"Too many national anthems suffer from dreary harmonies and dull platitudes‚" The Economist wrote as it published a poll of the best anthems in the world — choosing SA’s Enoch Sontonga’s hymn Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (God Bless Africa) as the best. Russia was the second favourite‚ with The Economist asking "could anything be more stirring than this performance belted out by the Red Army Choir?"; with Uruguay — "for sheer exuberance‚ it is hard to beat" — claiming third place. In looking for the world’s best anthems‚ The Economist wrote: "What makes a national anthem? A rousing tune to quicken the pulse‚ some pathos to moisten the eyes and that inexplicable something to make it stand out from all the rest. A surprising number are hemmed in by the musical traditions of Europe in the 19th century‚ when nationalism spread across the world — Uruguay’s is the best of the bunch. Too many‚ including UK’s God Save the Queen‚ suffer from dreary harmonies and platitudes about being victorious an...
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