" Australia's is the worst, hands down. Anybody heard the translated Chinese national anthem? That one is insane. "
Is it worse than New Zealand's? (I know you Aussies don't consider New Zealand a country anyway, but just pretend.) I had to learn it when I lived there as a kid... for two years. You had to sing the same thing in two languages, English and Maori. Every assembly, every Rugby game, God I hate... No, I actually kinda like it, in a weird way.
Edit: Just listened on youtube, you're right, it's terrible. Sorry.
@pbhawks45: I think being easier to sing is the biggest thing going for it. Compared to other countries' anthems, the Star Spangled Banner requires a ridiculously wide vocal range to even get the note--I love being in a crowd when they get to the "land of the free." It always makes me wince a little bit.
The only reason most Americans know it is because we've heard it so many times it's become familar. I've had to teach it to a bunch of kids before who'd never really sung it and it was a real grind. These kids could learn 18th century choral pieces with strong melodies no problem, but the anthem was an issue because it doesn't exactly act the way a normal ear would expect it to.
@ATrevelan: Agree with you completely. But, when a singer has the talent/vocal range to pull it off, it's simply amazing to listen to. I thought both Jordin Sparks and Jennfier Hudson both did really good jobs singing the anthem in the past few Super Bowls. And while a little rougher, I really liked Demi Lovato's rendition during the Cowboys/Seahawks thanksgiving game a few years back. For someone who was 15 at the time, she was awesome.
" Australia's is the worst, hands down. Anybody heard the translated Chinese national anthem? That one is insane. "
Is it worse than New Zealand's? (I know you Aussies don't consider New Zealand a country anyway, but just pretend.) I had to learn it when I lived there as a kid... for two years. You had to sing the same thing in two languages, English and Maori. Every assembly, every Rugby game, God I hate... No, I actually kinda like it, in a weird way. Edit: Just listened on youtube, you're right, it's terrible. Sorry. "
Yep, your's is miles better. A lot of people say how bad their's is and that they need a new one, but Australia actually needs a new one.
I for one think "I am Australian" by the Seekers would be the best;
Jimi Hendrix's rendition of the song is the best. Also, loving the Star Spangled Banner is just one of those things that means a lot more to Americans that take pride in their country. And even though we've done some terrible shit, there is still a lot to love about this country, just like most all other countries.
Also, maybe you haven't heard the right person sing the Star Spangled Banner. Give this a listen. It's got an alternative set of lyrics that some may connect with better. Brings a tear to my eye.
@Feanor: The American National Anthem is one of my favourites, what I don't like is how it's been hi-jacked as the song any soulful diva has to sing and which one can hold the longest notes, etc. A countries anthem should be something everyone can sing along to, not watch a singer perform it
The American national anthem sounds fine when it is played by a band. It sounds horrific when it's sung by a lone singer who extends all of the words way too long.
Also, as someone from England, I'm obliged to feel insulted when you sing about killing my ancestors, just like the Scottish are obliged to feel insulted when we sing about killing them in our national anthem (not that we ever do but never mind). I'm not insulted, it's just funny to troll people watching Nascar online in a chatroom.
" The Star Spangled Banner is kind of a lame national anthem. Plus its not even really an American song, its ripped off of an old British drinking song. I think we should come up with something new, and a little more bad ass. I mean look at Russias national anthem, now thats how you do it. If we had a national anthem like that we wouldn't have to worry about horrible pop singers ruining it before every sporting event. Hell, Canada has a better national anthem than we do. "
Okay, dude. You're crazy.
"O Canada. We Stand on guard for thee. True patriot love, in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts, we see thee rise. The true North strong and free. From far and wide, O Canada. We stand on guard for thee. God keep our land Glorious and Free. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee."
versus
"O say can you see? By the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed, at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there. O say does that star spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?"
Like dude, your anthem talks about the light of explosions being shed on your flag as proof your nation stood strong against the British Empire. Your anthem talks about a existential struggle to declare one's own identity, as distinct from the old yoke of Europe. MY country's anthem, on the other hand tells you three times that Canadians will stand on guard for, well, Canada. Doesn't seem so objectionable, does it? No, it doesn't, but it's also not very poetic.
Also, the rest of your anthem is pretty badass too. The Canadian anthem may be many things, but one thing it is not is 'badass'.
" The Star Spangled Banner is kind of a lame national anthem. Plus its not even really an American song, its ripped off of an old British drinking song. I think we should come up with something new, and a little more bad ass. I mean look at Russias national anthem, now thats how you do it. If we had a national anthem like that we wouldn't have to worry about horrible pop singers ruining it before every sporting event. Hell, Canada has a better national anthem than we do. "
Okay, dude. You're crazy. "O Canada. We Stand on guard for thee. True patriot love, in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts, we see thee rise. The true North strong and free. From far and wide, O Canada. We stand on guard for thee.God keep our land Glorious and Free. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee." versus "O say can you see? By the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed, at the twilight's last gleaming?Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fightO'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there. O say does that star spangled banner yet waveO'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?" Like dude, your anthem talks about the light of explosions being shed on your flag as proof your nation stood strong against the British Empire. Your anthem talks about a existential struggle to declare one's own identity, as distinct from the old yoke of Europe. MY country's anthem, on the other hand tells you three times that Canadians will stand on guard for, well, Canada. Doesn't seem so objectionable, does it? No, it doesn't, but it's also not very poetic. Also, the rest of your anthem is pretty badass too. The Canadian anthem may be many things, but one thing it is not is 'badass'. "
" The Star Spangled Banner is kind of a lame national anthem. Plus its not even really an American song, its ripped off of an old British drinking song. I think we should come up with something new, and a little more bad ass. I mean look at Russias national anthem, now thats how you do it. If we had a national anthem like that we wouldn't have to worry about horrible pop singers ruining it before every sporting event. Hell, Canada has a better national anthem than we do. "
Okay, dude. You're crazy. "O Canada. We Stand on guard for thee. True patriot love, in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts, we see thee rise. The true North strong and free. From far and wide, O Canada. We stand on guard for thee.God keep our land Glorious and Free. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee." versus "O say can you see? By the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed, at the twilight's last gleaming?Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fightO'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there. O say does that star spangled banner yet waveO'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?" Like dude, your anthem talks about the light of explosions being shed on your flag as proof your nation stood strong against the British Empire. Your anthem talks about a existential struggle to declare one's own identity, as distinct from the old yoke of Europe. MY country's anthem, on the other hand tells you three times that Canadians will stand on guard for, well, Canada. Doesn't seem so objectionable, does it? No, it doesn't, but it's also not very poetic. Also, the rest of your anthem is pretty badass too. The Canadian anthem may be many things, but one thing it is not is 'badass'. "
It's all about context...
"
Yeah, that kind of uproarious crowd support is a great motivator. Landed you guys the number 1 overall draft pick! Wait a minute...
You put virtually any anthem in the context of a large sporting event and they're all pretty epic. Nothing quite like singing your national anthem with thousands of your fellow countryman.
" Hooray for idiot trolls dismissing the anthems of nations just to be disagreeable! everyone has their own opinion, i personally get the same vibe from hearing all national anthems. poster is obviously a troll, thread should be locked "
4th of July was only yesterday, people still feel like bashing America. Oh wait, people always feel like bashing America. We can't have one day can we?
" Hooray for idiot trolls dismissing the anthems of nations just to be disagreeable! everyone has their own opinion, i personally get the same vibe from hearing all national anthems. poster is obviously a troll, thread should be locked "
4th of July was only yesterday, people still feel like bashing America. Oh wait, people always feel like bashing America. We can't have one day can we? "
Is saying you think the overly wrought national anthem is well, overly wrought really bashing America? I love America! But there's a reason no one ever sings the other verses because yikes.
i've never been particularly patriotic, or served in the military. but when i hear the star spangled banner i put my hand over my heart and sing the lyrics. we have an awesome national anthem!
" Hooray for idiot trolls dismissing the anthems of nations just to be disagreeable! everyone has their own opinion, i personally get the same vibe from hearing all national anthems. poster is obviously a troll, thread should be locked "
4th of July was only yesterday, people still feel like bashing America. Oh wait, people always feel like bashing America. We can't have one day can we? "
Is saying you think the overly wrought national anthem is well, overly wrought really bashing America? I love America! But there's a reason no one ever sings the other verses because yikes. "
I just wanted an excuse to express my frustration.
" Hooray for idiot trolls dismissing the anthems of nations just to be disagreeable! everyone has their own opinion, i personally get the same vibe from hearing all national anthems. poster is obviously a troll, thread should be locked "
4th of July was only yesterday, people still feel like bashing America. Oh wait, people always feel like bashing America. We can't have one day can we? "
Is saying you think the overly wrought national anthem is well, overly wrought really bashing America? I love America! But there's a reason no one ever sings the other verses because yikes. "
I just wanted an excuse to express my frustration. "
Fair enough! And you know why you get to do that? CAUSE FREEDOM AND BBQ SAUCE MOTHERFUCKERS. SUCK IT. etcetcetc
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