LONDON (Reuters) - The Irish republican rallying cry
"A Nation Once Again" was named on Friday as the
world's favorite song ever, after a global poll by the
BBC.
The ballad performed by the staunchly republican group
The Wolfe Tones, was among a minority of Western songs
in the list and only narrowly triumphed over Indian
patriotic song "Vande Mataram," the BBC said in a
statement. (...)
The poll of BBC World Service listeners attracted
150,000 votes from 153 countries and revealed the
diversity of the world's musical tastes.
Among the rest of the top ten was a Bollywood movie
song, a love song from Nepal, a Tamil Tiger film song
and a pop song from Hollywood singer/actress Cher.
"A Nation Once Again" was written by 19th century
Anglo-Irish army surgeon Thomas Osbourne Davis to
support the fight for an end to British rule. It
includes the refrain "And Ireland, long a province, be
a nation once again."
Many famous names contributed to the voting with
Bianca Jagger choosing Bob Dylan's "Knocking on
Heaven's Door" rather than anything from ex-husband
Mick Jagger's band the Rolling Stones.
Former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos chose
Handel's Hallelujah chorus while Hollywood actor Kevin
Spacey opted for Bobby Darin's "Mack the
Knife."
The BBC said some artists suffered in the voting
stakes because so many of their songs were nominated,
splitting the vote. The Beatles had 55 songs nominated
and Iranian artist Googoosh had 40. Reggae legend Bob
Marley had 29 songs nominated, with "No Woman No Cry"
topping the list.
Europe's favorite song was "Wind of Change" by the
Scorpions, a song many associate with the fall of the
Berlin Wall. The United States went for "Girl from
Ipanema" by Antonio Carlos Jobim while Latin Americans
voted for "Solo le pido a Dios" from Argentine singer
Leon Geico.
Swahili classic "Malaika" was Africa's number one
while Australians and New Zealanders voted for both
Crowded House's "Don't Dream it's Over" and "Highway
to Hell" by AC/DC.
The final top ten list is:
1. A Nation Once Again -- The Wolfe Tones.
2. Vande Mataram -- various artists.
3. Dil Dil Pakistan -- Vital Signs.
4. Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu -- Ilayaraja.
5. Poovum Nadakkuthu Pinchum Nadakkuthu -- Thirumala Chandran
6. Ana wa Laila -- Kazem El Saher.
7. Reetu Haruma Timi -- Arun Thapa.
8. Believe -- Cher.
9. Chaiyya Chaiyya -- A R Rahman.
10. Bohemian Rhapsody -- Queen. "
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Now for the slight neil content: does anyone know if any NY song made BBC
pool's top 100, or top 1000, or...?
Fabio
Yes I'm Passionate
