Our National Anthem at the olympics . . . .

[dave robinson]

What the hell have they done to our National Anthem at the olympics ? Has anyone noticed the pathetic 'ho hum' turn around between verse & chorus instead of the traditional run up the scales ?

[roninnes]

Too right Dave, rather insipid. But the more often it gets played the more GOLD medals we have won.
So for that reason I will live with it.

Ron

[Pat Seaman]

You're spot on Dave, I noticed it yesterday..................It remains the only tune that I can play on the piano and the Olympic version is certainly not right. That is to say that my version may be crap, but at least I can remember the middle bit!

Pat.

[dave robinson]

Phew . . . . I'm glad it's not just me that's peed off about it - it's rubbish, should let the Marines or Guards bands play it.

[noelford]

Have to agree. The first time I heard it I thought the recording had skipped.

[Iain Purdon]

I picked up somewhere that for timing reasons someone decided all national anthems should take no more than 60 seconds. I wonder if this may explain it? Remember the old days when you didn't want a CCCP gold because the old Soviet Union anthem went on and on....

[alanbakewell]

Billy Connolly had the best idea. He said we should adopt the theme from "The Archers" as our national anthem.

That'd get 'em all skipping along.

All together now, Da da da da da da da------da da da da dee dee.

[dave robinson]

I picked up somewhere that for timing reasons someone decided all national anthems should take no more than 60 seconds. I wonder if this may explain it? Remember the old days when you didn't want a CCCP gold because the old Soviet Union anthem went on and on....

I can see the point, but still not good enough an excuse to make it sound like a rank amateur arrangement - it sounds like a band full of beginners who messed up the timing.

[RayL]

Its only a backing track - meant to be drowned by the singing.

Ray

[drakula63]

Backing track?!!!

There should be a band there playing it live!

Speaking of which; the Spice Girls, Take That and The Who (what's left of them) are playing at the closing ceremony. A shame they couldn't have found room for Sir Cliff Richard and The Shadows...