"I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more..."

[weimar_republic]

Ok, I have asked this before, and people have misunderstood the question. so here goes...

what song would you say is the "worlds song" what do I mean by that? simple. if it came on the radio, would everyone be singing by the end? if not, this is not the song I am looking for. in 5 experinces, all 5 times, almost everyone in the room was singing the choras to '500 miles' in sync. are there any other songs you can think of with this popular ability.
sometimes when I ask they name the newer songs, basacally, Ricky Martin is too new to use, the song would have to, for the most part, be made before 1995, so we can KNOW that it is really an epic. after some suggestions, I will create a poll with the top 10 results, so please only submit ideas to this thread, not opinions.
some suggestions are:

Rule Britannia

La Marsielles

Bethovens #something or other, you know the one I am talking about

I wanna hold you hand - The Beetles

500 miles - The Proclaimers?

Everybody wants to rule the world - I dunno who, but the title sums it up pretty well.



I, of course vote for 500 miles, lyrics provided below {you are encouraged to ammend your songs lyrics to your message as well}



When I wake up yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you
When I go out yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you
If I get drunk yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you
And if I haver yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's havering to you

But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door

When I'm working yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's working hard for you
And when the money comes in for the work I'll do
I'll pass almost every penny on to you
When I come home yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you
And if I grow old well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's growing old with you

But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door

(instrumental)

When I'm lonely well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man whose lonely without you
When I'm dreaming well I know I'm gonna dream
Dream about the time when I'm with you
When I go out well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you
When I come home yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you

But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door

But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door

 

[joespaniel]

"Love will keep us together" -Captain and Tenniele

 

[G-Man]

First of all, mr. republic, it's written "beatles" not "beetles". No one likes bugs.
And I think a good song for that would be the Beatle's "Hey Jude". half the song is singing "na-na-na-na-na-na-na". VERY catchy

 

[JBearIt]

Don't know if I can really judge the "world's song". Although I've been to about 10 countries, most of my time has been in the US so can't really speak for the whole world. But based on large gatherings, sporting events, night clubs, parties, etc. that I've been to, I'd say these songs should be considered. Please note that I am not endorsing these songs as songs I like but just songs that get the crowd to react and sing along:

YMCA - Village People (I really am not endorsing this one!)
We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions - Queen
Twist & Shout - Beatles
Jump - Van Halen
Sweet Home Chicago - any number of blues artists (ok maybe its more of a Chicago thing ).

as for your Beethoven suggestion, I think you mean the 5th Symphony, 1st movement. Of course singing along is not possible with a music piece without words but I guess people could hum or just say DA DA DA DUM

 

[starlifter]

And I think a good song for that would be the Beatle's "Hey Jude".

At one time in the early 80's, that was the most popular song in the world. Don't know about today, though.

Your question depends on the audience, esp. audience age. But I've been to over 80 countries, and my general feel is that Queen's "We will Rock you" is a good candidate even outside the English language. So is Hey Jude. And so is Amazing Grace, which I've heard in many languages, too.

 

[amadeus]

"Everybody Wants To Rule The World" - Tears For Fears (1985)

Hmmm...

How about "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood

 

[Magnus]

Hmm, probably Beethoven's Fifth Symphony - so instantly recognizeable.

Maybe 'God Save the Queen' - although I don't know it (just the Sex Pistol's version )

I do recall hearing the Beatles' song 'Yesterday' as the most covered song in pop music history - so perhaps that - too bad cuz it so damn dour (but pretty).

I put my money on Ludwig

 

[floppa21]

How about the song they play after a goal in hockey, or a field goal or touchdown in football? Ya know,

"Duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh YAH!!!! duh duh duh duh! Wah wah wah, wawa, wawa..."

You know, it's just music but the YAH part is a crowd yellin yah? I know what I'm talkin bout. You're all crazy. Not me. I'm thinkin possibly it is by Queen?

 

[JBearIt]

Originally posted by floppa21
How about the song they play after a goal in hockey, or a field goal or touchdown in football? Ya know,

"Duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh YAH!!!! duh duh duh duh! Wah wah wah, wawa, wawa..."

You know, it's just music but the YAH part is a crowd yellin yah? I know what I'm talkin bout. You're all crazy. Not me. I'm thinkin possibly it is by Queen?

Maybe you're thinking of "Rock n Roll Part II" by Gary Glitter.

 

[dreadhead7]

I'm not religeous, but I'd have to agree with the vote for "Amazing Grace." I've heard that song in a number of languages, including Zulu!

Otherwise, I'd agree with Starlifer. It really depends on the audience.

 

[allan]

How about "Who Let the Dogs Out?"

Really, there are a few songs known worldwide like "We Will Rock You" (Queen); "Beat It" (Michael Jackson--he makes me vomit though); or the latest by Madonna or Ricky Martin or whatever (also make me want to vomit)....

But a "world song"? I really can't think of ONE.

 

[G-Man]

I still support "hey jude", mainly because the end doesn't have any words in it, and the beat just repeat itself, so you don't need to know english at all in order to sing along. Yesterday is kinda hard to sing along with (try it yourself). What's "amazing grace"? Is it something Christian (that's what I understand from dreadhead's post)?

 

[Graeme the mad]

There is the song which is most sung in the world and I think it is the real sonfg though its not what you'll like to hear:

Its:

Happy Birthday

which is translatable into many languages with the same tune

 

[scorch]

hmmm.

'Forever Family' - Ann Beretta

I'll get the words later

 

[scorch]

Searching my mind for something to say, The sun's coming up from a three state drive, 14,000 miles and nothing less than sympathy, I know we'll make it, I know we'll survive. Some might say we'll amount to nothing, But hey man, Let me tell you something, Atleast we're still fighting for something we really believe, And I know that I can go on and on and on. So let it be known, We're young, We're strong, We're stuck together forever, And let it be me who takes you to the water's edge. Forever family!! We're one, We're young, And we're together, Let it be me who takes you to the water's edge. Forever family!! Staring out the window on the west side of Cleveland, The glass girl comes, You know we got to beat 'em, Another cup of coffee to get us through this mess, I still remember you in the red dress. Some might say we'll amount to nothing, But hey man, Let me tell you something, Atleast we're still fighting for something we really believe, And I know that I can go on and on and on. So let it be known, We're young, We're strong, We're stuck together forever, And let it be me who takes you to the water's edge. Forever family!! We're young, We're strong, And were together, And let it be me who takes you to the water's edge. Forever family!! Searching my mind for something to say, The sun's coming up from a three state drive, 14,000 miles and nothing less than sympathy, I know we'll make it, I know we'll survive! So let it be known, We're young, We're strong, We're stuck together forever, And let it be me who takes you to the water's edge, Forever family!! We're young, We're strong, And we're together, And let it be me who takes you to the water's edge. Forever family!!

 

[joespaniel]

G-Man - Its the song you hear on TV at all the firemens' funerals, played on a bagpipe. Its a christian song, yes.

 

[catullus]

The International.
I guess that many wouldn't know the lyrics, or would even reject learn them, it must be the most widely translated and recognized song on earth. No?

C.
"Opp alle jordens bundne treller"

 

[jiml_63]

I would have to say "An Ode to Joy"

A close second might be "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen. I have seen him twice in concert in Europe, and it is amazing to hear 80,000 non-english speaking Europeans singing all of the words...

 

[G-Man]

Originally posted by Graeme the mad
There is the song which is most sung in the world and I think it is the real sonfg though its not what you'll like to hear:

Its:

Happy Birthday

which is translatable into many languages with the same tune

I can tell you didn't hear the hebrew version...

 

[joespaniel]

I liked jiml-63 's selection, Ode to Joy.
Especialy if its a version with the choir, not just the music alone.
That gets my vote.