Tag: Unofficial Anthems
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Unofficial Anthems 8: It’s an odd boy who doesn’t like sport
Haven’t checked if Stephen Fry (for it is he, he who apparently cannot be questioned :-/) is involved with the Olympics, but if he is remind him his favourite Bonzos song is this one. He explained in interviews and Moab Is My Washpot about finding this song and as a public school boy instantly got…
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Unofficial Anthems 5 & 6: Shipbuilding & Pills & Soap
When is an anthem not an anthem? If it says something profound and isn’t upbeat, is it an anthem? Ferry Cross the Mersey, Swing Low, even that terrible Elgar mess are all slow and meaningful and they’re anthems? (well maybe not the rugby ones, unless actions are also conferred LOL). I think Shipbuilding, written by…
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Unofficial Anthems (and unofficial strikers) 4 – Redskins
It is better To die on our feet Than to live on our knees If we fight as one Then the fight is won Til that day we’ll keep keeping on yeah Anthems tend to be upbeat, and full of empty inspirational poster platitudes of the sort of that terrible Keep Calm And Carry On…
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Unofficial Anthems 3: Common People
Cos everybody hates a tourist Especially one that thinks it’s all such a laugh… This wasn’t my suggestion, it comes from Dean Whitbread, but it is perfect. Not only for that line, but the fact this song was a watershed moment not only in Jarvis Cocker and Pulp’s career, but I’d argue music as Pulp…
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Unofficial Anthems 2: A New England
The ultimate anthemic non-anthem, and the ultimate (anti?) lovesong given Billy Bragg’s obvious love of political change, it grates interestingly against his other songs. I suspect there’s more than a little sarcasm or irony here against those who apathetically look to relationships to guide them (the girls with prams, and even the protagonist even confesses…
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Unofficial Anthems 1: Good Morning Britain
The Muse Olympic theme tune has been released and ho-hum, it’s the bastard lovechild of Mr Blue Sky, John Miles (!) and Flash-era Queen guitar squiggles meeting unironic Triumph-of-Will-style Laibach vocals. So usual Muse then. *boom tish*. No it really reminds me of Laibach, in a rather unhealthy way…except I guess Leni would use a…