h a l f b a k e r yWhy did I think of that?
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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.
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]
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"Things Can Only get Better"? Oh no, they tried that one in 1997... |
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"Won't Get Fooled Again", or maybe "Just another Brick In The Wall" ? |
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Do you think that 'Flower of Scotland' should be replaced? |
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By "Donald wheres your troosers?" ? |
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Did somebody say *Polka*?! |
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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. |
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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. |
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"Won't Get Fooled Again", or maybe "Just another Brick In The Wall" ??? |
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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. |
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Finland should adopt the default Nokia phone ring-tone. It is lively and is heard around the world millions of times per day. |
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.... 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 ..... |
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[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. |
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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. |
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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: |
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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. |
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How about "Livin' in America" by the Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown? |
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I've always thought the macarena had a quiet dignity about it. |
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"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. |
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For the USA, I would suggest Weird Al's "Eat It!". |
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Every country? I think the US's Star Spangled Banner is quite inspirational and far from dull. |
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Some say the tune was originally a drinking song! |
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I suppose our anthem here in the states is inspirational, if songs about flags get you going. . . |
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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. |
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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'. |
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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"). |
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I thought you might go for 'Parcel of Rogues'. |
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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.) |
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That's bizarre. "Louie Louie" is a Jamaican sailing song. I suppose it could apply to Washington... |
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// A Man's A Man for A' That // |
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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? |
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Sorry it took so long waugs - see link. |
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[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. |
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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]. |
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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. |
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I like the UK anthem because it's short.
Do you know what it's like to sit through two versions of Oh Canada? |
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