       I've always thought the macarena had a quiet dignity about it.
sambwiches, Jan 31 2003
  

       "Liberty Bell" as with (not surprisingly) most Sousa marches is staffed in 6/8 time. Unless you have three legs, I think it would be quite difficult to march to a polka, or vice versa.
X2Entendre, Jan 31 2003
  

       For the USA, I would suggest Weird Al's "Eat It!".
DrBob, Jan 31 2003
  

       Every country? I think the US's Star Spangled Banner is quite inspirational and far from dull.   

       Some say the tune was originally a drinking song!
mayan, Jan 31 2003
  

       I suppose our anthem here in the states is inspirational, if songs about flags get you going. . .
notme, Jan 31 2003
  

       For the US national anthem I was going to whimsically suggest "French kissing in the USA" (Debbie Harry) or "Kids in America" (Kim Wilde), but then I thought, seriously, "This Land is Our Land" (Woody Guthrie) would make a great anthem.

Thanks [po] - the other tune I've heard a comedian use for an invented British anthem is the Match Of The Day theme, but I can't remember who did this either. I just Googled a bit to try and find out who it was and was led straight back to me asking the same question in the dup of this idea which [face] has linked to, above.
hippo, Feb 01 2003
  

       I'm with [mayan] re the Star-Spangled Banner. I also like 'Advance, Australia Fair' and 'Oh, Canada'. My own national anthem is hugely dull by comparison,and I'd prefer Blake's 'Jerusalem'.
angel, Feb 01 2003
  

       Well, we can't have Jerusalem for Scotland, can we? So we'll have A Man's A Man for A' That (as sung at the opening of the Scottish "Parliament").
my face your, Feb 01 2003
  

       I thought you might go for 'Parcel of Rogues'.
angel, Feb 01 2003
  

       Several years back (read: 1985) there was a movement to change Washington's state song from 'Washington, My Home' to 'Louie, Louie'. Likely to one of the non-obscene versions :-) Insofar as I have lived two decades in Washington and never yet heard the current state song, I'd welcome a little infusion of liveliness. (Incidentally, we do have a state folk song: 'Roll On, Colombia, Roll On' -- by the venerable Woody Guthrie, no less. Step in the right direction, I suppose.)
eritain, Feb 21 2003
  

       That's bizarre. "Louie Louie" is a Jamaican sailing song. I suppose it could apply to Washington...   

       // A Man's A Man for A' That //   

       calum, forgive my ignorance, I'm completely unfamiliar with the tune. But I want to ask you about that title.. what the heck does it mean?
waugsqueke, Feb 21 2003
  

       Sorry it took so long waugs - see link.
my face your, Mar 02 2003
  

       [waugsqueke] The reason for "Louie, Louie" is because it became very popular in the Northwest, and the two bands most closely associated with it were from the region. But AFAIK it's not really Jamaican. Richard Berry, the songwriter, was from LA.
cpt kangarooski, Oct 16 2003
  

       Allmusic.com says it was based on "El Loca Cha Cha" by Rene Touzet, but I don't know what that is. You'll have to ask [thumbwax].
snarfyguy, Oct 16 2003
  

       I love the National Anthem of the UK. I am an american and i feel a certain connection to the UK because it is a place of my ancesstary. I feel that the UK is the greatest nation on earth and has the most triaumphant of national anthems. I do like the US anthem but i prefer America the Beautiful rather than it.
JoeLounsbury, Feb 12 2004
  

       I like the UK anthem because it's short. Do you know what it's like to sit through two versions of Oh Canada?
WordUp, Jun 19 2004
  
      
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