Lots of songs are referred to as “anthems,” but as far as I can tell that’s usually about little more than a kind of epic music style.
It seems to me to be a true anthem, the definition would have to be narrower. I submit that the narrator/POV of the song has to be first person singular: we or us. And the song has to be about the power of Rock. No?
Obviously, the quintessential such anthem would be Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” Then you have Judas Priest’s “Take On The World.”
When I first thought of posting this, I had 4 or 5 other songs in mind. Which of course I’ve forgotten.
Good question. I think of a rock anthem as the kind of song you’re almost compelled to sing along to, preferably with your fist and/or lighter held in the air.
Not necessarily. Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer is a love song. Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. and Creedence’s Fortunate Son are political anthems in the first person, singular. AC/DC’s Highway to Hell is another first person celebration of the rock’n roll lifestyle. Blur’s Song 2 is… well, I never actually listened to the lyrics to tell you the truth. But try and refrain from going WOOOOO HOOOO ! along with the chorus, I dare ya
Here’s a workable definition, courtesy of Google :
As for me, I’d say an anthem is generally moderately to slow paced, repetitive both chorus/lyrics-wise and musical-wise, and features lots of sustained power chords in the chorus. It’s the kind of song that makes the whole crowd sing along before it’s over, even if they have never heard it before.
Well, I guess I’m saying I kinda disagree with that definition: it has to be about more than a musical style. The subject has to be anthemic, I think. I’ll buy Born in the U.S.A., but almost as a kind of anti-anthem.
My point is I think the term is used too loosely, to mean almost any arena-rock, epic ballad. I think the term “anthem” requires something more manifesto-ey.
Twisted Sister - “We’re Not Gonna Take It”
Beastie Boys - “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)”
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”
Neil Young - “Keep On Rockin’ in the Free World”
Seeing what others have labeled anthems, I’m thinking I’ve confused them with Rock or Power Ballads, for which one is compelled to belt out the chorus loudly with sustained notes.
