National Anthems: The Worst Songs In The World

Every nation has one, but the vast majority of national anthems wouldn't meet the kind of basic criteria we'd apply to a song for inclusion in a school concert. Almost every anthem is sexist, sectarian or violent. Or all of the above. This series looks at the bad, the worse and the ugly of anthems - from the movie theme song that is now the national anthem of one of the world's most powerful nations to the celebration of death, violence and blood-letting that dominates so many national songs. Using music from around the world, we'll look at how anthems came to be and why it's so hard to make even the most basic of changes to make them more inclusive and less offensive. Presented by veteran Scottish-Canadian journalist and broadcaster David Pate, this is a global journey that will leave you wondering if nations really need theme songs - and if they do, then maybe the best solution is the one adopted by countries that prefer anthems without words. Like the podcast? Then you'll love the book! Changing Our Tunes will be published in September, 2024 by Dundurn Press.