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Millennium anthems: Your views
 Big night at the Dome - but what's on the soundtrack? |
The song has to be The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love". We are going into a new era and we have to believe that there is nothing that can't be done, as long as there is love. Corny, but true.
Adam Cavanagh, UK
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Emma Blount, UK
The Beatles "All you need is love" A simple philosophy to start a new century.
Christine Lambert, USA (UK citizen)
All you need is love will unite young and old.
Kate Ellis, England
The next century could be one of beauty and peace if everyone would remember to love one another. the Beatles "All You Need is Love" would be the perfect theme song.
Pat Kubacki, USA
I'd vote for 'Imagine' by John Lennon, as it represents a break with the normal order of things that we need to achieve if the new millennium is to live up to half its hype.
Martin Dart, UK
#1 choice would be "Imagine", for the obvious reasons. #2 would "Don't Look Back In Anger", something we all need to learn & live by.
Candida Miller, USA
Don't Look Back In Anger should be used at the Millennium Dome because it very much looks forward to something better - don't look back, just look forward....
Paul Hardman, UK
Prince's 1999 is perfect. It's an anti war song and as we hit 2000 we should all be promoting peace and unity.
Barry Shafe, UK
Prince 1999 - it may not be a particularly "patriotic song, but it's upbeat compared to other suggestions. New Year is a depressing time for a lot of people and playing "Don't Look Back In Anger" is more likely to have them blubbering into their champagne toasts rather than partying like its 1999! I want to end 1999 on a high note rather than the usual "You'll never walk alone".
Kathy Allen, UK
Prince is the only natural choice of the lot. Its a great song, with totally appropriate lyrics... all my colleagues at work think so as well... (please not We are the Champions!)
Philippa, England
It should be 1999 by Prince. At this once in a lifetime moment, we should ignore state boundaries and pick a truly celebratory song. We are the champions, whilst appropriate to a football match, is irrelevant to the start of a new century/millennium. Disco 2000 by Pulp is lyrically a melancholic song about a reunion with a long-lost love - what has this got do with celebrating the new year? Don't Look Back In Anger's lyrics mean nothing - Noel Gallagher admits as much, and Robbie Williams' are hardly better. Play Prince!
Tom Burn, U.K.
Out of the eight I'd choose Disco 2000, but as is obvious, there are some classics not included in the list - especially as I'd rather see things like 'Live Forever' from Oasis from the artists included. My personal choice for an uplifting anthem would be 'Lucky Man' by Wigan's now defunct starsailors, The Verve.
Martin Pollard, England
I like the idea of Queen's "We Are The Champions" being played to usher in the new year, but their song "We Will Rock You" should be done also, just as the two songs are played together on radio. With both songs being done, we will truly "rock" in the year 2000.
Julie Belvin, USA
I would choose We are the Champions by Queen, as it is the most fitting song of them all and it has that reputation of power and glory.
Marc Hudson, England
We are the champions should be played as it is a winners song and is very up cheerful and very motivating. It will put everyone into a forward frame of mind for a new millennium.
Ian Norton, England
It has to be Queen's "We are the Champions". It's a significant victory that we've made it to 2000.
Linda Petzler, USA
I choose: Millennium from Robbie Williams. It's good and contemporary.
Luc Baetens, Belgium
As soon as I started reading the first few lines I immediately thought of Queen. Nobody else would hit the mark on such a momentous occasion. If there is going to be fireworks with it then Bohemian Rhapsody is probably better.
Richard Abbey, USA
The Jam's "Down in the tube station at midnight", for anyone trying to get there ...
Tim Badger, UK
Rocking All Over The World - Status Quo What an opener for Live Aid. Why not repeat it for the Millennium?
Brendan O'Connell, Ireland
Why is a bloke from an operatic and classical background judging if there aren't any classical compositions being considered?
Alan, England
Born Slippy by Underworld. Especially for the line "Shouting Lager, Lager" Sums up England in the millennium.
Andrew, UK
Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks. A beautiful song, evocative of London, the British way of life, and love.
Keith Farnish, UK
If you want to reflect culture 'right here, right now' (to quote Norman Cook)... Why not a dance athem? Chime by Orbital would be a perfect way to countdown the last few moments of the millennium.
Ingmar Collinson, UK
To reflect the nation's feelings about the millennium dome I think the anthem should be "That Don't Impress Me Much" by Shania Twain
David Bradbury, UK
How about 'God Save the Queen' by the Sex Pistols? It would be nice for the Queen to hear she is still appreciated during all this 'millennium' hullabaloo, and the lyric 'No Future' should raise a wry smile, what with the impending millennium bug and the dismal millennium dome ticket sales.
Paul Anderson, England
I think Manic Street Preachers' A DESIGN FOR LIFE would be the ideal millennium anthem. It's anthemic and has a message about empowerment that will bring hope to the people of the next millennium.
James Snodgrass, UK
It has to be Auld Lang Syne by Rabbie Burns. If the Dome is to represent British achievements of the Millennium, then some credit is due to the Scottish bard who penned arguably the most famous song in the world.
Pat Murphy, England
This is all so depressingly and predictably mundane. A rock anthem to celebrate the last 1000 years? None of the above suggestions will last the next hundred years, let alone a thousand. If we must use demotic music from this century (how parochial in any case) why not something of more substance - I would suggest Louis Armstrong singing either "What a Wonderful World" or "We Have All the Time in the World". Neither of them great works of art nor particularly representative of the achievements of the last thousand years of human history, but Robbie Williams? Oasis? Say it ain't so!
Edward, UK
I'm British working and living in France. As an ex-pat, I really feel strongly about the image the UK portrays overseas. In my humble opinion we do not really do ourselves justice. One thing that constantly frustrates me is that in almost every European country I visit, I always see the country's national flag proudly flying in Cities and small towns. In the UK, you only ever see the Union Jack flying in London or on your local town hall. In France, the tricolour is everywhere! Let's be proud of our country and show it to the world. So for me, the song should be a British song. Why not have a mix of several classic British songs composed into one single song. And in that one song, I would love to hear David Bowie's 'Heroes'.
James, France
The only thing this short list tells me is how predictable and boring most people's music taste is. What a yawn!
Chris Hunter, United Kingdom
It simply has to be "Bohemian Rhapsody". No contest! It 'mixes popular and classical music' like no other song, and certainly 'everyone wants to join in'. I'm very surprised it wasn't on the list to start with!
Rick, UK
Surely "Carnival 2000" by Prefab Sprout should be on the shortlist. You'll find it on the "Jordan the Comeback" album. It has an excellent party groove, a catchy melody, would appeal to all age groups as well as both secular and religous communities, has positive, relevant and meaningful lyrics and is by a British band. As for the current shortlist, the Beatles and Lennon tracks are unsuitable (French National Anthem and "No Heaven"), the Pulp, Stones, Prince and Oasis songs are not really celebratory, Queen's is too egocentric (after all, the whole world is celebrating the Millennium!), which leaves the uninspiring Robbie Williams number qualifying just because of its title. So, Prefab Sprout it is then!
Geoff Fielder, UK
Why not: U2 - I still haven't found what I'm looking for. They are one of the most popular rock bands in the last 2 decades of the century.
Stevie, Ireland
Louis Armstrong - "What a Wonderful World". That way you are not just making a living pop star more rich. Also at the turn of the millennium it should be the 'world' that we are celebrating!
Jane Sharpe, England
1812 Overture - big piece of music for a big night
S Carney, UK
What on earth is Robbie Williams doing on that list. It is not a classic, you know it's not a classic, it just contains the word Millennium. Don't make this business more tacky than you absolutely have to, or at least try.
Simon Mottram, UK
What about "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba? Definitely an "anthem" song ... definitely British - and the references to drinking seem appropriate for the occasion!
Linda, UK
My millennium choice is REM's "It's The End of the World As We Know It"
Ben Banyard, UK
Forget the modern rubbish- should be an oldie of some sort, but NOT NOT NOT the appalling Imagine. Lord help us all if that gets chosen. Why not Fanfare for the Common Man by ELP?
Andy, UK
Nirvana - 'Smells like teen spirit'. It is cool, just like me.
Elizabeth Davies, England
I am the Resurrection - Stone Roses. Surely perfect for the Rock Anthem for the millennium.
Andy, England
If anyone was looking for an example of what a sad, backward-looking, unimaginative and insular country Britain has become, they should look no further than the debate over the millennium anthem.
Neil Saunders, Netherlands
Do you realise there is not one woman involved in any of the groups listed for the rock anthem? But then all the selection committee are men, too. I'm not a conspiracy theorist and I love men but really, guys.... I shudder to think that this type of oversight will go on for the next 1000 years.
Susan O'Donnell, Ireland
I think it should be song appropriate to the moment. How about Gimme Gimme Gimme a man after midnight
Stephanie Prosser, UK
How about All Lost in the Supermarket by the Clash. Its hopeless message of consumerism gone wrong should fit the dome perfectly..
Kevin Dolan, England
I think the song "Shout" by the Isley Brothers would be the perfect way to start the millennium. Rock and roll crosses all religious, cultural, ethnic barriers. You could also consider using Strauss' "Dawn" for the actual start of the millennium in 2001. It was good enough for Stanley Kubrick.
Michele Shepherd, United States
This past century has been a drawn-out bloody disaster. There is probably no family on the planet who has not escaped the stupidity of total war. About the only positive contribution to emerge from the 20th century is the realisation that this is a very small planet, and that, like it or not, we are intimately bound to each other. The one song that expresses the wistfullness of this realization is the original Dylan version of "Blowing In the Wind". I don't know that we have that much to celebrate - although we have much to yearn for. "Blowing In the Wind" captures the essence of our predicament at the end of a millennium.
Erich Walrath, USA
The anthem for the millennium has to be I Am The Resurrection by The Stone Roses. Never before or after had a band more aptly stated the attitude of their generation. They provided the soundtrack for the early 90's and showed that a band could be cool without having the pomp and vanity of later bands who merely aped the Roses' style, Oasis being the most obvious example. The Stone Roses were the most talented band to ever grace the earth. Best singer, best guitarist, best bassist, and best drummer. The choice is clear, The Stone Roses for the millennium.
Mark Postlethwaite, USA
OASIS????? You can't be serious????
Margaret, Australia (ex-Manchester)
It should be Bohemian Rhapsody - it so embodies all that is great about Britain and its music. I think it is a bit silly to suggest using any other song.
Richard Orchard, Australia
Maybe i'm wrong here, but Blur's 'The Universal' seems to sum up most of what this millennium seems to be about - media and political domination over a placated public Or maybe white boys with guitars isn't what we should be looking for...?
Joe, UK
My vote is for "The Circle is Unbroken" by the Incredible String Band. Just because it is beautiful, mystical, full of hope which goes beyond the years. Its only mystic folk, but I like it.
Stuart Godfrey, UK
The song to choose, in my opinion, should be a KISS song. Here's a few ideas:- God Gave Rock And Roll To You, Crazy Crazy Nights, 2,000 Man (also a Stones song),
Paul Finn, England
'Welcome to the Pleasure Dome' surely?
Mike Richards, UK
It is 12 years since I left Britain for the US. When did Britain become so naff?
Paul Halsall, Brit in US
To pick one song is almost an insult to our country, and ignores all of the genres. Would we not be better served making a, for example, 30-minute medley of songs which have made us great - from the classics of Vaughan Williams and Elgar, to Gilbert & Sullivan, winding through the big band era to the war years and Vera Lynn, through to the fifties and the sixties when we once more ruled the airwaves, primarily through the Beatles. The list could, if necessary, bring us right up to date with hits from the 90s, although how their longevity will rate alongside the music of the past remains to be seen. "All You Need is Bluebirds Over the Land of Hope and Penzance Shade of Pale." Or something....
Jim Cornall, English living in Canada
I think "Nights In White Satin" by the Moody Blues would be the perfect song to play at midnight Dec. 31st, 1999.
Libby Gauthier, USA
How about a moments silence just to think. Otherwise there will be no chance to even hear yourself think during the rest of the night with all the noise and festivities. Silence just to remember what has gone before and to imagine what is to come.
Mark Gurney, UK
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 | 22 Nov 99 | Entertainment |
| Queen's Dome anthem boost |
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