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[dschalter]

Literacy rates and average lifespans skyrocketed under Stalin, actually.

Everyone after him sucked balls though and Russia's rapid development came to a quick halt. Russia went from being the first country in space to the run-down mess it was when the Berlin Wall fell and still is today.

actually? the point isn't that literally no good thing whatsoever happened under a communist regime. significant positive modernizations were made in many communist countries across the world. the problem is that the effects of these changes were outweighed to an immense degree by certain other negative effects.

Where i disagree is calling marxism, in purely theoretical terms, an awful idea. It was a magnificent exercise of intellectual pursuit despite what it inspired. Arguably as instrumental as Einstein, Nietzsche and Freud to 20th century thought. But here again we might disagree, i'm not really a pragmatist.

I'm not a big fan of Marxism, but I do acknowledge it's very easy to see where the appeal comes from. The problem is that the specific strand of Marxism which was behind the creation of the Soviet Union was truly awful- it's very easy to directly connect the ideology of Lenin to the both the atrocities and the stagnation that were the hallmark of so many communist countries.

 

[pootle]

National Anthems can be beautiful and uplifting but rather than admiring a singer's performance it really needs the feeling of a whole crowd behind it.

Being Scottish I would pick mine of course. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAFteAPf3qo&feature=related

 

[Korey]

USA one is better by a long shot

 

[Dreams-Visions]

We like our anthem so much, we will fucking ignore FIFA's schedule and sing it all.

We also have an anthem just for the national flag.

I'm going to be honest. I love the enthusiasm from the crowd, but the arrangement for the song....eh....it sounds like it would fit in as the 16th movement in Peter & The Wolf.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XKlEfvP-lo

No disrespect intended.

lol. "One ping only" has been a family catchphrase for decades. Doesn't matter what situation.

and + respect to you and yours, sir!

 

[lush]

Will always remind me of this scene:

 

[Thoraxes]

Dreams, you didn't happen to stumble upon this while watching a video that used "My Heart Will Go On", did you?

 

[Operations]

Wasn't there a contest of some sort decades ago? I recall the results were the following:

1. France
2. Mexico
3. USSR

 

[Duki]

not even the best ex-commie country anthem

 

[Rocket Scientist]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sMD6W0qhYk

Not a national anthem but another example of Commie greatness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uz_Maršala_Tita

not even the best ex-commie country anthem

Lol that is so bad I'm kind of hoping you're joking and that's not it's actual anthem.

 

[WARCOCK]

Wasn't there a contest of some sort decades ago? I recall the results were the following:

1. France
2. Mexico
3. USSR

I don't get the appeal of the Marseillaise, and i'm enamored by everything french, even hair and bad odor.

 

[Majine]

I don't like any national anthem. Let's make new ones. Calling dubstep for my own country. Wubb wubb to you all.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Dreams, you didn't happen to stumble upon this while watching a video that used "My heart Will Go On", did you?

lol, sir. I dug out the Russian video upon being informed that one of my best friends from College--a black male Baritone Opera singer--will be playing the role of Porgy from Porgy & Bess in Kazan, Russia on February 11th. It made me think of all the classical music I love that came out of Soviet Russia, of which the Russian National Anthem was easily one of my favorites.

And the Peter & The Wolf vid was easy to find (if that was the one you were referring to). It's just what the Brazil anthem in that video made me think of.

Wasn't there a contest of some sort decades ago? I recall the results were the following:

1. France
2. Mexico
3. USSR

France and Mehiko ahead of the USSR one? I'll have to give those a listen.

edit: yes, I can see that. They both sound very good. Though the passion of the all-male chorus in the Russian one still evokes more emotion from me, so I'd have to give to that one. But I do love France's for sure. Mexico's is very musical.

 

[jsnh7076]

Its funny you mention this OP. I've always thought the anthem was very moving. Even the current one, which is a slightly modified one of the original done by the original's author. Whenever I hear it, I'll whistle, hum, or sing along. Found my self singing along a week or so ago when Hunt for Red October was on.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

when Hunt for Red October was on.

My man. Another Hunt fan. So good.

 

[MindCollizion]

Mexicanos al grito de guerra!

 

[Kabouter]

Will make a communist out of the staunchest capitalist for at least a few minutes.

I find MTV's programming more effective at that to be honest. Few minutes of My Supersweet Sixteen and you're there.

Anyway, it's a great national anthem, truly fits the country it was created for.
Certainly better than our old ass and boring national anthem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIg9VaMBi9o

 

[JLG-]

Mexico's national anthem is the best imo.

 

[dschalter]

USA one is better by a long shot

Not nearly stirring enough, imo.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Not nearly stirring enough, imo.

Concur. TBH, I think the most stirring American national song is Stars & Stripes Forever. It needs some love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXwu0h_ulpw

Musically, it is without question superior to the Star Spangled Banner.

 

[Rocket Scientist]

Certainly better than our old ass and boring national anthem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIg9VaMBi9o

Get outta here with that! Wilhelmus >>> 90% of national anthems.

 

[Kabouter]

Get outta here with that! Wilhelmus >>> 90% of national anthems.

I think it only really works well when sung by a full football stadium.

 

[WARCOCK]

Get outta here with that! Wilhelmus >>> 90% of national anthems.

I agree, its simplicity is sooooooooooooooo fucking moving. It is also the oldest anthem iirc. ORANJEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

 

[Rocket Scientist]

It's incredibly unique compared to most compositions and what's the point of national anthems if not to be sung by a full stadium =D

 

[Dreams-Visions]

It's incredibly unique compared to most compositions and what's the point of national anthems if not to be sung by a full stadium =D

+1

and on that note, I'd love to hear that USSR anthem sung in a football stadium like that. I wonder if there are any videos to that end. MUST be epic.

 

[Emwitus]

NO, THIS ONE IS. Obvious bias ofcoarse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXKur2FAN7g

EDIT: Its so badass, it has 4 different languages and finishes on a completely different melody than when it begins. lol

EDIT 2: And from the movie, cry freedom. The anthem plays as a list of the names of detainees during the apartheid era and their supposed "known causes" are shown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bq5J7TKt8xI#t=428s

 

[questionmark]

Obviously I am bias because I am Norwegian, but I love our anthem.

 

[bjaelke]

I think it only really works well when sung by a full football stadium.

Doesn't that apply to most anthems? It's certainly an improvement when it comes to the Danish anthem - and that's the A Capella version.

 

[maharg]

Man, Canada's national anthem sounds so weak compared to this

The upside to the Canadian anthem is that normal people can do a passable job of singing it. Have you ever heard an average person try to sing the American anthem? It's ear splitting.

 

[Rocket Scientist]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfx4J6aL3dE

It's not Finland's official anthem, but many people prefer it over the real one. My Finnish friend was pretty passionate about it and her hate for the actual anthem. I think it'd be interesting to hear something like this during a football game where a full stadium would sing it.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Obviously I am bias because I am Norwegian, but I love our anthem.

beautiful. delicate, yet powerful.

 

[ThoseDeafMutes]

The Australian anthem is pretty shite.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

The Australian anthem is pretty shite.

that's okay. the women are hotter, so it balances out.

 

[Desperado]

I love Das Deutchlandlied. Hard to top Haydn.

 

[theignoramus]

I like the German national anthem, which is almost as good when all the stanzas are sung. China's anthem is pretty bad ass too.

 

[theignoramus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yDrtNEr_5M

As much as I love hearing some Jennifer Hudson sing the Star Spangled Banner, there's something about the old Soviet National Anthem that touches me deeper. Perhaps I just have a soft spot for mass choirs, but the passion the choir sings with gives me chills every time I hear it. The refrains are pure emotion and power. The belief in what they're singing about, unmistakable. I greatly admire it and it has a place on top of my list.

That said, I can't say I've heard all that National Anthems. Is there one better, GAF? School me, ladies & gentlemen.

The Paul Robeson version of the USSR anthem is the best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtU3vUOa2sw

 

[KePoW]

Another vote for the Soviet/Russian anthem. I've always liked it a lot, good post.

 

[Kabouter]

I love Das Deutchlandlied. Hard to top Haydn.

Watching F1 for many years burned me out on the German national anthem.

 

[GCX]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfx4J6aL3dE

It's not Finland's official anthem, but many people prefer it over the real one. My Finnish friend was pretty passionate about it and her hate for the actual anthem. I think it'd be interesting to hear something like this during a football game where a full stadium would sing it.

Fun fact: Finland's official anthem is based on a German drinking song.

 

[Sye d'Burns]

Literacy rates and average lifespans skyrocketed under Stalin, actually.

Everyone after him sucked balls though and Russia's rapid development came to a quick halt. Russia went from being the first country in space to the run-down mess it was when the Berlin Wall fell and still is today.

I suppose those skyrocketing lifespan statistics aren't taking into account those that were purged, died of starvation or in a massive war. All of those things should have had serious ramifications for such a statistic. What was the lifespan before Stalin? 7?

 

[WickedCobra03]

Will always remind me of this scene:

^This. God, is it wrong that it is my favorite movie? I loved the scene where Ivan Drago is going through training/testing in his private gymnasium.

 

[XtremeRampage]

+1

and on that note, I'd love to hear that USSR anthem sung in a football stadium like that. I wonder if there are any videos to that end. MUST be epic.

World Cup 1982

Yup, one of the best, if not the best anthem. SFRY (Yugoslavia) anthem is also interesting, which is similar to the Polish anthem in that video.

 

[wsippel]

Not really a national anthem, but the anthem of the European Union is hard to top - "An die Freude" by Beethoven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piJXGl8uSLU

 

[GCX]

Not really a national anthem, but the anthem of the European Union is hard to top - "An die Freude" by Beethoven: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piJXGl8uSLU

Now this I can agree with:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ9lhoo8fZo

 

[Rocket Scientist]

The EU one is nice, did anyone post the CL theme yet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgomX3qD-iA

Edit: What we really need is everyone to post their country's anthem and then GAF will vote and decide.

Bosnia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfqxCJfW4t4

Bosnia's former anthem that was written during the war:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MELkCeYwIcY

During sportsgames you will still find many fans singing this one over the music of the current one. It has to do with the fact that Bosnia has 3 large groups of people living in it. The Bosnian Serb and Croat population felt like this one didn't represent them. It's unfortunate because the lyrics don't mention any group of people, they simply talk about the actual country. It's not surprising though since Bosnian Serbs and Croats often view Serbia and Croatia as their ''land of my dreams, the land of my forefathers''. The new one is alright, the old one was great.

 

[Kabouter]

The EU one is nice, did anyone post the CL theme yet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgomX3qD-iA

Greatest theme song ever. Makes CL seem like the most important thing in the world, which it pretty much is, so it fits well.

 

[Lagspike_exe]

Going from The Internationale to this was pretty shocking I guess.

 

[Rocket Scientist]

Greatest theme song ever. Makes CL seem like the most important thing in the world, which it pretty much is, so it fits well.

Haha! Well put.

 

[Cohsae]

Play Le Marseillaise. Play it!

 

[etiolate]

Russian choir, especially folk choir, is all pretty badass. I listen to this all the time: http://youtu.be/UIxLZXIHfjw

 

[Luigiv]

The Australian anthem is pretty shite.

Yeah, I'm definitely in the "National Anthem Needs to be Changed to Waltzing Matilda" camp, myself. I mean who wouldn't want their countries national anthem to be about a vagrant who steals a sheep then drowns himself to escape persecution? Has to happen!

Well on the bright side, at least Advance Australia Fair is better then God Save the Queen, which was our anthem up until the 80's (and is obviously still the UK anthem to this day).