Favourite national anthems?

I was just wondering if anyone else were interested in national anthems? My personal favourites would be Japan, Taiwan, Laos, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, France, Central African Republic and China.

Yeah... hard to narrow down to favorites though. Too many countries. A selection: Russia, France, Poland (it's a mazurka - does any other country have a dance as a national anthem?), Portugal, South Korea, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, South Africa, Senegal, United Arab Emirates, Australia, United States (even if the melody was once a drinking song)...

Interestingly enough, I think I just listed all four national anthems in Group D of the 2002 World Cup... but that's not relevant, is it?

Hmm... England's. Heard it at the world cup.

DEUTSCHLAND!

France.

I was just wondering if anyone else were interested in national anthems? My personal favourites would be Japan, Taiwan, Laos, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, France, Central African Republic and China.

You must be big into modality...France's is, if memory serves, the only western-sounding one in the bunch.

I'm with Caltech on a couple: Poland and Portugal. Greece is pretty neat, too. Canada and Finland are also faves.

And I don't really care how politically incorrect it is: I can't listen to the national anthem of my own native United States without getting misty. People bag on it because it's so rangy, and because it's martial. The poem underlying it isn't just about war, folks; it's about a foreign power trying to take our freedom from us by force while our nation was still in its infancy, not knowing whether they would succeed or not...and by the light of the early morning finding that despite their most terrifying efforts - even burning our own capital city - they failed to subjugate us. That's what "The Star Spangled Banner" is about.

Have you ever read the french anthem's lyrics?... It's a bloodbath!! :)

Well, here it is, a shortened version of Berlioz's orchestration of the french national anthem, La Marseillaise. ^^

France.

I totally agree - the French has everything: memorable tune, drama, thoughtful middle section, bombastic finale!

I like national anthems to sound like the nation: that's why Japan and Vietnam are favourites, and Iran and Czech Republic are not.

France's sucks! GERMANY! Deutschland, Deutschland

I only know four national anthems: USA, Canada, France, and England. Of the four, I'd probably pick England. God save the Queen!

I've always liked Eritrea, Liberia and Hungary.

Potugal all the way. There are many great national anthems, but Portugal is the only magical one.

That's because you're portuguese, it's only natural...

Although it doesn't happen with me. :P

Check out the Uruguayan one. Not bad for a national anthem.

A lot of the Latin American anthems fit one particular stereotype: the "Latin American epic anthem". The defining characteristics are: they tend to be long, with musically contrasting sections (usually a slower section in the middle of an otherwise march-like anthem), and have "revolutionary" lyrics. And even those Latin American anthems that don't fit this pattern tend to be long... I believe the only short national anthem in Latin America is Costa Rica's.

The Uruguayan anthem was written by a hired professional composer. It was ranked in the top 3 along with the French not too long ago. And the lyrics are not necessarily revolutionary. Nationalist, yes. Revolutionary is somethign different.

The Portuguese anthem rocks, indeed, because:

1) It's Portuguese

2) It enhaces the glory of Portugal by its amazing lyrics

3) The music is also totally awesome

4) It's Portuguese

5) It was written as a protest song for a better Portugal

6) It's Portuguese

La Marseillaise is by far the best national anthem. Well, from the best country in the world I would expect the best national anthem. :sadtears: VIVE FRANCE!!!

I always found National Anthems interesting. I personally can't choose a fav. Everyone I've heard I've found so much beauty in it and how it relates to the people of that particular nation. Because the sentiment is so strong no matter who's anthem it is I find all national anthems so uniquely powerful and beautiful.

La Marseillaise kicks! (aristocratic derrieres) ;)

No you FOOLS! tis the Israeli Nation Anthem - Hatikvah (The Hope) for sure. John Williams did a very beautiful arrangement of it in the recent film Munich.

As a piece it's so wistful; unlike other anthems which have a more "AREN'T WE GREAT" theme to them. Hatikvah is certainly lovely. It has a wonderful key change from the Tonic minor, to the Submediant major. Sounds AMAZING.

GO LISTEN!

France.

YES!!!! GO FRANCE!!!

La Marseillaise is by far the best national anthem. Well, from the best country in the world I would expect the best national anthem. ;) VIVE FRANCE!!!

Vive LA France.

You're such an American, William.

*stands up*

"Du gamla, Du fria, Du fj

Austrian national anthem is awesome. Haydn wrote it. I also like La Marseilles. America's is boring.