Top 10 National Anthems

whether it’s a royal wedding or the

whether it’s a royal wedding or the World Cup final there’s only one way to

World Cup final there’s only one way to

World Cup final there’s only one way to mark the occasion musically welcome to

mark the occasion musically welcome to

mark the occasion musically welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 national

down our picks for the top 10 national

down our picks for the top 10 national anthems

this list we’ve looked at the most

this list we’ve looked at the most rousing the most patriotic the most

rousing the most patriotic the most

rousing the most patriotic the most historic and the most interesting

historic and the most interesting

historic and the most interesting national anthems out there we’re going

national anthems out there we’re going

national anthems out there we’re going to close by singing the African national

to close by singing the African national

to close by singing the African national anthem Cosi sikelel iAfrika god bless

anthem Cosi sikelel iAfrika god bless

anthem Cosi sikelel iAfrika god bless Africa number 10 in Kosice Galilee

Africa number 10 in Kosice Galilee

Africa number 10 in Kosice Galilee Africa South Africa

Africa South Africa

Africa South Africa [Music]

first written as a hymn in 1897 this

first written as a hymn in 1897 this uplifting effort is also the national

uplifting effort is also the national

uplifting effort is also the national anthem for Zambia and Tanzania

officially adopted by South Africa in

officially adopted by South Africa in 1994 it had been used before Nelson

1994 it had been used before Nelson

1994 it had been used before Nelson Mandela’s presidency as an unofficial

Mandela’s presidency as an unofficial

Mandela’s presidency as an unofficial anthem of the oppressed people during

anthem of the oppressed people during

anthem of the oppressed people during apartheid a pan-african song for

apartheid a pan-african song for

apartheid a pan-african song for liberation its lyrics call on God to

liberation its lyrics call on God to

liberation its lyrics call on God to guide South Africa to bless it and to

guide South Africa to bless it and to

guide South Africa to bless it and to answer its prayers

[Music]

[Music] the message is simplicity and strength

the message is simplicity and strength

the message is simplicity and strength combined

[Music]

[Music] these are the oldest lyrics to be used

these are the oldest lyrics to be used

these are the oldest lyrics to be used in a national anthem and they are among

in a national anthem and they are among

in a national anthem and they are among the shortest as well

the shortest as well

the shortest as well [Music]

[Music]

[Music] but Kimmy Jo is also one of the most

but Kimmy Jo is also one of the most

but Kimmy Jo is also one of the most recognizable and arguably controversial

recognizable and arguably controversial

recognizable and arguably controversial anthems out there

anthems out there

anthems out there [Music]

dating back to the Year 1000 or possibly

dating back to the Year 1000 or possibly beyond the words first appeared

beyond the words first appeared

beyond the words first appeared anonymously in the poetry anthology the

anonymously in the poetry anthology the

anonymously in the poetry anthology the kokino uh cashews

kokino uh cashews

kokino uh cashews [Music]

calling for a rain long enough to see

calling for a rain long enough to see pebbles turn to boulders and then the

pebbles turn to boulders and then the

pebbles turn to boulders and then the boulders to see moss the anthems used

boulders to see moss the anthems used

boulders to see moss the anthems used post Second World War was allowed but

post Second World War was allowed but

post Second World War was allowed but its association with the abolished

its association with the abolished

its association with the abolished Empire was not

number eight in own Acciona Brazil arrow

number eight in own Acciona Brazil arrow Brazil and so from a short anthem to a

Brazil and so from a short anthem to a

Brazil and so from a short anthem to a very long one

very long one

very long one [Music]

there are two stanzas to the Brazilian

there are two stanzas to the Brazilian entry and 26 lines to each stanza the

entry and 26 lines to each stanza the

entry and 26 lines to each stanza the song is a story of peace of Pride and of

song is a story of peace of Pride and of

song is a story of peace of Pride and of overriding love for Brazil the place and

overriding love for Brazil the place and

overriding love for Brazil the place and Brazil the people national law states

Brazil the people national law states

Brazil the people national law states that the second stanza is optional in an

that the second stanza is optional in an

that the second stanza is optional in an instrumental rendition

instrumental rendition

instrumental rendition but both halves must be sung in a vocal

but both halves must be sung in a vocal

but both halves must be sung in a vocal performance thus the Brazilian crowds

performance thus the Brazilian crowds

performance thus the Brazilian crowds refusal to stop singing during the 2014

refusal to stop singing during the 2014

refusal to stop singing during the 2014 FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] number seven the star-spangled banner’

number seven the star-spangled banner’

number seven the star-spangled banner’ the United States of America

the United States of America

the United States of America [Music]

[Music]

[Music] first penned following an American

first penned following an American

first penned following an American victory against the British in the war

victory against the British in the war

victory against the British in the war of 1812 the star-spangled banner’ is a

of 1812 the star-spangled banner’ is a

of 1812 the star-spangled banner’ is a reference to the American flag which was

reference to the American flag which was

reference to the American flag which was then a reduced version of what we know

then a reduced version of what we know

then a reduced version of what we know today with just 15 stars to it

today with just 15 stars to it

today with just 15 stars to it [Music]

Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics then

Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics then although his poem didn’t achieve anthem

although his poem didn’t achieve anthem

although his poem didn’t achieve anthem status until 1931

status until 1931

status until 1931 [Music]

[Music]

[Music] you

you

you a musical illustration of the starred

a musical illustration of the starred

a musical illustration of the starred and striped symbol of hope that was Old

and striped symbol of hope that was Old

and striped symbol of hope that was Old Glory on the eve of victory it’s

Glory on the eve of victory it’s

Glory on the eve of victory it’s difficult to sing but impossible to

difficult to sing but impossible to

difficult to sing but impossible to forget

forget

forget [Music]

[Music]

[Music] number six el canto daily italiani Italy

known among Italians as in oedema mainly

known among Italians as in oedema mainly after its writer Goffredo memory there

after its writer Goffredo memory there

after its writer Goffredo memory there are few national anthems that rouse as

are few national anthems that rouse as

are few national anthems that rouse as well as this one

well as this one

well as this one [Music]

the opening instrumental stiffens the

the opening instrumental stiffens the stance and the opening two lines unleash

stance and the opening two lines unleash

stance and the opening two lines unleash the vocals

the vocals

the vocals [Music]

[Music]

[Music] brothers of Italy in case you weren’t

brothers of Italy in case you weren’t

brothers of Italy in case you weren’t aware Italy has woken from here it’s a

aware Italy has woken from here it’s a

aware Italy has woken from here it’s a tale of heroic war the search for unity

tale of heroic war the search for unity

tale of heroic war the search for unity and for victory

Italian history is a colorful one and

Italian history is a colorful one and it’s put against a pulsating piece of

it’s put against a pulsating piece of

it’s put against a pulsating piece of music here

it’s crescendo after crescendo after

it’s crescendo after crescendo after crescendo

crescendo

crescendo [Applause]

officially made the German national song

officially made the German national song in 1922 during the Weimar Republic this

in 1922 during the Weimar Republic this

in 1922 during the Weimar Republic this anthem was applied to West Germany post

anthem was applied to West Germany post

anthem was applied to West Germany post Second World War and has been used in

Second World War and has been used in

Second World War and has been used in part by a reunified Germany since the

part by a reunified Germany since the

part by a reunified Germany since the knocking down of the Berlin Wall in 1990

knocking down of the Berlin Wall in 1990

knocking down of the Berlin Wall in 1990 [Music]

[Music]

[Music] though the lyrics were written in 1841

though the lyrics were written in 1841

though the lyrics were written in 1841 before the country’s initial unification

before the country’s initial unification

before the country’s initial unification in 1871 the first verse was used by and

in 1871 the first verse was used by and

in 1871 the first verse was used by and is closely associated with the Nazi

is closely associated with the Nazi

is closely associated with the Nazi regime and has therefore been

regime and has therefore been

regime and has therefore been unofficially banned today only the songs

unofficially banned today only the songs

unofficially banned today only the songs third stanza is used as the anthem and

third stanza is used as the anthem and

third stanza is used as the anthem and it states that unity and law and freedom

it states that unity and law and freedom

it states that unity and law and freedom are the foundation for happiness an

are the foundation for happiness an

are the foundation for happiness an ideal worth striving for

number four the state anthem of the

number four the state anthem of the Russian Federation Russia this anthems

Russian Federation Russia this anthems

Russian Federation Russia this anthems been chopped and changed throughout the

been chopped and changed throughout the

been chopped and changed throughout the USSR s and Russia’s recent history

[Music]

[Music] created in 1944 to replace the

created in 1944 to replace the

created in 1944 to replace the International the Stalin centric

International the Stalin centric

International the Stalin centric original lyrics were dropped in 1956

original lyrics were dropped in 1956

original lyrics were dropped in 1956 upon the dictators death in 53 new words

upon the dictators death in 53 new words

upon the dictators death in 53 new words weren’t written until 1977 and they

weren’t written until 1977 and they

weren’t written until 1977 and they focused on the triumph of communism with

focused on the triumph of communism with

focused on the triumph of communism with the dissolution of the USSR Russia

the dissolution of the USSR Russia

the dissolution of the USSR Russia adopted a new but disliked anthem the

adopted a new but disliked anthem the

adopted a new but disliked anthem the lyric free patriotic shake Ayyappa Jaya

lyric free patriotic shake Ayyappa Jaya

lyric free patriotic shake Ayyappa Jaya just didn’t cut the motivational mustard

just didn’t cut the motivational mustard

just didn’t cut the motivational mustard so Vladimir Putin reinstalled the

so Vladimir Putin reinstalled the

so Vladimir Putin reinstalled the original USSR anthem with fresh lyrics

original USSR anthem with fresh lyrics

original USSR anthem with fresh lyrics in 2000 it’s long winded but worth it

[Music]

[Music] [Laughter]

at 3:00 we have French lyrics at least

at 3:00 we have French lyrics at least originally

originally

originally [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music]

[Music] Oh Canada was first translated into

Oh Canada was first translated into

Oh Canada was first translated into English in 1906 and it’s English version

English in 1906 and it’s English version

English in 1906 and it’s English version has since undergone a series of

has since undergone a series of

has since undergone a series of revisions first performed in 1880 at

revisions first performed in 1880 at

revisions first performed in 1880 at essentia Baptist Day banquet in Quebec

essentia Baptist Day banquet in Quebec

essentia Baptist Day banquet in Quebec City though it eventually fought off

City though it eventually fought off

City though it eventually fought off early English musical competition like

early English musical competition like

early English musical competition like the maple leaf forever to become the

the maple leaf forever to become the

the maple leaf forever to become the national song

national song

national song [Music]

Canada wasn’t officially recognized as

Canada wasn’t officially recognized as the national anthem until 1980 but it

the national anthem until 1980 but it

the national anthem until 1980 but it had been sung at special occasions for a

had been sung at special occasions for a

had been sung at special occasions for a long while before that

[Applause]

[Applause] number two god save the queen’ the

number two god save the queen’ the

number two god save the queen’ the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom [Music]

[Music]

[Music] an anthem that’s as far-reaching as the

an anthem that’s as far-reaching as the

an anthem that’s as far-reaching as the British Empire once was God Save the

British Empire once was God Save the

British Empire once was God Save the Queen holds patriotic power the world

Queen holds patriotic power the world

Queen holds patriotic power the world over

over

over [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] the anthem for England for Britain

the anthem for England for Britain

the anthem for England for Britain generally and for many of the

generally and for many of the

generally and for many of the Commonwealth realms the first

Commonwealth realms the first

Commonwealth realms the first particularly recognizable version dates

particularly recognizable version dates

particularly recognizable version dates back to 1744

back to 1744

back to 1744 [Music]

but a 1619 keyboard piece by John Bull

but a 1619 keyboard piece by John Bull also bears a royal resemblance nothing

also bears a royal resemblance nothing

also bears a royal resemblance nothing symbolizes Britain like the Queen and

symbolizes Britain like the Queen and

symbolizes Britain like the Queen and the monarchy and nothing soundtracks it

the monarchy and nothing soundtracks it

the monarchy and nothing soundtracks it like this anthem

like this anthem

like this anthem [Music]

[Music]

[Music] it’s victorious happy glorious and

it’s victorious happy glorious and

it’s victorious happy glorious and everywhere in between

everywhere in between

everywhere in between [Music]

before we unveil our top pick here are a

before we unveil our top pick here are a few honorable mentions

few honorable mentions

few honorable mentions [Music]

number one that Mouse a yes friends

number one that Mouse a yes friends [Music]

taking the win in this most rousing of

taking the win in this most rousing of WatchMojo countdowns is an anthem

WatchMojo countdowns is an anthem

WatchMojo countdowns is an anthem conceived amidst the French Revolution

conceived amidst the French Revolution

conceived amidst the French Revolution that still has hairs standing on end the

that still has hairs standing on end the

that still has hairs standing on end the messiah’s was written as European powers

messiah’s was written as European powers

messiah’s was written as European powers looked to invade the increasingly

looked to invade the increasingly

looked to invade the increasingly anti-monarchist France in the late 1700s

anti-monarchist France in the late 1700s

anti-monarchist France in the late 1700s Claude Josef who J de Lille was given

Claude Josef who J de Lille was given

Claude Josef who J de Lille was given the task of writing a rallying cry for

the task of writing a rallying cry for

the task of writing a rallying cry for French fighters and boy did he deliver

French fighters and boy did he deliver

French fighters and boy did he deliver [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] if the soldier wasn’t inspired by this

if the soldier wasn’t inspired by this

if the soldier wasn’t inspired by this then he was on the wrong side messiahs

then he was on the wrong side messiahs

then he was on the wrong side messiahs marches on marches on to the top of our

marches on marches on to the top of our

marches on marches on to the top of our patriotic pile

[Music]

[Music] do you agree with our list which anthem

do you agree with our list which anthem

do you agree with our list which anthem did we miss

did we miss

did we miss for more proud top 10s published every

for more proud top 10s published every

for more proud top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to

day be sure to subscribe to

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watchmojo.com [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]