Best National Anthem Of The WC...

by Guest Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:30 am

Has to, surely, be the Argentinians'? You think it's finished...and then they start singing! Brilliant, beats Forza Italia in the passion ranks, and that's no mean feat.

Willing to listen to other, more obscure suggestions, but I think that's the best I've heard so far. GSTQ really does come across as possibly the most boring national anthem, moreso than usual now it's on the world stage. Best and worst? Suggestions?

by HammerofThunor Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:02 am

I like the Russian one. Remind's me of the cold war. Happy days

by Gatts Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:43 am

HammerofThunor wrote:I like the Russian one. Remind's me of the cold war. Happy days

Yes it was great listening to the USA and Russian anthems together.

I would have to say the Welsh anthem is best in Cardiff, but I also love the French

by BigTrevsbigmac Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:10 am

Pre Sporting events I think you need a good tempo & for that Italy & France are perfect.

I really like the serenity & hymn like quality of the Japanese though....

by maestegmafia Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:10 am

I noticed this morning that the tune to South Africa's anthem is the same as the nursery rhyme "Incy Wincy Spider".

by **LondonTiger** Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:18 am

I love "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau".

At it's best, (in MS, started by a male voice choir, crowd joining in at the end of teh first verse - NEVER sung by Katherine Jenkins) it is spinetingling. Does not work quite so well out in NZ, but still magnificent.

Many other great anthems - Marseillaise, Russian - and the classic tin-pot dictator anthems of Italy and Argentina.

Less said about the dirges that are GSTQ & Flower of Scotland the better.

by Cari Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:18 am

maestegmafia wrote:I noticed this morning that the tune to South Africa's anthem is the same as the nursery rhyme "Incy Wincy Spider".

Seriously!? laughing

by Cari Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:21 am

Obviously I prefer my home nation's anthem, but I do like the Irish one as well, and I know the chorus. Flower of Scotland's good when they do it at Murrayfield with the pipers and the crowd join in.

I haven't heard the Russian one yet.

by Thomond Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:55 am

We don't play the Irish anthem away from home though. France and Argentina's for me.

by Knowsit17 Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:04 am

Not a fan of military anthems, though I'll concede the passion and pride belted out by the French and Italians turns me against my own standards somewhat.

For some reason I've been partial to the Romanian anthem since discovering it. The mourning and tragic-sounding melody mixed into it touches the heart imo.

Always enjoyed the Saffa anthem also.

by Breadvan Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:04 am

Italain, French ( Lord Nelson must be turning in his grave, sorry sir!) and Russian. Reminds me of the 'Hunt for red october' film. thumbsup

by deadgoat Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:48 am

maestegmafia wrote:I noticed this morning that the tune to South Africa's anthem is the same as the nursery rhyme "Incy Wincy Spider".

You sir, have officially blown my mind. I've been singing Nkosi Sikelela for years and never realised this

by **LondonTiger** Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:07 am

Cari wrote:" Flower of Scotland's good when they do it at Murrayfield with the pipers and the crowd join in."

.

But they play it so slow.

"Oh flower" pause
"of Scot" pause
"land" long pause
"when will" pause
"we see" pause
etc

by maestegmafia Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:10 am

deadgoat wrote:
maestegmafia wrote:I noticed this morning that the tune to South Africa's anthem is the same as the nursery rhyme "Incy Wincy Spider".

You sir, have officially blown my mind. I've been singing Nkosi Sikelela for years and never realised this

I was watching Wales SA with an American friend who decided he would support SA. He didn't know the anthem but wanted to sing along.

That's when we realised it was basically the same tune.

by welshy824 Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:35 am

welsh anthem all the way, irish one and scottish ones are pretty good aswell

by alcoombe Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:39 am

The French is the most stirring, but the Italian is the most fun. As someone else mentioned, the Japanese is a really nice piece, but the tranquility that makes it doesn't lend so well to motivating.

by Mr Fishpaste Sat Sep 17, 2011 1:48 pm

If you're keen for variation then Nkosi Sikelele Afrika is a clear winner: Two songs, four languages, two keys (and apparently a nursery rhyme) all rolled into one.

by Shifty Sat Sep 17, 2011 2:54 pm

I love the:
1) Japanease
2) Ukranian ( not at world cup, but listen to it)
3) Italy
4) France
5) Russia

Anthems in that order, the Japanease one is lovely when sung by a full stadium, though the Ukranian one is beautiful also, try finding it on you tube and you will see what I mean thumbsup

by Full Credit Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:03 pm

Not sure about the best but if Australia's 'girt by sea' isn't the worst I don't know what is. Just as I'm getting amped up before a match that dirge slams me right back down to earth. Always had a soft spot for the Welsh anthem.

by Guest Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:12 pm

Anthems are what the mute button is for. All of them.

Anthems are for people who like U2. Yuck.

by doctor_grey Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:29 pm

I like the French Anthem - blood in the streets and all that.

All the rest are simply way too long or not exciting.

by alcoombe Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:21 pm

La Marseillaise moves me more than most, but how can you say Il Canto degli Italiani is too long (90 seconds) or not exciting. Love the crescendo at the end, the Italians always look fired up when they sing/shout it.

We are ready to die,
Italy has called, yes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3RToBymttA

by Guest Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:22 am

I have to say Wales' is still my favourite, unsuprisingly, because it means so much. I also think the repeated cry of 'Gwlad' is unmatched in the passion ranks, and with the lyricism and beauty of the verse, it never fails to instil pride and excitement in me. But, obviously, I'm biased.

After the Welsh, I like the passion of the Latin nations, the tuneful anthems of Australia and NZ, the sheer melancholic solemnity of the Eastern European countries, and the Irish national anthem always seemed to me a perfect rallying cry, not far off the French, which in itself is brilliant.

Suppose it's all subjective; are you listening to the music, words, or relating the song to the abstract notion of nation and national pride...Gwlad...Gwlad... Cat

by Guest Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:23 pm

I think it's important to be able to speak the language of your anthem. Just shrieking phonetically like John Redwood (wearing a pink cowboy hat) is a bit poor.

by Cymroglan Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:37 pm

I would presume that John Redwood would know the words of his anthem since he is English and his first language being English.

by Guest Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:48 pm

Ah, but he sings the Welsh one like your average Welshman.

by Cymroglan Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:52 pm

Oh ok

by Guest Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:55 pm

No probs

He did used to be our man in Wales so it was in his best interests to fit in. When you're the one currently running the place you want to be like the locals.

by Cymroglan Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:00 pm

Oh ok

by Geordie Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:52 pm

Yuip gotta agree...the Russian is a quality piece of music.....

However for pure pride out there to fire you up...its gotta be the La Marseillaise. Sheer class.

Then you listen to our drudge that is GSTQ. Its the most uninspiring anthem at the WC.

by westisbest Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:22 pm

Canadian-South African-French ones are good.

Do like the aussie anthem to.

by Shifty Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:28 pm

The French one is nice but the words don't suit the country...

It's all very well talking about blood through the streets, but when the Germans passed though Belguim, it was Nazi flags marching through the streets, white flags on French houses, and 100,000 French hookers on the Paris streets taking advantage of the extra men in town.

Sorry but to sing that anthem with that blood lust is silly with their history... Shocked

by damage_13 Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:32 pm

I like the Italian anthem, its full of pomp and a bit revolutionary (like La Marseillaise, War Song of the Army of the Rhine).

The Celts sing of nothing but their solitary victory over England and while a good song, the Welsh Anthem is too emotional,witness the constant blubbering by the Welsh players every time its played (...hmm could be a good distracting tactic playing that while the game is in flow).

The Russian one is good.

This is the only thing pretty much all fans of all nations can agree on, the English are on a hiding to nothing with GSTQ.. turgid repetitive mush.

by damage_13 Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:33 pm

AlynDavies wrote:The French one is nice but the words don't suit the country...

It's all very well talking about blood through the streets, but when the Germans passed though Belguim, it was Nazi flags marching through the streets, white flags on French houses, and 100,000 French hookers on the Paris streets taking advantage of the extra men in town.

Sorry but to sing that anthem with that blood lust is silly with their history...

you obviously know nothing of their history then Rolling Eyes

apart from every time they met les rosbifs Wink

by Effervescing Elephant Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:34 pm

Italian for me. You can sing any lyrics at all and they fit. It's brilliant.

by formerly known as Sam Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:34 pm

Anthems are what the mute button is for. All of them

It's referred to as the 'Stuart Barnes button' in my house.

Italian anthem is way out in front, I'm bias and do quite like God Save the Queen but have never really got the fuss about the Welsh one though the players clearly get psyched up listening to it.

by Smirnoffpriest Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:38 pm

Obviously I'm going to say the Welsh one - i love it and it sends shivers down my spine and makes my heart swell when I hear it - especially if you listen to the words and the meaning of the song.

The Russian is very good, I like the Irish one and I despise the English one.
The Japanese (which I googled after someone on here mentioned it) is very pretty and poetic but not very inspiring.

by Smirnoffpriest Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:41 pm

And the French have had a pretty bloody history - especially sweeping across Europe (and bits of near Asia and Africa) during the Napoleonic War destroying everything - including the British army, in sight.

by brennomac Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:45 pm

Haven't seen the lead-up to all the games especially the ones starting at the crack of dawn so don't know what the Samoa/Tonga/Fiji/Romania/Georgia anthems sound like. But of the rest they're a real mixed bag

The spine-tingling: Land of our Fathers always makes the hair on the back of my neck tingle - absolutely inspiring except when sung by the Jenkins one
The bloodthirsty - Marseillaise and the real Irish anthem (replete with bullets and gunshot) instead of the dire Ireland's Call
The long and jolly - the Argie and Italy ditties - no sooner do you think they're over then they launch into a completely different tune. Seeing a grizzled old hunk like Ledesma and Castrogiavanni almost in tears - some sight
The politically correct - the SA song with words in 57 different languages. I know recent history dictates a certain level of pc but jeez changing language almost every line....The Spar-Spangled Banner - all that breast-beating hand over the heart stuff by the yanks - give me a break it's only a song but the yanks have to wrap themselves in the flag
The dirges - GSTQ,Flower of Scotland, the Aussie and NZ songs, the Canadian one(being married to a Canuck I've got to hear this monstrosity so many times.

by Shifty Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:06 pm

damage_13 wrote:you obviously know nothing of their history then

apart from every time they met les rosbifs

Most of the European Empires have spent their histories savaging each other, and other countries across the world, we still do it today!
But there is a reason the Union Jack is on many countries flags, and English is spoken by most countries as a second language, and why England had the largest empire in the known World, taking up one third of the land mass at one point!
Including Wales.. well someone has to pay for all those lazy, benefit scrounging tossers in Merthyr don't they... no offence of course... Whistle

by MunsterMac Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:08 pm

It's all very well talking about blood through the streets, but when the Germans passed though Belguim, it was Nazi flags marching through the streets, white flags on French houses, and 100,000 French hookers on the Paris streets taking advantage of the extra men in town.

Sorry but to sing that anthem with that blood lust is silly with their history

I think it's fair to say that had the UK a land border with Nazi Germany like Belguim and France your King would have had to get busy redecorating the Palace in black,red and yellow bunting to welcome the inlaws.

by doctor_grey Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:45 pm

MunsterMac wrote:
It's all very well talking about blood through the streets, but when the Germans passed though Belguim, it was Nazi flags marching through the streets, white flags on French houses, and 100,000 French hookers on the Paris streets taking advantage of the extra men in town.

Sorry but to sing that anthem with that blood lust is silly with their history

I think it's fair to say that had the UK a land border with Nazi Germany like Belguim and France your King would have had to get busy redecorating the Palace in black,red and yellow bunting to welcome the inlaws.

Or Ireland, mate? The benefit of being Island Nations.

The French Anthem comes from the Revolution, when Frenchmen were killing Frenchmen. Regardless, its still the most spine tingling for me - before Rugby matches, not going into battle. When I was serving, there were a lot of jokes about that.

The differences of opinion here is pretty interesting. I think across all the posts here there is at least one post liking and at least one post disliking each anthem. Although I don't think there is much enthusiasm for Australia's.

by Guest Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:42 pm

Wow, didn't take long for this to turn into idiotic nationalism. They say the chance of someone accusing someone else of being Hitler or an Nazi during an argument on the internet, if it goes on long enough, is 1 (certain).

We're onto Nazis already...come on lads. Just enjoy the music Whistle

by doctor_grey Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:53 pm

I think you"re reaching a bit with that, mate. We are all having a good discussion and a bit of a laugh. Just sit back and enjoy all seven verses of GSTQ.

by Cymroglan Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:02 pm

My Welsh pride,
I will not hide.
My Welsh race,
I will not disgrace.
My Welsh blood,
Flows hot & true.
My Welsh people,
I will stand by you.
Through thick & thin,
Until the day we die.
Our Welsh Flag.
Will Fly up High
For me there is only one Anthem that brings out all the emotions but I respect all the others.

by Shifty Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:23 pm

miaow wrote:Wow, didn't take long for this to turn into idiotic nationalism. They say the chance of someone accusing someone else of being Hitler or an Nazi during an argument on the internet, if it goes on long enough, is 1 (certain).

We're onto Nazis already...come on lads. Just enjoy the music

My bad

So we are at least agreed that Australia, Canada and USA have crap anthems? at least in comparison to some other countries ones anyway.

Russia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOAtz8xWM0w&feature=related thumbsup

by Guest Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:27 pm

Don't mind the Aussie anthem, it's quite tuneful, though it's a bit tame considering the country in question. You'd expect something with a bit more balls.

The American anthem is pretty funny. It is everything American, where the Aussie's anthem is not. Over the top, brash, embarrassingly uninhibited and, perhaps, lacking self perception. I'm not a massive fan, but it's alright, does the job.

Haven't heard the Canadian one.

by doctor_grey Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:46 pm

To me, the Aussie anthem is only good when sung by one of those pretty Aussie girls. I rather like the American anthem. If you actually listen to the words it is really just a poem put to music about a battle (against the British). Very descriptive, no chest pounding at all, no blood in the streets:
"The rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air" British ships bombarding Baltimore (I think).

by hawalsh Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:39 am

Definitely the Italian one. It's the sort of anthem you can joyfully sing (mumble) along with waving a stein brimming with beer about in the air. Love it when in Italy everyone starts clapping along towards the end then shouts hey as it finishes. A proper knees up anthem.

by boomeranga Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:55 am

HammerofThunor wrote:I like the Russian one. Remind's me of the cold war. Happy days

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