Topic: Do the kids today (<30yo) have anthems?

[MCRider]

I just built a playlist on my iPod (should be working) of what I grew up with as "anthems". Like Free Bird, Layla, Whipping Post, American Pie, Green Grass and High Tides, China Cat, Edward the Mad Shirt Grinder, Heard it thru the Grapevine (CCRs long version), Flood Down in Texas, Do WHat You Like. (Blind Faith), Ah, Jessica!

 You know stuff like that. Lyric rich, or at least very musical. Without the attitude, the anger, the banging around.

Do the kids today have anything like that? I mean do they shuffle up to the stage and yell the equivalent of "FREE BIRD!"?

I asked a kid that was working for me 10 years ago (25yo, tattoos, etc) to put me together some CDs, which he did. I tried, but it just couldn't do it.

Sigh.

[Radam]

People still yell "free bird!", so you're still "in"

[Coyote13]

The answer is yes, it's just not the same kind of anthem.  Simply the nature of things, music progressed just like everything else.  Just cause it doesn't suit your taste doesn't make it any less relevant.

You could also argue though, that with the inundation of mass media brought forth by the internet and mass marketing, that we don't have the same type of "anthem" because we simply have too many options to all stand behind one song, or even one artist/band for that matter.  I think we still have anthems, just a different kind.

[bikerbart]

what a lame answer.Its because the music industry today sucks.Back in the day the artists had to have talent to get anywhere,nowadays all you need is the 'look' or money.Dont get me wrong there are a lot of talented musicians out there,but just dont look for em on the top 40 stations.The best musicians I see are in small clubs and they struggle unlike these no talent morons you see all over the media(Lady gaga,bieber,pop crap,so called soul ,etc,etc.)

[MCRider]

The answer is yes, it's just not the same kind of anthem.  Simply the nature of things, music progressed just like everything else.  Just cause it doesn't suit your taste doesn't make it any less relevant.

You could also argue though, that with the inundation of mass media brought forth by the internet and mass marketing, that we don't have the same type of "anthem" because we simply have too many options to all stand behind one song, or even one artist/band for that matter.  I think we still have anthems, just a different kind.

Give me an example. I'll punch it up on you tube and promise I won't make snide remarks.

[Greggo]

I'm 26, and I firmly believe most new music is garbage.  I listen to rock, like led zep, hendrix, and zappa.  I'd say my anthem is over the hills and far away.  I live for my dreams, and a pocket full of gold!

[MCRider]

I'm 26, and I firmly believe most new music is garbage.  I listen to rock, like led zep, hendrix, and zappa.  I'd say my anthem is over the hills and far away.  I live for my dreams, and a pocket full of gold!

Mellow is the man who knows what he's been missin',
many many men can't see the open road.

some ride like the VooDoo Chile

on the Stairway to Heaven.

No No don't eat that yellow snow!   

[MCRider]

Oh and I should define: an "anthem" would be 6 minutes plus in length, the longer the better, with at least a 2 minute instrumental. Shorter exceptions exist like "the thrill is gone" don't quite make the time limit, but are anthems none the less.

[coldwave007]

I'm not sure that anthems as you categorize them do exist anymore.  There's still iconic songs though. 

Right off the top of my head, I would think "The youth of the nation" by POD is a modern day anthem (90s, but whatev).  Extremely iconic and tends to "resonate" with listeners. 

Voodoo by Godsmack certainly fits the length, but isn't quite "anthem" level.  Damn close, but not quite. 

I'll ponder this and check out my playlists at home.  For what it's worth, I tend to listen to a lot of older music too but still keep a fair bit of the modern stuff mixed in.

[greenjeans]

You should get a few My Morning Jacket tunes - somewhat modern/current, at least as when compared to Freebird.   They dsefinitely channel a bit of that era.
here's a few good choices - that easily stretch into 6-10 minutes of pure fury their epic live shows:

song: Run Thru - album: Run Thru
song: One Big Holiday - album:  It Still Moves
Song: Donadonte - Album: Z
song: Steam Engine - album:  It Still Moves  Or, a 12 minute version in a thunderstorm on the 2004 Live at Bonnaroo CD    I'll never forget that show. 

But man - it's tough to come up with any.   It will be in my mind all night - I'll try and think of some more.

[SOHC4ever]

Oh and I should define: an "anthem" would be 6 minutes plus in length, the longer the better, with at least a 2 minute instrumental. Shorter exceptions exist like "the thrill is gone" don't quite make the time limit, but are anthems none the less.

I take issue with your definition, sir!
It's hard to argue that "We Will Rock You" is not an anthem, and it's <6m, IIRC. I also don't think that a song should be DQ'd on account of not having an instrumental bit.

Jay Z's "Ghetto Anthem" certainly wants to be an anthem. Fight For Your Right To Party by the Beastie Boys has anthem written all over it, but so does that whole album. Rhymin' and Stealin' and No Sleep 'Till Brooklyn jump out at me.

Come to think of it, all of that Rick Rubin produced rap is some kind of re-mixed rock anthem. I'd say that Jay Z's 99 problems (R.Rubin produced) is more of an "Anthem" than "Ghetto Anthem".

Least anyone dismiss me as one-dimentional, I'm keenly aware that classic rock is the home of the anthem, and it likely always will be. Voodoo Chile takes the cake ("Chop it down with the edge of my hand..."), but there's so much going on in there anthem-wise. "Piece of my heart", "Break on Through'. Sh*t, how 'bout "Peace Frog"?
Imagine is kind of an anthem, but I'd say a different kind.

Largely, it's all about theme. The song ought to be epic. Themes of heroism, high on emotion... the songs that just kick ass and make you bleed from the soul.

For what it's worth, I'm going to be in an amateur boxing match this coming Sep. 10th. It will be my first and likely my last. A charity fight to raise money for my rugby team. After careful consideration, my entrance music will be "Can't You Hear Me Knockin'" by the Stones. An anthem if there ever was one. I picked it because it comes on strong right away and never lets up.

A list of other songs that I personally consider anthems, and that you might want to look up:

Know Your Enemy - Rage Against the Machine
Attitude - The Misfits
Somebody to Love - Queen
(Bigger than) Hip Hop - Dead Prez
Long Way to the Top - AC/DC
Come Together - The Beatles
Evenflow - Pearl Jam
Like A Hurricane - Neil Young (this is only a borderline anthem)
Gin and Juice - Snoop Dogg
Kick out the Jams - MC5

Excluded from the list, but still my personal theme song: (Get on up, I feel like being a) Sex Machine - James Brown

[MCRider]

Ha! Its my playlist, MY DEFINITION!  Change my definition, you can't play.   

Just kidding around. Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll be listening.

I have to admit a personal bias to electric guitar, Duane Allman style. and keyboards, Nicky Hopkins style, hence the instrumental requirement,  which truly transcend...

[SOHC4ever]

Ha! Its my playlist, MY DEFINITION!  Change my definition, you can't play.   

Just kidding around. Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll be listening.

I have to admit a personal bias to electric guitar, Duane Allman style. and keyboards, Nicky Hopkins style, hence the instrumental requirement,  which truly transcend...

Late entries:
The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary
The Tragically Hip - New Orleans is Sinking

The Stones, of course, are the kings of the rock anthem:
Gimmie Shelter, Sympathy for the Devil and the aforementioned Can't You Hear Me Knockin'.

For the Grunge Generation:

Pearl Jam - Alive
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Soundgarden - Superunkown
Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Suck My Kiss

Upon reflection, I think that the definition of "anthem" has changed. Just like the definition of "Rock".

[bikerbart]

sorry,do not say tragically hip,I will puke.

[bill440cars]

  I'm just looking and reading, on this one, as I haven't seen anything mentioned, that is from MY period. I guess THAT shows my age. 

[bikerbart]

Sorry about the rude tragically hip reference.I moved 5 years ago to Bham which is about 20 min from Canadia and since then all the commercial rock stations seem like they have to play the Hip on the hour every hour and since then I hate em.I used to have nothing against their music until I moved here.I understand the whole CanCon thing(my wife is from Vancouver)But there are plenty of good bands from Canada that they dont have to play just Tragically F$*&#ing Hip All the Time!Wheeew,glad I got that off my chest.

[bikerbart]

Also.65' Satisfaction by the Stones

[bikerbart]

The End,by the Doors.

[Retro Rocket]

Nickelback aren't bad for modern anthems......  I like "figured you out"

Nickelback - Figured You Out [Official Video + Lyrics]

Actually quite a lot of their stuff is anthem like.....

[dave500]

Give me an example. I'll punch it up on you tube and promise I won't make snide remarks.

justin bieber.

[CBGhia]

I see a whole lot of 90'2 stuff posted, but not much from the 2000's.  Here is one i think might fit the bill.  It does for me, but maybe not for everyone.

White Stripes Seven nation Army
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j7huh5Egew

I hope that's the right link,  I can't see you tube at work.

[MCRider]

Many of the entries don't fit the criteria. Not long enough. No musicality. Short instrumentals (if any) which are nothing but loud hard strumming or flat picking a simple melody.

Others are proving my point, Doors, Stones, all pre "young kids".

Can't say Synmpathy for the Devil is a rock anthem (my criteria) as in its natural form its not long enough. I don't know that anything from the Stones as originally written, is an anthem. All short pop formats. They may play them longer live, but that doesn't count.

To me an anthem is written for its own sake, not to fit a pop format. It demonstrates emotion and musicality as written, Makes no excuse for being long to begin with. Edward the Mad Shirt Grinder is nearly symphonic in format. Never hit the pop charts.

Still listening.

[Coyote13]

Based on your definition I'm gonna have to say a band like Widespread Panic would fit the criteria, but you'll probably disagree because the music isn't technically the "same."  The songs are long, the instrumentation kicks a$$, but the music is jam, not pure rock.  Check 'em out and let me know what you think.

Honestly, based on your criteria for an "anthem" I would have to say no, there aren't really any current ones.  Just like any other phase or fad that comes and goes, it had its day and then everyonie found the next, newest, "coolest" thing.

[MCRider]

Based on your definition I'm gonna have to say a band like Widespread Panic would fit the criteria, but you'll probably disagree because the music isn't technically the "same."  The songs are long, the instrumentation kicks a$$, but the music is jam, not pure rock.  Check 'em out and let me know what you think.

Honestly, based on your criteria for an "anthem" I would have to say no, there aren't really any current ones.  Just like any other phase or fad that comes and goes, it had its day and then everyonie found the next, newest, "coolest" thing.

Now that's some good stuff! Looking them up on Wikipedia, I see they started in 1986, so getting a little age on them already, but still fresh. I see also their "affiliates" are the Grateful Dead and surviving members and the Allman Brothers. So right down my ally. Listening to Love Tractor now.

This is a self serving thread, and I have to realize I'm old and I'm not going to like some stuff for that reason alone. You can never go back.  Among others.

Anthems will evolve past what i like i suppose. But, good music is eternal, skill in the craft is obvious to any ear. Hence the sell out crowds for aging rockers.

[Coyote13]

Hey man, I'm glad you like Panic, they kill it live.  May have been a little late to it though, lots of rumors of this being their last tour. Check out Panic en la Playa and you'll see why everybody thinks that.

I'll try to think of some other stuff you might enjoy and post back here