Until people actually have to sing it and they realise that they have no idea what the words are.
I’m not sure of the song, but I’m sure many Aussies see this as our national anthem;
Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi. Aussie Oi, Aussie Oi, Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi. (Repeat entill the crowed get bored.)
According to Will and Ian Ferguson, if the theme song to Hockey Night in Canada isn’t available, Louie, Louie will do in a pinch!
And while it actually specifically mentions places in the UK, I think a lot of Canadian university students feel some sort of national pride when listening to “Home for a Rest” as well! And anything, anything at all, by the Hip!
NZ’s unofficial national anthem would be Pokarekare Ana. And no, I don’t believe a single person in the country knows any words aside from the title and “E hine e…” which is sung full blast in the style of Mr Bean’s hymn singing.
The logical second choice would be “Rock and Roll Part 2,” by Gary Glitter, which is so ubiquitous at hockey games it’s commonly referred to as “The Hockey Song.”
“Little Bones” would be an excellent anthem.
Either “San Francisco (Flowers in Your Hair)” or “I Love L.A.,” depending on which side you ended up on in the California Civil War of 2026.
I always thought this would be a good anthem for New Zealand.
a wikilink with history and words/translations for those intersted.
Gary Glitter?
Surely you jest
But they presumably have no problems with it being about a sheep rustler who commits suicide upon being caught and goes on to haunt the body of water where he drowned.
Dammit, dammit, dammit. You beat me to it.
“Everyone else has wonderful songs about their countries. What do we have? Jerusalem!”
How about…
Coranach? (Jethro Tull and Shakespeare).
A Place Called England? (Maggie Holland)
Between the Wars? (Billy Bragg)
To name but three.
Volver, Volver is also in the running. Although it might be bigger among the immigrant community–since it speaks of Return. To an old love–or to Mexico. (Although most of the audience is about as likely to return as my grandfather was to take his Kathleen Home Again.)
Or maybe Viva Mexico.
I’ve heard several rousing singalongs of both tunes. And joined in. Hey, this is Texas! (And our Official State Song, “Texas Our Texas” reeks.)
Ever been to a hockey game?
Do they still play his stuff at games? Does he still get the royalty payments?
Never heard it referred to as “The Hockey Song.” Are you sure you’re not getting it confused with “The Hockey Song” by Stompin’ Tom Connors? (“Oh the good ol’ hockey game/It’s the best game you can name…”)
I have heard Gary Glitter’s song called “The Hey Song” though, and it is indeed played–sometimes overplayed–at hockey games.
It’s sort of hard to confuse those two songs, although Stompin’ Tom’s was my #3 choice. #4, also played heavily at hockey games, is “Song 2” by Blur.
I actually prefer them all to “O Canada.”
I’d be surprised if most people do know that that’s what it’s about.