Anthemic Contemporary Songs
August 10, 2010 12:34 PM Subscribe
What songs from the last five or so years of pop/rock music would you describe as "anthemic"?
I'm looking for recent music like the Arcade Fire's Wake Up or even Coldplay's Viva la Vida.
One might describe these songs as rousing, uplifting, emotional, and soaring. In the case of Wake Up, I think the multiple voice chorus helps. For reasons I can't go into, male vocalists are preferred, and the lyrics can't be gloomy, lurid, or suggestive. Something like the Flaming Lips' Do You Realize would be perfect, except it refers to everyone you know dying, which, while ultimately a profound and motivating thought, is too controversial for my purposes.
This question is for a work-related assignment (hence the anonymity).
I'm looking for recent music like the Arcade Fire's Wake Up or even Coldplay's Viva la Vida.
One might describe these songs as rousing, uplifting, emotional, and soaring. In the case of Wake Up, I think the multiple voice chorus helps. For reasons I can't go into, male vocalists are preferred, and the lyrics can't be gloomy, lurid, or suggestive. Something like the Flaming Lips' Do You Realize would be perfect, except it refers to everyone you know dying, which, while ultimately a profound and motivating thought, is too controversial for my purposes.
This question is for a work-related assignment (hence the anonymity).
Whole bunch of stuff by Arcade Fire.
posted by The Michael The at 12:40 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by The Michael The at 12:40 PM on August 10, 2010
Muse, "Uprising."
posted by infinitywaltz at 12:42 PM on August 10, 2010 [9 favorites]
posted by infinitywaltz at 12:42 PM on August 10, 2010 [9 favorites]
Uh, that will teach me to read the question... but seriously, lots of songs on both Neon Bible and The Suburbs. You could definitely find some stuff from Broken Social Scene as well.
posted by The Michael The at 12:42 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by The Michael The at 12:42 PM on August 10, 2010
Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks"
MGMT - "Kids"
Owen Pallett - "Lewis Takes Off His Shirt"
Jonsi - "Animal Arithmetic"
Daniel Merriweather - "For Your Money"
posted by Jaltcoh at 12:45 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
MGMT - "Kids"
Owen Pallett - "Lewis Takes Off His Shirt"
Jonsi - "Animal Arithmetic"
Daniel Merriweather - "For Your Money"
posted by Jaltcoh at 12:45 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
Although not vocal, most songs by Explosions in the Sky. It's not as "soaring" as what you've suggested, but Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes is actually being used as an anthem by many sports franchises.
posted by proj at 12:45 PM on August 10, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by proj at 12:45 PM on August 10, 2010 [3 favorites]
Seconding "Seven Nation Army" (White Stripes), as performed by multitudes at football stadiums.
posted by NekulturnY at 12:47 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by NekulturnY at 12:47 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
"Go or Go Ahead" by Rufus Wainwright
posted by hermitosis at 12:47 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by hermitosis at 12:47 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Part 2 by My Morning Jacket
posted by lizbunny at 12:48 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by lizbunny at 12:48 PM on August 10, 2010
A few more:
Death Cab for Cutie - "Transatlanticism"
Beirut - "Elephant Gun"
Okkervil River - "Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe"
posted by Jaltcoh at 12:49 PM on August 10, 2010
Death Cab for Cutie - "Transatlanticism"
Beirut - "Elephant Gun"
Okkervil River - "Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe"
posted by Jaltcoh at 12:49 PM on August 10, 2010
Wolf Parade — I'll Believe In Anything
Cloud Cult — Take Your Medicine
posted by Johnny Assay at 12:51 PM on August 10, 2010
Cloud Cult — Take Your Medicine
posted by Johnny Assay at 12:51 PM on August 10, 2010
Rise Against, "Swing Life Away"
posted by verbyournouns at 12:51 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by verbyournouns at 12:51 PM on August 10, 2010
Oooh. This Too Shall Pass is a good one.
Bodysnatchers, by Radiohead.
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:52 PM on August 10, 2010
Bodysnatchers, by Radiohead.
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:52 PM on August 10, 2010
Oh, and pretty much any song by Andrew W.K., though not all will meet the 'non-lurid lyrics' requirement.
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:55 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by Lutoslawski at 12:55 PM on August 10, 2010
"Arms and Hearts" by The Hold Steady
posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:55 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:55 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
Slightly older U2:
Vertigo
Newer U2:
I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
Beautiful Day
...their much older stuff is more anthemic, I think, like "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," "With or Without You," etc.
posted by dzaz at 12:56 PM on August 10, 2010
Vertigo
Newer U2:
I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
Beautiful Day
...their much older stuff is more anthemic, I think, like "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," "With or Without You," etc.
posted by dzaz at 12:56 PM on August 10, 2010
Slightly more than 5 years old (came out in 2004), but: Modest Mouse's Float On.
posted by aka burlap at 12:57 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by aka burlap at 12:57 PM on August 10, 2010
Seconding "Kids" by MGMT.
"Intervention" also by the Arcade Fire, might be a tad gloomy but if not, I think it would qualify.
posted by lunasol at 12:57 PM on August 10, 2010
"Intervention" also by the Arcade Fire, might be a tad gloomy but if not, I think it would qualify.
posted by lunasol at 12:57 PM on August 10, 2010
My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black Parade
posted by downing street memo at 12:58 PM on August 10, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by downing street memo at 12:58 PM on August 10, 2010 [2 favorites]
Oh, and:
- "Young Folks" by Peter, Bjorn and John
- "Bleeding Hearts Show" by the New Pornographers. Has both a male and a female singer.
posted by lunasol at 12:59 PM on August 10, 2010
- "Young Folks" by Peter, Bjorn and John
- "Bleeding Hearts Show" by the New Pornographers. Has both a male and a female singer.
posted by lunasol at 12:59 PM on August 10, 2010
If only "Time to Pretend" wasn't all about cocaine and choking on vomit...
The Hold Steady's "Constructive Summer" mentions getting hammered, but otherwise it's not terribly lurid.
"Float On" by Modest Mouse (at the risk of cliché)
"Ambling Alp" by Yeasayer is really inspirational.
And together with the Jónsi recommendations, basically anything by Sigur Rós, especially from their last album.
posted by punchdrunkhistory at 1:02 PM on August 10, 2010
The Hold Steady's "Constructive Summer" mentions getting hammered, but otherwise it's not terribly lurid.
"Float On" by Modest Mouse (at the risk of cliché)
"Ambling Alp" by Yeasayer is really inspirational.
And together with the Jónsi recommendations, basically anything by Sigur Rós, especially from their last album.
posted by punchdrunkhistory at 1:02 PM on August 10, 2010
Sons and Daughters by The Decemberists
posted by esoterrica at 1:12 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by esoterrica at 1:12 PM on August 10, 2010
Vindicated by Dashboard Confessional and Rooftops by Lostprophets come to mind.
posted by headspace at 1:15 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by headspace at 1:15 PM on August 10, 2010
"Such Great Heights" by the Postal Service
posted by floweredfish at 1:18 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by floweredfish at 1:18 PM on August 10, 2010
TV On The Radio - Wolf Like Me
Phoenix - Lisztomania
Josh Ritter - Change of Time
Band Of Horses - Is There A Ghost
And - as several people have mentioned already - there's tons of epic post rock.
posted by starzero at 1:28 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
Phoenix - Lisztomania
Josh Ritter - Change of Time
Band Of Horses - Is There A Ghost
And - as several people have mentioned already - there's tons of epic post rock.
posted by starzero at 1:28 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
Jay-Z, 'Empire State of Mind'
posted by HandfulOfDust at 1:33 PM on August 10, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by HandfulOfDust at 1:33 PM on August 10, 2010 [4 favorites]
No one has mentioned Polyphonic Spree yet (though I think it might be older than 5 yrs).
Here's Light and Day, although pretty much everything they do would fall under the "anthemic" banner.
posted by Gilbert at 1:41 PM on August 10, 2010
Here's Light and Day, although pretty much everything they do would fall under the "anthemic" banner.
posted by Gilbert at 1:41 PM on August 10, 2010
Trail of dead- and the rest will follow
Built to spill (this is a tough one because that's what they are/do)- Car
Cursive- Bad Sects
Dinosaur Jr (another tough one)- See You
Jawbreaker (almost out of the 5/10 yr requirement, but FITS, oh it fits)- jet black ALSO ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS EVAR!!!!
posted by TheBones at 1:54 PM on August 10, 2010
Built to spill (this is a tough one because that's what they are/do)- Car
Cursive- Bad Sects
Dinosaur Jr (another tough one)- See You
Jawbreaker (almost out of the 5/10 yr requirement, but FITS, oh it fits)- jet black ALSO ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS EVAR!!!!
posted by TheBones at 1:54 PM on August 10, 2010
I've linked it before, but Elbow's "One Day Like This" -- soaring, uplifting, insanely singable for a cast of thousands...(SLYT, live from Glastonbury, 2008). Guy Garvey and his crew are a talented bunch.
posted by MonkeyToes at 1:55 PM on August 10, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 1:55 PM on August 10, 2010 [3 favorites]
"It's All Gonna Break" by Broken Social Scene (the music is really uplifting despite the disturbing lyrics)d
posted by greasy_skillet at 2:00 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by greasy_skillet at 2:00 PM on August 10, 2010
Given that he wrote (or cowrote) the most anthemic song of the previous era ("Common People"), you should try on some Jarvis Cocker.
Also all of Destroyer, particularly the last few albums, particularly also Your Blues, and notably "Foam Hands."
posted by RJ Reynolds at 2:00 PM on August 10, 2010
Also all of Destroyer, particularly the last few albums, particularly also Your Blues, and notably "Foam Hands."
posted by RJ Reynolds at 2:00 PM on August 10, 2010
The Foo Fighters - Pretender makes me go crazy. Everytime I hear it my heart starts racing and I'm thinking of this video playing while being surrounded by 18,000 screaming fans in Red.
Killer chorus.
posted by zephyr_words at 2:17 PM on August 10, 2010
Killer chorus.
posted by zephyr_words at 2:17 PM on August 10, 2010
It teeters on cheesy but the song by switchfoot, "we were meant to live for so much more".....and there are some jimmy eat world songs ....and I remember maps by the yeahyeahyeahs was one to get everyone singing in unison...
posted by madmamasmith at 2:21 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by madmamasmith at 2:21 PM on August 10, 2010
I think this clip of Standing in the Way of Control is pretty damn anthemic.
posted by pasici at 2:28 PM on August 10, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by pasici at 2:28 PM on August 10, 2010 [3 favorites]
The Hidden Cameras - Walk On. It seems to hit all your aural checkpoints. I'm not absolutely sure about the lyrics, but they're included on the page for you to check out easily. Kickass song, though.
And from some very different Canadians: Trooper - We're Here for a Good Time.
posted by maudlin at 2:29 PM on August 10, 2010
And from some very different Canadians: Trooper - We're Here for a Good Time.
posted by maudlin at 2:29 PM on August 10, 2010
LCD Soundsystem - Someone Great
posted by oreofuchi at 2:33 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by oreofuchi at 2:33 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]
Lots of Decemberists; for me, most of The Hazards of Love, especially "The Wanting Comes in Waves".
posted by supercres at 3:28 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by supercres at 3:28 PM on August 10, 2010
Junior Kickstart by The Go! Team
Seconding Bleeding Heart Show by the New Pornographers.
Pounding and There Goes The Fear by Doves.
Zero by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Ashes by Embrace
posted by fso at 4:37 PM on August 10, 2010
Seconding Bleeding Heart Show by the New Pornographers.
Pounding and There Goes The Fear by Doves.
Zero by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Ashes by Embrace
posted by fso at 4:37 PM on August 10, 2010
Slightly over the 5 year mark, but I Don't Know What It Is, by Rufus Wainwright, is one great song.
posted by Bron at 7:45 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by Bron at 7:45 PM on August 10, 2010
Brother Sport - Animal Collective
California English - Vampire Weekend
New Health Rock - TV on the Radio (so sorry it's some fan's Sims video :|)
posted by droplet at 9:08 PM on August 10, 2010
California English - Vampire Weekend
New Health Rock - TV on the Radio (so sorry it's some fan's Sims video :|)
posted by droplet at 9:08 PM on August 10, 2010
Mika - "We Are Golden"!
posted by sarahsynonymous at 10:27 PM on August 10, 2010
posted by sarahsynonymous at 10:27 PM on August 10, 2010
Enthusiastically thirding Kids by MGMT.
Also:
Plainsong by The Cure
Brighter Than Sunshine by Aqualung
Dare You to Move by Switchfoot
And lots of stuff by Oasis, including
All Around the World (you don't get much more rousing/soaring than this)
Stand by Me
Live forever
posted by HeKilledKennedy at 7:05 AM on August 11, 2010
Also:
Plainsong by The Cure
Brighter Than Sunshine by Aqualung
Dare You to Move by Switchfoot
And lots of stuff by Oasis, including
All Around the World (you don't get much more rousing/soaring than this)
Stand by Me
Live forever
posted by HeKilledKennedy at 7:05 AM on August 11, 2010
Yes, My Morning Jacket! Of that era. And they were even in a beer commercial, for god's sake.
posted by ifjuly at 7:22 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by ifjuly at 7:22 AM on August 11, 2010
Since someone mentioned Mika, I'd also like to suggest his song "Grace Kelly."
Seconding Rufus Wainwright's "I Don't Know What It Is." Great song.
posted by Jaltcoh at 7:25 AM on August 11, 2010
Seconding Rufus Wainwright's "I Don't Know What It Is." Great song.
posted by Jaltcoh at 7:25 AM on August 11, 2010
Touches You and Dr. John by Mika are also a good fit for what you're looking for.
posted by HeKilledKennedy at 8:17 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by HeKilledKennedy at 8:17 AM on August 11, 2010
Scissor Sisters - "Fire With Fire"
Do you actually require lyrics? If not, then Afro Celt Sound System - "Mojave"
Or, same group, but with lyrics this time Afro Celt Sound System - "Rise Above It"
Sigur Ros - "Festival" (lyrics of a sort, but not in any language.) Or, also by them, "Hoppipolla," "Glossoli," "Hljomalind," "Olsen Olsen," and many many others.
Matt Alber - "Monarch"
In French: "Vive a en crever" from Mozart: L'Opera Rock
Carbon Leaf - "Paloma," "Raise the Roof," "What About Everything," "Changeless," "Learn To Fly"
Eddie Vedder - "Hard Sun" from the "Into the Wild" soundtrack
posted by dnash at 8:44 AM on August 11, 2010
Do you actually require lyrics? If not, then Afro Celt Sound System - "Mojave"
Or, same group, but with lyrics this time Afro Celt Sound System - "Rise Above It"
Sigur Ros - "Festival" (lyrics of a sort, but not in any language.) Or, also by them, "Hoppipolla," "Glossoli," "Hljomalind," "Olsen Olsen," and many many others.
Matt Alber - "Monarch"
In French: "Vive a en crever" from Mozart: L'Opera Rock
Carbon Leaf - "Paloma," "Raise the Roof," "What About Everything," "Changeless," "Learn To Fly"
Eddie Vedder - "Hard Sun" from the "Into the Wild" soundtrack
posted by dnash at 8:44 AM on August 11, 2010
Seconding Bleeding Heart Show by the New Pornographers.
From Broken Social Scene's 2005 album, It's All Gonna Break or Superconnected. (especially towards the ends of these songs)
Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire.
posted by PercussivePaul at 9:40 AM on August 11, 2010
From Broken Social Scene's 2005 album, It's All Gonna Break or Superconnected. (especially towards the ends of these songs)
Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire.
posted by PercussivePaul at 9:40 AM on August 11, 2010
I've wanted to ask a question similar to this for a long time, so thanks! There are three that at least feel anthemic to me:
Joel Plaskett, A Million Dollars
Okkervil River, Lost Coastlines
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Home
posted by a.steele at 1:50 PM on August 11, 2010
Joel Plaskett, A Million Dollars
Okkervil River, Lost Coastlines
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Home
posted by a.steele at 1:50 PM on August 11, 2010
Aspera, by Erin McKeown.
Scream, by Antje Duvekot.
(not male singers, sorry)
posted by novalis_dt at 9:30 PM on August 11, 2010
Scream, by Antje Duvekot.
(not male singers, sorry)
posted by novalis_dt at 9:30 PM on August 11, 2010
I'm guessing this is too late for your assignment. but I love this question and reading everyone's answers!
Deer Tick - Easy
Sigur Ros - Inní mér syngur vitleysyngur + tons of others (eg. Staralfur)
Passion Pit - Dreams (Cranberries cover)
stellastarr* - My Coco
Arcade Fire - Half Light II (No Celebration) + Rebellion (Lies). and speaking of Wake Up, this from Glastonbury 2007 has got to be the most epic version of an insanely epic song.
And these don't fit your "within the past 5 years criteria" but I can't help myself, they're oh-so anthem-y.
New Order - Temptation
The Who - Baba o'riley
Pulp - Disco 2000, Common People
posted by amillionbillion at 10:27 PM on September 28, 2010
Deer Tick - Easy
Sigur Ros - Inní mér syngur vitleysyngur + tons of others (eg. Staralfur)
Passion Pit - Dreams (Cranberries cover)
stellastarr* - My Coco
Arcade Fire - Half Light II (No Celebration) + Rebellion (Lies). and speaking of Wake Up, this from Glastonbury 2007 has got to be the most epic version of an insanely epic song.
And these don't fit your "within the past 5 years criteria" but I can't help myself, they're oh-so anthem-y.
New Order - Temptation
The Who - Baba o'riley
Pulp - Disco 2000, Common People
posted by amillionbillion at 10:27 PM on September 28, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by telegraph at 12:36 PM on August 10, 2010 [8 favorites]