The best-known songs in the world are violent, sexist, and religious - so why do we celebrate national anthems when we should be rewriting them?
The story begins in a London theatre in 1745, where the modern idea of anthems started out as triumphant expressions of national superiority. They glorified violence, claimed the support of God for their country, and mostly ignored women.
David Pate says it's time to dump lyrics about cutting throats, watering fields with blood, building walls with the bodies of enemies, and celebrating the sound of machine guns. From the author's own youth as a schoolboy in Scotland when he was caned for refusing to sing "God Save the Queen" to the ubiquity of anthems in sports and as weapons for extreme patriotism, The Worst Songs in the World looks at the origins of many of the world's anthems, including the movie theme song that became China's national anthem and the English tune used for "The Star-Spangled Banner."
This wide-ranging, deeply researched narrative combines politics, personalities, humour, and vivid storytelling to argue for what we should all want: better national songs.
The best-known songs in the world are violent, sexist, and religious - so why do we celebrate national anthems when we should be rewriting them?
The story begins in a London theatre in 1745, where the modern idea of anthems started out as triumphant expressions of national superiority. They glorified violence, claimed the support of God for their country, and mostly ignored women.
David Pate says it's time to dump lyrics about cutting throats, watering fields with blood, building walls with the bodies of enemies, and celebrating the sound of machine guns. From the author's own youth as a schoolboy in Scotland when he was caned for refusing to sing "God Save the Queen" to the ubiquity of anthems in sports and as weapons for extreme patriotism, The Worst Songs in the World looks at the origins of many of the world's anthems, including the movie theme song that became China's national anthem and the English tune used for "The Star-Spangled Banner."
This wide-ranging, deeply researched narrative combines politics, personalities, humour, and vivid storytelling to argue for what we should all want: better national songs.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and...
Discover your next great read at BookLoop, Australiand online bookstore offering a vast selection of titles across various genres and interests. Whether you're curious about what's trending or searching for graphic novels that captivate, thrilling crime and mystery fiction, or exhilarating action and adventure stories, our curated collections have something for every reader. Delve into imaginative fantasy worlds or explore the realms of science fiction that challenge the boundaries of reality. Fans of contemporary narratives will find compelling stories in our contemporary fiction section. Embark on epic journeys with our fantasy and science fiction titles,
Shop Trending Books and New Releases
Explore our new releases for the most recent additions in romance books, fantasy books, graphic novels, crime and mystery books, science fiction books as well as biographies, cookbooks, self help books, tarot cards, fortunetelling and much more. With titles covering current trends, booktok and bookstagram recommendations, and emerging authors, BookLoop remains your go-to local australian bookstore for buying books online across all book genres.
Shop Best Books By Collection
Stay updated with the literary world by browsing our trending books, featuring the latest bestsellers and critically acclaimed works. Explore titles from popular brands like Minecraft, Pokemon, Star Wars, Bluey, Lonely Planet, ABIA award winners, Peppa Pig, and our specialised collection of ADHD books. At BookLoop, we are committed to providing a diverse and enriching reading experience for all.
Sign In
your cart
Your cart is empty
Menu
Search
PRE-SALES
If you have any questions before making a purchase chat with our online operators to get more information.
