Patriotic use of Pop. 'You'll never walk

Subject: Patriotic use of Pop. 'You'll never walk
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 11:37 AM

We were watching the final wrap up of the Olympic skating extravaganza a couple of nights ago, and as Gold medal winner Sarah Hughes was doing her bit accompanied by an Operatic version of "You'll Never Walk Alone", I sensed my good wife's visible discomfort. Now generally when she rolls her eyes in that matter, I think she's just reacting to a bit of "over the topness" (after all, the Scots can be a subtle people)......but NO, not so... her outrage was that they'd "lifted" the song from it's rightful owners, Gerry and The Pacemakers! (she IS a bit young)

Yup, she reminded me that as far as Liverpool football fans are concerned, it's THEIR song...and Gerry's THEIR guy!

Adding a bit of fuel to her rather odd patriotism (since when do Scots get teary eyed about ENGLISH football?) I blatantly LIED and said "You know that "Flower of Scotland" is the theme song for the NHL's Anaheim Mighty Ducks? (I know it doesn't make sense, but I was in a giddy mood)

She turned so quickly, I almost expected a "Linda Blair incident"...her eyes narrowed..."If that's a joke it's not funny"!

I can think of several other pop songs that have taken on "Anthem status"..."We are the champions", Lee Greenwood's "American" song, and what's that other one that goes "Nah, nah, nah, nah....etc". Just curious whether the artists who sing these songs are granted equally exalted status.

I seem to remember as a kid that "You'll never walk alone" was recorded longgg before Gerry and the... Wasn't it from a Broadway show?

Rick

Subject: RE: Patriotic use of Pop. 'You'll never walk
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 11:52 AM

I was going to say Perry Como and by the looks of this page I amy be right: click here and scroll down. Have to say I heard this so much when I was growing up, it makes me gag nowadays and I was surprised to hear it at the Olympics!

kat

Subject: RE: Patriotic use of Pop. 'You'll never walk
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 12:23 PM

Geez....And here I thought it was the theme song of the Jerry Lewis Telethon. No matter....in any incarnation, it's enough to gag a maggot. And PUH-LEEZE don't play that gawdawful piece of Lee Greenwood shit anymore for any reason at any time on any occasion......

Spaw

Subject: RE: Patriotic use of Pop. 'You'll never walk
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 01:17 PM

It was Carousel, Rick.

Subject: RE: Patriotic use of Pop. 'You'll never walk
From: DonMeixner
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 01:42 PM

I see nothing wrong with patriotism or Pop music or the use of one to promote the other. I also know that one persons throat lumper can be anothers stomach lifter thats for sure.

What I deeply resent is jingoism. There is a difference between jingoism and patriotism.

Don

Subject: RE: Patriotic use of Pop. 'You'll never walk
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 03:10 PM

That true, Don, good point. Speaking of patriotism, I like this quote:

True patriotism is the courage to question conventional wisdom...

just heard MMario singing a song of yours in Paltalk!

Subject: RE: Patriotic use of Pop. 'You'll never walk
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 24 Feb 02 - 10:05 PM

"Carousel"!!? Boy, that is a long time ago.

Just thought of another one...surely the most long lasting patriotic (or jingoistic...what actually IS the difference, or is it strictly in the eye of the beholder?) Pop (folk) song is Waltzing Matilda.

What about..."Nah, Nah, Hey Nah, Nah....etc" Anybody know what it is? They used to sing this incessently at Toronto Argonaut Football games.

Rick

Subject: RE: Patriotic use of Pop. 'You'll never walk
From: Callie
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 02:28 AM

Arghghgh!!! Walzing Matilda! To my ears it HAS become a jingoistic anthem, which is why I groan when I hear it.

What about soccer players using "Jerusalem" as an anthem? Now THAT'S wierd!

Callie

Subject: RE: Patriotic use of Pop. 'You'll never walk
From: SharonA
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 08:51 AM

Then there's the theme song of the Philadelphia Flyers ice hockey team: "God Bless America"!!!

Subject: RE: Patriotic use of Pop. 'You'll never walk
From:
Date: 25 Feb 02 - 09:06 AM

This one gave me a giggle!
My singing teacher has just given me "You'll Never Walk Alone" as one of the next songs to study. I laughed & said it made me think of footballers, but she drew herself regally up to her considerable height and remarked that she certainly didn't - then stated forcefully that "it was OURS first!!". She also claimed that footballers never sing it all the way through - however I have an aweful suspicion that they do.....
The colleage that sits opposite me at work complains about other peoples' stupid tunes on their mobile phones, however, he is an avid Liverpool FC fan & guess what his phone plays.........

Cheers for the giggle

Kris