The Music Map

Swedish indie: Laakso (ft. Peter Joback)

2010-10-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

I've been on a Scandinavian kick with my music lately, and I must say there is quite a lot to like. First of all, a lot of it is in English- particularly from Sweden, where 89%(!) of the population can speak it. From what I can tell, there's a very vibrant music scene in the Nordic countries; for example, just look at the line-up of bands from Gothenburg, including Ace of Base, The Knife, Jose Gonzales, and Little Dragon. This is all coming from a city about the size of Albuquerque!

The band Laakso and singer Peter Joback (who are not from Gothenburg) team up for a great single, titled Italy vs. Helsinki. The soaring piano backing is perfect for the dueling vocalists, who are trying to persuade us to come with them to Italy and Helsinki (Finland's capital). The song's bombastic sound and inventive use of lyrics give the entire song a "tounge-in-cheek" feel, and its just a lot of fun. And no offense to Helsinki, but I'm choosing Italy.

Laakso (ft Peter Joback) - "Italy vs. Helsinki"

Anthem Rankings #1: And the winner is...

2010-09-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

In what amounts to a landslide victory (a full one-point win!), the only country from Oceania to make the list also tops it. French Polynesia, an overseas "country," or collectivity of France, adopted Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui (Long Live Tahiti Nui) in 1993. Surprisingly, this anthem was a collaborative effort of seven musicians, who composed and wrote the song for a contest in 1993, where it beat out 16 other competitors. Tahiti is the largest and most populated island in this collection of archipelagos, and the country also competes under that name for both international soccer and basketball events.

There are so many descriptive adjectives that could be used to describe this song, but this time, I'll let you decide which ones they should be. Maybe that is what sets this anthem apart; as far as national anthem's go, it doesn't really slot itself into one niche, it just does everything well. FP's anthem was one which was just fun to listen to again and again, and the Slovak orchestra really outdid themselves with this rousing rendition.

At first, I was a little worried when FP won my anthem rankings, thinking it was entirely possible that the Slovak arrangement was as good as it gets, which was the case for many small countries. Luckily, I was wrong, as I found out after a quick Youtube search. The a capella version below is one of my favorite renditions of any national anthem. The Polynesian choir's simple, upbeat harmonies really are a joy to listen to.

Overall score : 29/30

Anthem Rankings #2: Russia

2010-09-19T01:30:00.000-07:00

The Russians are nothing if not a proud people, and this is strikingly evident when you listen to their national anthem. For grandeur and patriotic "feel," the National Anthem of the Russian Federation is unmatched. The original song was written during WWII as the Soviet Union's new anthem to replace the socialist anthem The Internationale, which Stalin though was too...well, "International" for his warring country. Because of the anthem's link to communism and the United States' cold-war nemesis, the song seems to have gotten a bad rap among Westerners. Lately, the trendy thing to do in Western media is to back any segment on a policy with socialist or authoritarian tendencies with the Soviet anthem- and if visuals are involved, you'll no doubt see some grainy footage of Soviets marching with their tanks as Stalin looks on. It's a bit that's been played out, but I usually don't mind, because I get to hear the anthem. However, some nutty talk-show hosts take it too far.

While the music is exceptional, a good vocalization of the lyrics make this song special. The climax of the song really lends itself to belting out the lyrics full-force- and when done right, it is very moving (click on Putin's eye below for an example). Interestingly enough, a children's author named Sergey Mikhalkov, who wrote the original lyrics for the USSR in 1943, rewrote them in 1977 and then again in 2000, when Russia (or maybe just Putin) decided to adopt the Soviet anthem's music.

Check out a rock version here.

Overall score: 28/30

Anthem Rankings #3: Sealand

2010-09-14T20:54:00.000-07:00

This is Sealand.

This is their national anthem.

No, I'm not making this up. Sealand is actually a micronation whose territory includes that monstrosity you see in the picture above; a now-anchored military platform used by the British in WWII. Because they sunk the fort in international waters (at the time, outside of 3 miles from the English coast), the fort was technically an unoccupied territory. In the sixties, a pirate radio broadcaster, Roy Bates, landed on the platform and declared it an independent principality, and he and his family subsequently become royalty. Sure, they are not recognized by any other country, but they seem to fit firmly in the gray area of international law, so who's to say that they are not an independent entity?

Now, you may think that this uninspiring, rusty platform doesn't deserve such a grand anthem, and as I've mentioned previously, I am a strong proponent of anthems which just "seem appropriate" for their country. However, once you learn some of the surprisingly epic history of the principality, complete with foreign invasions, hostage-taking, helicopter attacks, and treason, you may change your mind. The name of the anthem is the same as Sealand's motto, E Mare Libertas (From the Sea, Freedom) and is currently an instrumental piece only. The music whirls around dramatically for about a minute and a half, and the end result is a satisfying, patriotic piece - simple, yet everything an anthem should be. I just wish someone lyrically-inclined could write up a few stanzas for this piece. Who knows, maybe they would give you free lordship if you do.

Overall score: 28/30

Anthem Rankings #4: Northern Ireland

2010-09-04T23:43:00.000-07:00

Well, here I go again throwing my hat in for another unofficial anthem. The ambiguity of Northern Ireland's political status is really evident in its lack of national symbols; it has neither a official flag nor an official anthem. In the same matter as England, Northern Ireland uses a distinct unofficial anthem (that is, not God Save the Queen) in events such as the Commonwealth Games. In Northern Ireland's case, it is the well-known Irish song Londonderry Air (or Derry Air depending on your point of view, but really, let's stick with Londonderry, at least for this song). If that name is not familiar to you, hopefully Danny Boy is. That is the name usually associated with the song, being the Irish ballad which supplies the most popular lyrics for the music. The melody quite moving, yet still sweet and sentimental, but not necessarily sad.

This anthem doesn't need the Danny Boy lyrics to make it exceptional; it is already a great song on its own, as demonstrated by instrumental version above. And really, the lyrics for a love song don't seem completely fitting for a national anthem. Furthermore, Danny Boy was written by an Englishman who never set foot in Ireland. Considering the strong association Danny Boy now has with Irish culture, I'm concluding that the music of Londonderry Air is what largely carried this song to its current popularity, though the music-lyrics relationship really is a two-way street. Still, it would be great if Northern Ireland could get around to writing some new, more "nationally appropriate" lyrics for one of their best (and most well-known) songs, possibly along the lines of those found in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir version below.

Overall score: 27.5/30

Anthem Rankings #5: Netherlands Antilles

2010-09-01T23:01:00.000-07:00

As a neighbor to Aruba and sister country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this collection of Lesser Antilles islands also possess a beautiful, waltz-style anthem. This strangely unnamed anthem has a light, flowing sound, but it has a cinematic quality to it. It's certainly not going to scare anyone - but come on, this is the Netherlands Antilles, a collection of tropical tourist traps, not Turkey or Tajikistan. It seems many islands chose less intimidating melodies for their anthems, and I must say that I approve. What is exceptional about this anthem is the way never ventures far from its melody - even with its four minute length. This results in a memorable, singable anthem. This is a song that you could probably sing the second time your heard it (if you knew Papiamento, of course) - let's call it the anti-Rwanda.

Unfortunately, this anthem is critically endangered. The Netherlands Antilles are scheduled to dissolve on October 10, 2010, with three islands absorbed into the Netherlands, and two obtaining "country" status, like Aruba. Each of the islands already have their own anthem (I checked), so it is unlikely that any of them pick this song up to replace their island-specific anthems. It's kind of a shame that this beautiful anthem may fade away without even obtaining a name. Below is a very nice choral version of the anthem in Papiamento.

Overall score: 27/30

Anthem Rankings #6: Germany

2010-08-27T22:41:00.000-07:00

From a musical standpoint, Germany's national anthem, Das Deutschlandlied (The Song of Germany), has quite an advantage - it was written by the composer Joseph Hadyn. Though this alone didn't guarantee it's high ranking (and really, I didn't know this when I scored it anyway). It is, simply, an exemplary composition from the classical period, a beautiful symphonic arrangement from the Austrian master. Think of it as if the European Union's anthem (Ode to Joy from Beethoven's 9th) were included in these rankings - the music is simply a cut above the rest. The original song was written 1797 as an ode to the Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II, after Hadyn had observed the patriotic effect that "God Save the King" had on the British.

You'd be hard-pressed to find national anthem lyrics that could be described as "humble." And truthfully, Germany has always had a little problem with humility. So is it really a surprise that six of the ten lines (counting repeats) from the first stanza tell us that Germany is pretty much the greatest thing ("above all") in the world? And that this stanza was used by the Nazis as Germany's official anthem during WWII? I don't think so. Following the war, the choice was made to change the official lyrics to the much tamer third stanza, and they remain so to this day. Don't get me wrong, though- I vastly prefer Germany's lyrics to the bloodbath that is the anthems from countries like France, Vietnam, or Mexico.

Getting back to the music, I don't think any other anthem can match this song for "that moment," which Das Deutschlandlied reaches during the finale, especially during the repeat. It's such a great, pride-swelling, emotional climax for this song, and really is what separates it from almost all of the others. The vocal version below is a good example of this. A couple other adaptations I enjoy are this rock version and this haunting one from Nico of Velvet Underground fame.

Overall score: 26.5/30

Anthem Rankings #7: Republic of China (Taiwan)

2010-08-25T22:14:00.000-07:00

No other anthem I listened to got the blood flowing like this bombastic, powerful piece. Sharing anthem duties with the official national anthem, this "national flag anthem" of Taiwan is played during flag-raising and as the anthem for all international events Taiwan takes part in, due to political issues with the PRC. But after listening to the official national anthem, I'm not sure they would use it if they could. This "flag anthem" is the perfect patriotic song- it's short, up-tempo, and it's quite the showpiece. While most short anthems felt a little lacking in the development of the melody, this song feels complete, even though it just flies by.

It's no surprise that each line in the lyrics of this very accented song ends in an exclamation point (at least in the English translation). The choir/orchestral version below is toned down compared to the Slovak interpretation above, but still very enjoyable. Other good videos with the song include an a capella version, the medal ceremony from their first Olympic gold (as Chinese Taipei), and an overly dramatic cinematic version.

Overall score: 26.5/30

Anthem Rankings #8: Rwanda

2010-08-24T23:59:00.000-07:00

In listening to 274 different anthems, it became clear to me that most anthems just didn't "stand out"; musically, they did not possess melodies or rhythms that helped to distinguish themselves from the group. So when I came across a unique anthem like Rwanda Nziza (Beautiful Rwanda), I was impressed with the boldness to try something different. In particular, this anthem has a very distinct African-style rhythm, lots of percussion, and an optimistic melody that I like to describe as "storytelling"; it's not really there for itself as much as it is to move the song along. While it may not be the most technically impressive song, and it doesn't possess a particularly memorable melody, Rwanda Nziza was the anthem which I kept coming back to, and probably the one I've listened to the most- and every time I listened, I would hear something new or different. There's a subtle beauty to the way the melody builds upon itself, especially at about 2/3 of the way through the song, and I loved the way the low brass/percussion combination signaled transitions throughout the anthem. This is probably not a song that everyone will like, but I think everyone will be able to appreciate it, especially after several listens.

Adopted in 2002, this anthem was part of a re-set of all national symbols, as a way to move past the civil war and infamous genocide in the 1990s. Unlike the old anthem, the lyrics of Rwanda Nziza do not mention the Hutu or Tutsi ethnic groups, and are largely positive and forward-looking, except for a strong denunciation of colonialism in the third stanza. The version below is very well-sung by Kizito Mihigo, though I would love to hear it with more substantial background music. A nice a cappellla version can be seen here as well. Really, kudos to anyone who can sing this song- with that melody, it cannot be easy.

Overall score: 26.5/30

Anthem Rankings #9: South Africa

2010-08-23T21:54:00.000-07:00

Even prior to the World Cup, The National Anthem of South Africa had become fairly well-known, due to two very distinguishing characteristics- it doesn't finish on its "home key," and it is sung in five different languages! This is because the anthem, adopted in 1997, is a combination of two important songs for South Africa - Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, a pan-African hymn which is also the anthem of Tanzania and Zambia; and Die Stem van Suid-Afrika, an Afrikaans song which served as the national anthem for South Africa under the apartheid regime. Surprisingly, (and very inclusively) Nelson Mandela decided both songs would be national anthems in 1994, until the songs were combined three year later.

The result is a refreshingly different song which discards the standard anthem template. The first half of the song (Nkosi) is an uptempo, African-gospel hymn, while the second half was a bit slower and more structured; however, it does possess the all-important loud and dramatic ending. The transition is short and simple, but it works.

Where this song really shines, though, is in the vocalization and lyrics. While the orchestra version is nice, South Africa's anthem (especially the first half) begs to be sung. It's difficult to pick one version when there were so many worthy of a listen, but I really enjoyed the duet below. It has minimal instrumentation, allowing the voices to dominate the song, and they definitely do.

Overall score: 26.5/30

Anthem Rankings #10: Bosnia and Herzegovina

2010-08-22T23:42:00.000-07:00

We begin our top ten with Bosnia and Herzegovina's "new" national anthem, Državna himna Bosne i Hercegovine, adopted in 1999. BiH was one of the countries which emerged following the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992. In the powder keg that is the Balkans, where national pride runs strong, it's a surprise that this confederation with three "constituent peoples" (Croats, Bosnians, and Serbs) exists at all, especially following the Bosnian war in the 1990s. This anthem was written to replace one written only seven years previous, Jedna si jedina, which was though to be too "Bosnian" to represent the diversity of the country. Which is probably true, as the melody is based off of an old Bosnian folk tune.

There is no doubt that any anthem change will be controversial, but I don't think there should be any concern with this song. As far as slower anthems go, I thought this was one of the most beautiful. Its inspiring melody repeats several times, growing in complexity and grandeur with each repetition. It seems like an anthem that could be sung with great emotion, which is fitting for a country which has experienced the horrors of a civil war so recently. Unfortunately, there are very few vocal versions to be found, because the lyrics for the song were only adopted in 2009. The youtube version below is one of the only vocal versions I could find, sung solo by a soprano. Also, check out this rock version if that's more your style. It's no Hendrix, but it's not bad.

Overall score: 26.5/30

Anthem Rankings #11: Cayman Islands

2010-08-21T15:20:00.000-07:00

Beloved Isle Cayman, the Cayman Islands national song, falls just outside the top 10. As a crown dependency of the British Empire, the official anthem of the Cayman Islands is (you should know this by now) God Save the Queen. Before you think there is some big conspiracy to get every UK-affiliated country or territory on this list, remember that there are 14 overseas territories, 3 crown-dependencies, and 4 countries still under UK umbrella, many with their own anthems. And here at tMM, we like to be inclusive, not exclusive.

Leila Ross-Shier, a Cayman church organist and singer, wrote Beloved Isle Cayman in 1930. While she usually sang the song with just her guitar, the orchestral arrangement is quite beautiful; it has a flowing, tranquil sound - almost like the "soft, fresh breeze" described in the first line of the song. The song isn't completely devoid of grandeur, either- the chorus has just about the right amount for this island territory.

This a capella version has much of the same feel, though the chorus melody is markedly different than in the instrumental version. However, it's very well done.

Overall score: 26/30

Anthem Rankings #12: Guernsey

2010-08-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

Guernsey is our second island with a waltz-style national anthem, and it's quite a beauty. Due to it's status as a British Crown Dependency, God Save the Queen is the "official" anthem, but I imagine that Sarnia Cherie (Dear Guernsey) is much more popular on this Channel Island. The lyrics tell the story of a wayward Guern who leaves his native island in anger, travels the world around, but (lo and behold) finds himself called home to his native isle, which of all countries is "the best." It's a classic storyline which is a perfect fit for this song, which was written specifically for the lyrics in 1911. The Germans occupied defenseless Guernsey for five years during WWII, and many children evacuated to England during that time. Some islanders were deported to German work camps as well. After the war ended, the returning children were thought to have "left as Guerns but returned as English," referring to the unfortunate loss of Guernsey culture during this time. However, this anthem surged in popularity following the war, as the song and its lyrics undoubtedly held additional meaning for all who lived through this difficult time in Guernsey's history.

The anthem's chorus is quite memorable, and is most moving as the song's dramatic finale. While I can't place my finger on it, the chorus has a very familiar sound to it, making me wonder where I may have heard this song before. It's possible that the song just has that "effect," but maybe this melody has other uses(?) The instrumental version below is fairly long (4 min) but definitely is worth the listen; and you might as well try singing along. If techno is more your style, give this a listen.

Overall score: 26/30

Anthem Rankings #13: Mexico

2010-08-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

Himno Nacional Mexicano takes the standard Latin American "epic anthem" template and ratchets up the tempo, shortens the verses, and removes excessive fanfare. The result is a first-class, melody-driven anthem with what I feel is a very adequate length (1:30-2:30, depending on what version you listen to and how many verses are included). Both the lyrics and music of Mexico's anthem were chosen in (separate) national competitions in the 1850's. Strangely enough, the lyricist, a poet named Francisco Bocanegra, was locked in a room adorned with pictures depicting events in Mexican history by his fiancée - and not let out until he finished the lyrics (fully 10 stanzas worth). Apparently, there is no more patriotic moment than when you are locked in a room against your will and surrounded by images of your country's bloody past, because Bocanegra's lyrics won the contest unanimously. And I'm just speculating about the imagery in the room, though based on the chorus and stanzas five and six, I don't think I'm too far off. Seriously, those lyrics have to be up there with some of the most violent in the world.

Looking solely at the music, however, Mexico has a lot to be proud of. While I don't feel that this anthem is the "best" in any one single category, it is simply a solid all-around composition and is everything that a national anthem should be. I'm including a vocal version below, which is very similar to the instrumental version I originally listened to.

Overall rating: 26/30

Anthem Rankings #14: Aruba

2010-08-17T21:39:00.000-07:00

Here's another island from the Lesser Antilles with quite a good anthem. Aruba, one of three countries that make up the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has a very short (:50), pleasing waltz for its anthem, Aruba Dushi Tera (Aruba Precious Country). I've always been a sucker for waltzes, and Aruba was one of the few countries which used one for their anthem. Like many anthems, this song was used politically as a rallying cry behind a movement to separate from the Netherlands Antilles, which was achieved in 1986. Below is the instrumental version, which begins with a happy, sweet melody, and finishes with a brash, brass flourish. In this instance, short and simple is sweet.

While I enjoy the instrumental version, I was delighted to find the vocal version (below), which adds a fair amount of island flair, and is sung in the native tongue. In listening to all of the national anthems, I very much enjoyed when a country's anthem seemed to match it's national attitude and/or music style (at least my perception of these things). In that context, I think this version is excellent for Aruba; sort of laid back, and more "jazzy" than "waltzy." As they would say in Papiamento; Hopi bon, Aruba!

Overall score: 26/30

Anthem Rankings #15: Canada

2010-08-16T22:57:00.000-07:00

There's a lot to like about O Canada - the innocuous lyrics; the smooth, elegant build-up throughout the song; and the way its friendly, optimistic sound seems to match the attitude of its people. I tend to that this is due to the non-violent way in which Canada achieved its independence, in contrast to countries born of revolution, which tend to have more rousing anthems, or military marches. Being from the US, Canada's national anthem was really the only foreign one I heard with any regularity when I was growing up, and I always was a little jealous that our anthem didn't quite match up to our neighbor's. Apparently, Nauru and the Bahamas liked the anthem so much that they thought they would emulate it (actually, Nauru's anthem pretty much copies parts of O Canada; the Bahamas were a little more subtle, but not really). And while I'm gushing over Canada, let me just mention than any country which brought us both Rush and the Trailer Park Boys deserves our gratitude and appreciation.

I lived in Canada for a short time, and while watching CBC (the national public broadcasting company) late one night, I came to the end of their broadcast day, which they closed with a wonderful version of O Canada (shown below). I really enjoyed it, and in the following days I purposefully would change the channel to CBC at the end of the day in order to catch the anthem. The video starts with an extended introduction with a native American theme, and also focuses extensively on the beautiful landscapes and wildlife of Canada. While I tend to think these types of videos can get overly patriotic and downright cheesy, I thought this one toed the line rather well. Unfortunately, it seems that that CBC doesn't use this anymore. It's instrumental, but you won't have any trouble finding a vocal version.

Overall score: 25.5/30

Anthem Rankings #16: United Kingdom

2010-08-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

The first time I heard the melody of God Save the Queen/[King], I didn't know that I was listening to the British National Anthem. I was listening the one of the better patriotic songs of the United States, My Country 'Tis of Thee, written in 1831, and a song most elementary kids learn at some point. It turns out that the writer of that song pulled the melody from a German songbook. Apparently, the song was very popular in Europe following an original performance of God Save the King in London in 1745. At various points in time, it became the melody for the national anthems of six countries, as has been worked into the compositions of musical giants such as Beethoven, Bach, Clementi, and Hadyn; even the Sex Pistols used the title for one of their most popular songs! To this day, the tune is used as the national anthem of the United Kingdom and Lichtenstein, and God Save the Queen is the royal anthem of 11 other commonwealth realms, including countries like Canada and Australia. Simply put, this song has gotten around, and you would be hard-pressed to find another anthem with such a rich history, and so many adaptations.

Perhaps this history skews our perception of the musical merit of this anthem, as the tune is so instantly familiar in so many places, especially the Western world. It's difficult to know if this success is due to the hymn's quality, ease of lyricism, or more simply to British Imperial dominance in the 18th-19th centuries. It's probably a combination of them all; however, this slow, stately hymn just seems to ooze patriotism and pride, so important for a national anthem. It's also very easy to remember, and more importantly, easy to sing (and play). The slow tempo allows for significant variation between verses, as is evident in the version below. My only complaint with God Save the Queen is the lyrics; I know they are traditional, but the American in me really doesn't take to the complete subordination to the monarchy in the first verse. However, I really enjoyed the use of "knavish tricks" in the second verse.

Overall score: 25.5/30

Anthem Rankings #17: Dominica

2010-08-14T23:36:00.000-07:00

Back to the Lesser Antilles, where the small island nation Dominica takes the 17 spot with Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendor. Dominica, which gained its independence from the UK in 1978, has one of the newest anthems in this list, written sometime in the mid-20th century and adopted in 1967. Dominica was one of the first islands spotted by Columbus on his second voyage, and he named it after the day he "discovered" it (Sunday is "Dominica" in Latin). Luckily, the Dominicans were a little more creative with their national anthem, which is largely an homage to the island's rugged natural beauty - which you may have seen in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

The song itself possesses a simple, whirling melody which is equal parts grand and beautiful. Listening to the instrumental version, it seems that it wouldn't be conducive to vocals. That may be the reason for the lack of vocal versions online; really, the only thing I could find was this radio call sign version. The song starts around the 30 second mark, and the quality is truly horrendous. But it does prove that the song can be sung (and rather quickly, I might add).

Overall score: 25.5/30

Anthem Rankings #18: England

2010-08-13T23:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, here's the rationale for including England in the rankings. England, along with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, are the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom, each with their representative national ethnic groups. As such, they often compete in international sporting events individually, and thus have separate anthems. The Slovak Radio Symphony included each country's anthem in their collection, and so I ranked them. And it just so turned out that England has a pretty good anthem. Or so I thought. England currently doesn't have an official anthem, so it just kinda picks whatever song it wants before international events as its anthem, though it commonly uses God Save the Queen, the UK anthem.

The Slovak's apparently like Land of Hope and Glory for England's anthem, and I cannot disagree with them. Americans (and possibly others) should recognize this song from graduation ceremonies; its part of the Pomp and Circumstance marches that play as we march down the aisles. It's a beautiful, purposefully slow, stately march which definitely can bring out the emotions, and it seems fitting for the English. I would be remiss to not also mention And did those feet in ancient time, also known as Jerusalem, as the main contender for English anthemship. I've already thrown my hat in the ring for Land of Hope and Glory, but I don't see how you could go wrong with either one. Both songs are thoroughly English (though it that respect Jerusalem may have the edge), have great popular support, and are probably already well-known by most of the English. I'll let you decide which you prefer- my favorite version of each is included below. Be sure to vote in my (first ever) poll below, too.

Overall score: 25.5/30

Which song do you prefer as the English anthem?

Anthem Rankings #19: United States Virgin Islands

2010-08-12T23:34:00.000-07:00

Virgin Islands March is a bright, boisterous anthem from the small Caribbean "insular area" of the USA. As I explained in my original post, non-sovereign areas such as the US Virgin Islands were included, because these are national anthem ratings, not "country" anthem ratings (and that just sounds ridiculous anyway). Don't confuse the US VI with the British Virgin Islands, which (un-originally) use "God Save the Queen" as their anthem.

Its difficult to not enjoy this song, which sounds like some Sousa/Copland/Disney hybrid mix- strangely resulting in a very traditional "American" sound. There are plenty of bells and whistles in this song, which seems to fly by despite being slightly longer the average anthem (2:30). There are several cameos for the cowbell (or some similar instrument), but truthfully, I could've used even more.

Thanks to the school choir at Gladys Abraham Elementary in St. Thomas, we actually have evidence that this is not only an instrumental piece. This was the only vocal version I could find, and the kids do a great job.

Overall score: 25.5/30

Anthem Rankings #20: Brazil

2010-08-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

Yet another epic anthem from Latin America, this time Hino Nacional Brasileiro. And you guessed it, this was a lengthy composition, at almost four minutes long - but unlike most other longer anthems, it didn't have any "false endings." And speaking of endings, this anthem does that very well - trust me, you'll know when this one is about to wrap up. For the most part, it's a bright, cherry anthem, and was very comparable to Uruguay's. However, I thought it flowed a little better than the anthem from its neighbor to the south, and the melody didn't become tiresome at any point in the song.

Below is a superb vocal/orchestral version, which keeps the tempo up and really brings out the grandeur of the anthem. This video also gives you a good (long) opportunity to check out the Brazilian flag, which like its anthem is one of the world's best.

Overall score: 25.5/30

Anthem Rankings #21: El Salvador

2010-08-10T22:26:00.000-07:00

Himno Nacional de El Salvador, another Latin American "epic," is the first representative from Central America. What kept me interested in this long (~4 min) anthem were the ever-present battle between fast brass fanfares and a fairly typical, slow hymn. The slow hymn is very evident in the vocal version below, which is a little too "churchy" for me.

I prefer the more up-tempo instrumental version below. As I mentioned above, transitions are not really the forte of this composition, but the schizophrenic nature of the song is what made it enjoyable and unique.

Overall score: 25/30

Anthem Rankings #22: France

2010-08-09T19:59:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you have all heard at least portions of La Marseillaise before, be it through the Beatles, Casablanca, pro wrestling (I kid you not), or in any number of French national sporting events. It's simply one of the most well-known anthems out there, and from the anecdotal evidence I've seen, one of the most beloved. Perhaps it is due to the revolutionary and democratic nature of the song, which was banned by French emperors and monarchs throughout the early 1800s, following its initial adoption after the French Revolution. But it's probably more likely related to the fact that it's just a good song, which makes it more surprising that it was written in less than a day! I expect many to think that the French anthem should be higher on this list, but considering its company in the rankings, it's difficult to rank it any higher. Also, remember that I am grading the instrumental arrangements recorded by the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, and frankly, their version, wasn't the most rousing - but would you expect it to be?

Here's how the French (in this case, Mireille Mathieu) do La Marseillaise. Quite powerful.

Overall score: 25/30

Anthem Rankings #23: Montenegro

2010-08-08T23:07:00.000-07:00

Ој, свијетла мајска зоро (or, if you don't read Cyrillic, Oj, svijetla majska zoro), which translates to "Oh, Bright Dawn of May," officially became Montenegro's national anthem following the dissolution of the Serbia and Montenegro confederation in 2006. While they are no doubt bright, late-spring Montenegrin dawns must not be the most jubilant of times, judging by the tone of this national folk song. The instrumental version repeats its short, haunting melody four times (adding drama and volume each time) before leaving us hanging with what seems to be an unfinished stanza. With the overall spirit of this song, I think it works; see what you think.

The vocal version is substantially longer, and while it almost seems to be a different song, the eerie melody is still noticeable throughout the song. It may seem simple, but this version has completely won me over. I think this is quite a beautiful song for the people of the "black mountain."

Overall Score: 25/30

Anthem Rankings #24: Uruguay

2010-08-07T23:58:00.000-07:00

Himno Nacional Uruguayo comes in at number 24. This anthem is most simply described as epic and long. Uruguay's national anthem is the longest one I listened to, clocking in at 5:09. While I generally feel that national anthems should be neatly compressed compositions of national pride and expression, this Latin American "epic anthem" simply had enough going on musically to keep me interested. The song starts with a flourish of brass and string runs, followed immediately by a quiet, marchy oboe section; but once you get comfortable with that, it explodes into a series of brass runs. The song then settles down into its main melody, which is my favorite part - it's an extremely simple, stunted melody, but it has a very carefree, optimistic quality. This part, which repeats at the end of the song, is sandwiched around an extensive, expressive middle section, where I thought the song dragged a little bit - the only reason this song is not ranked higher.

If you watched the 2010 World Cup, hearing this national anthem (and Diego Forlan's football wizardry) was more than enough reason to cheer for the Uruguayan team. The anthem played at the World Cup is substantially faster (it seems, too fast for some of the players) than the full version I listened to (above), and I think it picks out the best parts of the anthem. Both are worth a listen.

Overall score : 25/30

Anthem Rankings #25: Turkey

2010-08-05T23:52:00.000-07:00

There seems to be a theme in the rankings lately - this is the third song in a row which has an ominous, minor sound. The dominant melody in Turkey's anthem, İstiklâl Marşı (Independence March) sounds like it belongs in Star Wars, with Darth Vader entering into the scene. It's another powerful anthem, and its greatest asset is its memorability, helped by the simple recurring melody.

Northern Cyprus also uses the anthem. If you've been paying attention, you'll notice that it edged out the official [Greek] Cypriot anthem (#28). Let me just point out that while both anthems are well above-average, wouldn't it be nice to have an original, pan-Cypriot anthem? Anyway, here's a vocal version of the Turkish anthem.

Overall Score: 25/30

Anthem Rankings #26: Tajikistan

2010-08-04T23:16:00.000-07:00

Surudi Milli is the name of Tajikistan's national anthem, with a melody that is carried over from the Tajik SSR days. When considering this (and Tajikistan's location in Central Asia) it sounds about right - dramatic, proud, powerful, and a little scary- but perhaps fitting for a march with your comrades down to the aluminum plant. This is another anthem you won't hear very often unless you live there, so give it a listen. The vocal version below is sort of lo-fi; however, I think that works pretty well for this song. The video also shows some of the beautiful scenery in Tajikistan.

Overall score : 25/30

Anthem Rankings #27: Mauritania

2010-07-27T23:47:00.000-07:00

This is one anthem you probably haven't heard before, and its a shame, because it's quite unique. This song really doesn't mess around. It's simply titled "National Anthem of Mauritania," and caught my ear with its unrelenting melody, minor key, and very ominous ambiance. Somehow, it seems very fitting for the Saharan nation. If only they could get their football team on the world stage - I think this anthem would at least intimidate the opposition; that is, before their 168th-rated team started playing.

It's not easy to find another quality version of Mauritania's anthem, and almost impossible to find one with vocals, unless you count whatever this is (maybe someone can explain it to me? It seems to be a different song). The Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra version is very well done and is the best I version I could find - again, big props to them for recording all of these anthems!

Overall score: 24.5/30

Anthem Rankings #28: Greece

2010-07-26T23:49:00.000-07:00

Short and sweet defines the Greek national anthem, Hymn to Liberty. The official anthem clocks in at just under one minute, and simply seems to be the concatenation of three pleasing little melodies. Perhaps the anthem is so short because there are 158 stanzas, meaning the song would need to be repeated 79 times- thus making in the longest anthem in the world.

Greek Cyprus gets partial credit here because they use the same anthem, though without the lyrics. The version below is slightly slower than I prefer, but gets the job done (and thankfully includes only the first two stanzas).

Overall score: 24.5/30

Anthem Rankings #29: United States of America

2010-07-25T23:07:00.001-07:00

This was a hard one to rate, because I know it so well - it's my home country. I've never really liked the lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner- but the music, when played well, does have a certain appeal. To keep the ratings fair, I had to judge the Slovak arrangement, which I will admit wasn't the best instrumental version I have heard. It's well-known (and I'm sure the Brits like to point out) that the tune is a from an old British drinking song. Americans continue to honor that history by singing or playing the song before every conceivable sporting event, often followed (and preceded) by the consumption of large amounts of alcohol. The notoriously large vocal range required for the solo has led to embarrassing moments for some singers, who probably wish they were just in the bar. Leave this one to the professionals.

Here's a good version by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, backed by an orchestra.

Overall score : 24.5/30

Anthem Rankings #30: Georgia

2010-07-24T01:14:00.001-07:00

To the Caucasus, where Georgia kicks off the list with its national anthem, Tavisupleba (Freedom). In my rankings, it tied Paraguay but beat it out head-to-head to grab the final spot (all ties were broken by the highest score in any category, and then head-to-head if still tied). This arrangement seems to be more uptempo than the vocal versions I've heard, which works in Georgia's favor here. Nothing outstanding about this song, but overall a solid anthem with a decent fanfare to start it out and several runs and crescendos into the finish. The anthem was adopted in 2004, with the old one dropped due to poor lyrics. Here's hoping this one lasts for a while. Check out this slightly cheesy video for the vocal version if you want to soak up some Georgian patriotism.

Overall score: 24.5/30

Another music blog!

2010-07-24T00:11:00.001-07:00

Welcome, fellow surfers, to my blog. Here I will discuss topics relating to world music, integrating geography into one of my favorite pastimes. One of the reasons for creating this blog will be the first undertaking, which is my ratings for world national anthems. Having a keen interest in geography and music, I set out to listen to every national anthem that this world has to offer - and I found 274* of them!

Thanks to the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, who recorded all world anthems in 2005, and the wonderful music sharing site Grooveshark, I listened to symphonic arrangements of all 274 anthems. Of these, 80 songs caught my ear and made it through the first cut. These 80 were rated numerically on my novel Best Song (B.S.) scale, which based on my perception of the song's grandeur/beauty, quality, and my gut reaction to the song - because anthems are meant to evoke an emotional response, right? Anyway, it was a fun experience, and I'd like to share my rankings for the top 30 anthems, based on my B.S. rankings.

So feel free to comment and thanks for visiting the blog!

*The Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra recorded 274 anthems, which includes quite a few states which are not sovereign, as well as some anthems of supra-national organizations (like the UN, EU, etc.) Anthems of multi-national organizations were not rated, but all others were, because national pride exists whether or not the land is sovereign.