"You and me/From one world/ We are family," goes the Beijing Olympics' theme song. It marks unity among the member countries, encouraging harmony. However, every country proudly boast its individuality and nationality through its national anthem. And among the most unique of all might be those from Bangladesh and Nepal. The Guardian's Alex Marshall tracked the 205 national anthems and concluded with the 10 best.
...there are only a dozen anthems that are musically worth listening to - and that most of the countries these belong to do not have a hope of winning a gold in Beijing.
Marshall writes there are anthems which are truly unique because they "make the effort to be different."
...there are a handful of anthems that do stand out - either because they use non-western instruments, scales and tunes, or because they take a western anthem and then toy with it, making it solemn or funny, and entirely their own. Most of the "Stans" of central Asia have anthems that sound like they could not have come from anywhere apart from former Soviet states. They trudge along in minor keys, filled with imposing strings and booming drums, as if written to accompany armies clambering into battle.
Then there are Nepal's, Senegal's and Nigeria's, all of which make use of local instruments.
Bangladesh: My Golden Bengal
A wonderful anthem that sounds like it was written for a stroll along the Seine. It really needs Jacques Brel. Which is probably not what the Bangladeshi composer had in mind. [SAJAforum note: see comment by reader below]
Nepal: Hundreds of Flowers
Adopted last year, when Nepal's House of Representatives threw out the old, western-style anthem. This folk melody on strings and hand drums sounds like slowed-down bhangra. Shame it's probably unplayable by brass, so unlikely to be heard outside Nepal.
Chances for the Bangladeshi and Nepali athletes being serenaded by their country's national anthems in the Olympics are bleak. I hope the world gets to hear these unique anthems in some manner.
List of the Ten Best National Anthems
Uruguay: National anthem
One of the most euphoric pieces of classical music I've ever heard. Banks of trumpets play crescendos to false endings - for five minutes. But somehow it works.
Bangladesh: My Golden Bengal
A wonderful anthem that sounds like it was written for a stroll along the Seine. It really needs Jacques Brel. Which is probably not what the Bangladeshi composer had in mind.
Tajikistan: National anthem
Written when the country was part of the USSR, it sounds like the music that plays in James Bond films when a Russian spy is about to cut off Bond's manhood. It doesn't try to soar, but frighten, and it's all the better for it.Mauritania: National anthem
A trip into the heart of the souk, albeit a menacing one. The melody is so unusual that most Mauritanian's can't sing along to it, so pretend it doesn't have any words.
Dominica: Isle of Beauty, Isle of Splendour
A simple, spiralling melody stuck on repeat for 47 seconds, but there's such movement and elegance to it. Don't confuse with the Dominican Republic's, which is wretched.US Virgin Isles: Virgin Islands March
It's Mary Poppins! One of the few anthems to literally pull out all the bells and whistles. This should be a soundtrack to a kid's film.
Senegal: Strum Your Koras, Strike Your Balafons
How can an anthem that name checks two local instruments in its title - a harp and a xylophone - be any less than brilliant? It's really two tunes - the first twinkles, the second strolls. But both are amazing.
Nigeria: Arise O Compatriots, Nigeria's Call Obey
Written in 1978 by the Nigerian Police Band, this should be an awful march. Fortunately it features relentless afrobeat percussion, which makes any tune outstanding.Nepal: Hundreds of Flowers
Adopted last year, when Nepal's House of Representatives threw out the old, western-style anthem. This folk melody on strings and hand drums sounds like slowed-down bhangra. Shame it's probably unplayable by brass, so unlikely to be heard outside Nepal.Japan: May Your Reign Last Forever
Solemn. So much so, it'll have you thinking of everyone you've lost for its duration. Rarely does an anthem carry such weight.
