What's your favorite national anthem?

[Anonymous]

Musically speaking - aside from political and lyrical affiliations.

Musically - I love the Russian anthem. A lot of minor chords but key of CM which is so interesting. Musically, whoever wrote that really knew how to put together patriotism, emotion and awe into a song. The theory behind that is so interesting because the chords aren't really spectacular but the way that it's put together really makes an impact.

I have always loved O Canada and thought Star Spangled Banner is pretty but musically, good god it's all over the place, not in a good way LOL

[Anonymous]

The Star Spangled Banner.

[Anonymous]

Do you think most people know more than one? I know two and dislike both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you think most people know more than one? I know two and dislike both.

In addition to the US, I’m familiar with the Russian, French, German, Canadian, and English (God Save the Queen) national anthems.

Have you really only ever heard 2?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Musically speaking - aside from political and lyrical affiliations.

Musically - I love the Russian anthem. A lot of minor chords but key of CM which is so interesting. Musically, whoever wrote that really knew how to put together patriotism, emotion and awe into a song. The theory behind that is so interesting because the chords aren't really spectacular but the way that it's put together really makes an impact.

I have always loved O Canada and thought Star Spangled Banner is pretty but musically, good god it's all over the place, not in a good way LOL

Putting aside the fact that Putin is evil, the Russian national anthem really is musically great.

They do know how to do patriotic fanfare.

Check out 35:09 in this video of the 2024 Victory Day parade, which commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over the Nazis: https://www.youtube.com/live/a28IQLva9yQ?si=BpRn49l4u30qKhD2

[Anonymous]

Take the politics away - this is not a thread engaging nationalism. This is just a musical analysis of national anthems that sound awesome. The Russian national anthem is really very good in that context. Musically, the point is it's not exactly a standout - there is nothing in it from a music theory perspective that you can analyze to death as being genius. Yet the way the music is structured, there's max impact. Just saying it's interesting how that comes out to be.

[Anonymous]

I mostly know the Russian anthem as the Soviet anthem thanks to hearing it in Hunt for Red October, but I agree that it's great. La Marseillaise is great too, although I probably think that because of Casablanca.

[Anonymous]

If you watch soccer, man, that's a lot of anthems you've heard.... hahaha

[Anonymous]

I’m not a musician, but I really like the French National anthem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mostly know the Russian anthem as the Soviet anthem thanks to hearing it in Hunt for Red October, but I agree that it's great. La Marseillaise is great too, although I probably think that because of Casablanca.

The current Russian national anthem is the Soviet era melody with slightly different words.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mostly know the Russian anthem as the Soviet anthem thanks to hearing it in Hunt for Red October, but I agree that it's great. La Marseillaise is great too, although I probably think that because of Casablanca.

The words in La Marseillaise are pretty damn vividly bloody. It always cracks me up how spectacularly gruesome it is if you actually read the lyrics. I mean it's about bloody fields and blood everywhere. But catchy tune for sure! The lyrics almost don't go with the upbeat music LOL

[Anonymous]

The Japanese anthem is a dud. Sad

[Anonymous]

Aside from the Star-Spangled Banner, Germany.

[Anonymous]

Olympics. Russians won a lot! Heard that anthem.

[Anonymous]

My Country 'Tis of Thee is lovely and we sing it in America as small children from the Old Country.