{"product_id":"9781459754560","title":"The Worst Songs in the World","description":"Author: David Pate\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 9781459754560\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: DunDurn Press\u003cbr\u003eYear first published: 11 Dec 2024\u003cbr\u003ePages: 336\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe best-known songs in the world are violent, sexist, and religious - so why do we celebrate national anthems when we should be rewriting them?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe story begins in a London theatre in 1745, where the modern idea of anthems started out as triumphant expressions of national superiority. They glorified violence, claimed the support of God for their country, and mostly ignored women.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDavid Pate says it's time to dump lyrics about cutting throats, watering fields with blood, building walls with the bodies of enemies, and celebrating the sound of machine guns. From the author's own youth as a schoolboy in Scotland when he was caned for refusing to sing \"God Save the Queen\" to the ubiquity of anthems in sports and as weapons for extreme patriotism, \u003ci\u003eThe Worst Songs in the World\u003c\/i\u003e looks at the origins of many of the world's anthems, including the movie theme song that became China's national anthem and the English tune used for \"The Star-Spangled Banner.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis wide-ranging, deeply researched narrative combines politics, personalities, humour, and vivid storytelling to argue for what we should all want: better national songs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ships in 10 to 15 days","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46819973562526,"sku":"ADS-9781459754560","price":42.78,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0400\/9043\/5742\/files\/9781459754560.jpg?v=1778467409","url":"https:\/\/classicbargains.com.au\/products\/9781459754560","provider":"Classic Bargains Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}