Being from England, I’ve never been keen on our own national anthem. Sure, God Save the Queen will still get me excited, but I’d prefer it if Land Of Hope And Glory was our personal national anthem, and this mainly stems from the fact some countries have great national anthems. You may find national anthems boring, but no doubt you will not be able to deny that in an important game for your country, they can make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. I’m no expert on national anthems, I don’t even know the words to my own countries one, but I decided to have a little review of all the national anthems at this summer’s World Cup and come up with my five favourite. I would love to hear what your favourite national anthem at this World Cup is – it’s very important you know!
5. Germany:
A football team with more fierce rivals than any other nation in the world most likely, yet they win me over with their great anthem. It just sounds noble and epic, I’d definitely be proud to see my players singing this one. On another note, short and sweet. Recently England took on Sri Lanka in a game of cricket at the World Cup and Sri Lanka’s anthem went on for about five minutes whereas England’s lasted 30 seconds. We sang God Save the Queen and got one with it, good to see the Germans not over doing it.
4. Chile:
Listening to this makes me want to go to Chile, or at least meet some people from there; it sounds vibrant. What an intro that is! Then at the half way point it mixes things up and keeps up the liveliness, it’s a great tune that really represents the country well.
3. France:
I’m surprised how many people don’t realise this song is the official national anthem of France. I don’t know about you, but I hear quite a lot of people recognise the song when it’s played and admit they didn’t know it was the country’s song. It’s a famous tune and deserves to be in there, and is synonymous with the French nation. They may be one of the most frustrating footballing nations to watch, but their anthem certainly provides a bit of entertainment.
2. Brazil:
We hear it all the time at every World Cup, and if you haven’t heard it before get ready to be familiarised with it. The world’s greatest footballing nation backed by a great and vibrant anthem, this song must really fire up the Brazilians before they start the match. Although I usually love Brazil, their great anthem will not stop my 2010 World Cup boycott of them, as Dunga has broke my (and probably yours) heart by dropping Ronaldinho for the South African tournament. Give the people what they want Dunga, I want to hear some of Ronaldinho’s fantastic singing on that anthem.
1. Italy:
I’ve always been a big fan of Italian football, it used to be shown on Channel four when I was young, and as I didn’t have Sky it was my only outlet for football. I still follow Italian football a lot, and most of my favourite players are the big names that graced Serie A in the 90′s and early 00′s. So I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for the Italian national team (although Totti, Toni and Del Piero will tell you when they’re not worthy of a call up, Lippi – not the other way around!) and I just love their anthem. If you ever get a chance to read the lyrics to the song as well, they’re going on about making someone Rome’s slave or something and dominating the world. Got to love those Italians.
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I disagree about Ronaldinho. He showed us 4 years ago that he was more interested in partying than winning the World Cup when he hit the club for an all nighter when they got knocked out. His form hasn’t been the same lately and to include him would only be for legacy reasons, not what he’s capable of doing now for this World Cup. This selection seems much more focused and serious about winning this. I even wonder what Kaká will be capable of this time around but at least I know he’ll take these games seriously. Go Brazil!!!
I’m a big fan of Ronaldinho, and I agree i’d love to see him more there for his legacy, but has has had a fantastic season with A.C Milan. I’ve just always loved watching Brazil, but under Dunga they aren’t as spectacular which I don’t like to see. We all like the flashy Brazil!
When I read the title of this blog the #1 anthem that came to mind was Italy – as an American not sure why but I have loved that anthem ever since the Torino Olympics – these orchestral cuts don’t do any of them justice, frankly – you need a few thousand natives singing and waving the flags.
I really hope that ESPN shows both national anthems before the World Cup this year. It really sets the stage before the game and has always bothered me in the past when they cut back from commercial after the anthems have been played. Thank goodness for Univision…..
I never knew that about ESPN (never seen an american broadcast of a world cup game!) But I agree, the anthems set the stage and they’re a great part of the World Cup. Do they do this for all nations or do they make an exception when the USA are playing?
In the past they have made an exception when the US is playing. Hoping that with all the improvement in soccer coverage here in the US this is a thing of the past. All countries deserve to have their national anthem shown live before the match.
In the not too frequent past I can remember many televised games here often being interrupted for commercials during the run of play. Now that seems like a thing of the past.
Things are improving – this year’s build up from ESPN has far exceeded my expectations. They really are going all out for this tournament.
Due to their playoff loss, one of my favourites – Russia – won’t be played during the finals. But I like North Korea’s blasting anthem – even if it is just part of the whole propaganda schtick they’ve got going.
Australia’s is pretty decent – as is Spain’s. But like the world cup itself, the stand outs ultimately are always Brazil and Italy – emotive, rousing, tuneful and the perfect jingle to accompany football gladitorial combat.
And being from the England, I have to agree with you about GSTQ. A short, hymnal-like piece that simply grovels at the feet of our majest. Jerusalem is great (though not the best title if we’ re playing a side from the Middle East) so I guess Land of Hope and Glory (which we used at the Commonwealth games) is as obvious successor.
people aren’t as bothered about the monarchy anymore, to bo honest the queen is just an expensive diplomat that doesn’t achieve much diplomacy! We should definetley change it, most people would be ok with it I reckon.
I was considering North Korea’s after I heard it, I quite like that one. Many of the other European nations have quite similar ones, a bit boring really. Algeria’s was also in for a shout too!
Having listened to Algeria’s, it is quite fun though sounds more like something one would do a formal dance to than as a national anthem.
As for queenie, I agree the monarchy is totally outdated and irrelevant but I think there are bigger fish to fry in terms of consitutional change. But that is a discussion for elsewhere!
As an Englishman I find this very hard to say but the best anthem in the world is Scotland’s ‘Flower of Scotland’. The music and the words behind it are so powerful that I’m sure it must give the team a massive boost.
If only England’s was as good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybxfZoT6VHQ&feature=related
An American’s Top 5:
5) Brazil
4) Greece
3) Italy
2) Spain
1) Australia
I love the anthems. The one that makes me get goose bumps is Germany. Beautiful tune which can be felt by the people and the passion that they play.
You have a good list there. I would add Mexico, Argentina, and Spain to your list as well.
MEXICO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its beautifullly written!!!!
I think I would have included the US as one of the top 5. It’s hard to beat the ending of our anthem: Home of the Braaaaaave!!
Long term expat that has heard a lot of anthems in his day, I definitely think that France and the USA are bounds over the rest in terms of anthems. La Marseilles is the original and best march anthem and the USA anthem has an incredible range that makes it a real satisfying challenge for vocalists to take on. Brazil’s is fun and seems appropriate for the country so I’ll clock them in at #3. Japan’s is quite awful and gets sent to the bottom of the pile.
beg to disagree laddies, but nothing gets the excitement like our glorious “God Save The Queen”!!!! think of the glorious moments in history when our anthem has been entoned, whether it be burma, india, south africa, crimea, etc, etc, etc….
once during a “home nations championship” england took “land of hope and glory” as its anthem. it was great, it’s beautiful, and glorious, but come on, “God Save The Queen” is OUR song!!!
And by the way, what a great Queen….
the old soviet union anthem was very good, as is the german, italian and particularly the french. I don’t like the brazilian one, I find it messy, like out of tune….
hope you all enjoy a great world cup, and let’s sing it for ENGLAND!!! God, Queen and Country!!!!!
top 5
1- ENGLAND
2- VENEZUELA
3- FRANCE
4- USA
5- GERMANY
First number one is INDIA national antheme it just relased
I am Chilean, so of course I agree wtih your decision of putting the Chilean anthem in your top 5!
Personally speaking, I get goose bumps all over and brings a tear to my eye every time… knowing what the words represent and totally relating to it by the apperciation of this beautiful country, I can’t help but cry. I have lived in Australia for 20 years… and after not hearing my national anthem for 15, I cried the first time and every time after that!.
I would recommend a visit if you were to get the chance, you will see the beauty of my country as the words in our anthem state.
Makes me proud to see so many Chileans in South Africa supporting ‘La Roja’.
Viva Chile!
1.27. That’s when the FIFA monkeys decide to cut the Chilean national anthem. I mean wtf? Talk about lack of respect to a whole nation, makes me wanna vomit every single time.
In the words of Limp Bizkit: Play da fookin’ track! All of it!
To be Honest I don’t Agree with any of these. Anthems should be Powerful. These anthems sound like they should be at a Fair or in a Old Cartoon.
the beat is Uruguay and I’m not even from south America
Why don’t you include Holland’s national anthem?? As far as I know, Holland has the oldest national anthem.
URUGUAYYY is where its at
really….im from the USA and uruguay’s national anthem is the best…just listen to the players sing it with such force! i love it!
UR-UUUUU-GUAYY
I really like uruguay’s as well, like all your choices but #1 Italy; check out my rankings of all anthems at http://themusicmap.blogspot.com/
This may not be soccer-related, but I seriously think that South Africa’s anthem is very moving. Do you know any other anthems that feature 4 different languages in it? And we don’t sing about how fantastic our people are, we sing about how beautiful our land is. I always feel so pepped up and happy with a lump-in-my-throat when I sing it. It’s beautiful!
My fav.:
1.) German anthem (“Deutschlandlied”)
2.) Spanish Anthem
3.) Het Wilhelmus
4.) English anthem
5.) Russian Anthem
Ánd a special point goes to the Anthem of the European Union
All these anthems are epic!
where is the Mexican national anthem???
japans is the best . Listen to the lyrics. (in English of cause). Its simple and beautiful to listen to.
the best is argentinas anthem,i genuinely like it though i dont support them
Dear All,
I am from Pakistan, and wants to give a chanellge to you all that pakistan national anthem is the best in the world,
You can also read its meaning and judge,
My longing comes to my lips as supplication of mine,
O Allah! (God) may like the candle be the life of mine,
May my homeland through me attain elegane,
As the garden through flowers attain elegance.
May my life like that of the moth be, O Lord,
May I love the lamp of knowldge O Lord,
May supportive of the poor my life’s way be.
May loving the olds, the suffering my way be,
O Allah! (God) Protect me from the evil ways
Show me the path leading to the good ways,
O Allah! (God) Protect me from the evil ways…
Show me the path leading to the good ways….
miss the next world cup…
I’m surprised the Canadian national anthem. That is my favorite.
My Top 5, not only from this last World Cup is: Brazil, Sweden, France, USA and Israel. So, let’s put in the World Cup’s Top 5: Brazil, USA and France… and I would add Japan and Italy to it.
india’s anthem declared “THE BEST ANTHEM” BY UNESCO.
France, Italy, USA
1 – France 2 – URSS 3 – USA 4 – Deutchland 5 – Dutch
The Italian National Anthem is amazing… This version of it, is
horrible…. This one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9G06uarG7Q&feature=colike is
the best…. Also, Dov’e la vittoria, le porga la chioma, c’e’
sciava di roma Iddio la creo. (The part you were referring as
making slaves and taking over the world) is saying the the Goddess
of Victory, is become a slave of Rome. (Meaning that Rome always
wins)… Also It states that God is the one performing the act, not
Italiani