Anthem (Chess Concert 1985)

[pubkeybreaker]

Linda Eder does this best

[andru0617]

wow, I didn't know Jay Leno sang...

[djk1814]

If you want to hear this song sung by the Master in a great version, then listen to the link at the end. He originated it in Sweden/London and no one can compare. I totally disagree with Skiviesman below. The David Carroll version so mediocre, at best. He has an ok voice, but it sounds like he has no clue what he is singing about. He sings every word exactly in rhythm like he was singing a Sousa March. Listen to link and be thrilled!!!

[ushananditha]

holiday dating site # lushfmlk.info #

[GnaeusJuliusAgricola]

There's no denying that this is a worthy challanger to Puccini's Nessun dorma...

[thephantom3194]

I love Tommy singing anthem, but in this version he almost looks as if he's in pain when he sings the high notes... Was he sick?

[AScanberra]

If this is what Tommy can do when he is sick and feeling horrible, my gosh, he puts so many others to shame. Absolute professional, can barely tell. Bravo.

[skiviesman]

He is good. And Josh was good in the recent concert version but for my money no one will ever surpass David Carrol of the original Broadway cast

[whitespirits]

amazing version love it, what do you think of mine looking for tips :D /watch?v=TUtQXEpUNhA

[grobanfan2]

Josh Groban's rendition is the best. Korberg was trying hard to reach the high note and lacks power of voice. Josh was effortless, clear, precise and powerful. His voice is unmatched.

[Felicity1247]

@grobanfan2: You're kidding! Those notes come very easily to Tommy, and he was sick in this performance, so this doesn't count. If you hear his more recent version of Anthem (I Mitt Hjartas Land), you'll be impressed. He definitely has more power.

[rustykenpo]

Great song, great singer. Another great rendition of this song is on Colm Wilkinson's album "Stage Heroes". Thanks for posting.

[VerdantMoon]

Tommy Korberg sings this with the resolute pride of a gentleman in love with his nation. So it should be. Josh Groban tends to overstate and understate in his phrasing, which, while dramatic, leaves a rather fat and pompous lemon in my mouth.

[ouinonyes]

awesome

his voice is so good for this part

Josh Groban is a bit nasal and unclear

[lewelling95]

I would also like to point out the little decorative vocal ending he put on the song. It was like watching a steady heart monitor throughout the song and at the end it bottomed out.  Not a good finish at all.

[ottoan]

You of course pick a performance where Körberg is sick as a dog, singing in pain. Not really fair of you. Watch any of the other performances he's done, like this epic performance: /watch?v=Pdap50L3Jtc Or this performance (towards the end of the clip): /watch?v=zIJNfx-hSO4

Or any of these done in more recent years: /watch?v=t_13HHr7Ix4 or this one /watch?v=RWC20wgq4zE

Körberg walks all over Groban, who is unbelieveably stiff and devoid of emotion - physically and vocally.

[jadeith2]

out of the entire musical it is anthem that really sticks with you, it has such power and emotion behind it.

[ChrisMagoo99]

that's one of the things that I dislike about Josh Groban. His voice is sweet enough, but rather boring. Once you hear one song of his you've basically heard them all because he has no emotion.

[sugordon]

I disagree ChrisMagoo99. Josh Groban sings with tons of emotion - his song Awake makes me tearful every time I listen to it and if you see him sing it on his DVD you can see he is full of emotion. I know many people prefer Korberg's rendition but I have listened several times and I just don't hear how it's better. The clarity, tone and projection of Groban's voice at his performance in London is stunning - in my opinion.

[ChrisMagoo99]

well we all have our opinions, eh? If you like Groban's rendition, though, I highly suggest you check out Anthony Warlow's performance of this song, "Anthem", which is my favorite by far. Warlow is, in my opinion, one of the greatest singers ever

[219moe]

この曲を日本の吹奏楽でやっています。

とてもいい曲だと思います。私は日本人なんで英語がよく解らない­のですが音楽で気持ちが伝わってくるので、解るきがします。

すばらしいです。アメリカの方にありがとう！

[Felicity1247]

I think Tommy is sick here, even though his vocal quality is pretty much the same... He doesn't look exactly energetic and he grimaced in pain while singing. Ow, that's gotta hurt. Poor guy.

[bolarsen1968]

Furthermrore, this song was actually written to Tommy.... Benny had, 10 years earlier, promised Tommy to write a song to him "someday"

[m8a4b]

Tommy has had no schooling of his voice at all

[Brooksider100]

'This guy" - you uneducated moron, sang the original version in the stage show - it has always been the best version and is arguably the greatest individual vocal performance from a musical show ever.

[boffo1962]

Great!... Now where's the rest of it?!!!

:>

[whitespirits]

I think he is amazing such passion in this song, this guy inspired me to gather a sense of feeling for the song please check out my version :)

[SucceorkesterAstoria]

Så jäkla bra. Älskar den här låten. Körberg gör den MYCKET bättre än Groban!

[alixfrances]

this guy is so much better than Josh Grobin who was insipid at best in the London concert

[jcmrush]

totally--josh grobin's singing is totally void of emotion or anything interesting at all!

[GoCougs8]

Well done! Be sure to please also check out and download Brad Robins' version as well! If you love this song I think you will be glad you did.

[sojaan08]

Fruktansvärt mäktigt!

[tonicmass]

Det är så sjukt bra, nästan så man tror att det är förinspelat, vilket det naturligtvis icke är

[stellafromsweden]

this is wonderful !! i am so proud to come from same country as them...long live sweden !!!!!!

[jaap310]

be proud off thomas brolin too...godd footballer and now a good pokerplayer :)

[Luff55g]

This song is the song I'm trying to play on the guitar at the moment. It's pretty hard.. But very, very beautiful.

[downy63]

hello everyone!

I'd upload the swedish version of Anthem, if you want to see it look at my videos and you'll find it!

It's the version recorded for Chess På Svenska DVD!

[sEIGu]

that's what i love youtube for....

[Yumdat]

is this the performance when he was in agony from a throat infection or was it a different one? he seems to be finding this one much harder than the other performances of this song on here

[tomspalla]

If he has a sore throat and sounds like that, I hope I get one too!

[tenoralkid]

I think trying to persuade someone that ones voice is better than the other ones is like trying to make someone think that a certain food tastes better than another - it is about taste and you simply feel what you feel. It is a no-win race=)

[lurker1107]

I guess everybody has their opinion and I watch this because on Josh Groban's version, a lot of people were saying that Tommy is better especially because he shows more emotion. I never quite understood that since Anatoly's character is supposed to be stoic, but I wanted to see for myself this display of emotion by Tommy. Well, I'm disappointed, not only is the singing not as good as Josh's, but there is none of that emotion people mentioned. But then again, that's only my opinion.

[MerlinMadgowyr]

Lurker... All I can say is that this is a VERY poor recording of TK and that at the London previews he performed Anthem at its memorable best. Josh is good but he's not in the same league when it comes to musical theatre.

[lurker1107]

Merlin, I did see some other recordings and I wasn't persuaded by those either. I guess it really is a matter of opinion, and in mine Josh Groban's version is better. But it's not personal, right? :-) Thanks for the info though.

[0llan]

Björn and Benny from ABBA, has done chess. And this song was ment to sing by Tommy Körberg. The true singer for this song is Tommy körberg, because he made it first, no one else. That how it is, and that how it always will be..

[shaunmabin]

He keeps glancing down! I think he has the words in front of him! Just kiddin! This man is a god!

[dexcreama]

OMG!

[icuiidan]

Groban is a joke, compared to the man who originated the role on the broadway cast recording. Mr David Carroll. He is the best Russian Chess has ever seen. Unfortunately, there are only 2 videos of him performing the role here on youtube. but have a look. it's worth it. Groban is a pop singer. Not a very well trained technical singer. And this guy looks and sounds bored singing this.

[yaganagi2000]

i doubt u noe anything aout classical singing..

y condamn others techniques whn u noe nuts about it?

n btw.. Groban is a Semi-Classical singer not a P

OP...

if u cant even differentiate tis, i suggest u keep ur words 2 urself rather thn 2 let it out..

[bachgengogleis]

It's definitely a close call between this version and Josh Groban's one.

[candide43201]

Tommy Korberg voice is so beautiful..not always about power--its stunning..something to be said about a composer writing a role around your voice and for you..

[uberderre]

omg, the only guy who should do this song is anthony warlow... no one hits high notes like he does.

[soawphan]

you are so right there! Anthony Warlow makes you FEEL the song...have yet to hear anyone sing this song with the same passion as Anthony.

[orkanen]

Tommy have the best male voice ever from a Swedish singer.

[kdanieli]

A year later I saw this on the stage in London and it was one of the best shows ever. I believe Korberg was in it. This was the big moment in the show...end of Act 1.

[bjornschirmer]

My jesus! Really rather moving song, if you listen to the text :) Melody is great too :D

[cedarstreet]

I have loved this musical for so long....The Magazine show is enjoyable as well.

[StillGoingStrong92]

INCREDABLE SINGING

[fisk7aal]

GOD, this piece is so unbalanced, it is allmost impocible to hear the piccolotrumpet part.

But He still sound great

[jocelyneskennedy]

Anyone have Colm Wilkinson's version? The passion is intense, the singing is phenominal (as it always is with Colm) and the instrumentals are perfect.

[magnuswarnessmusical]

Tommy is and will always be the man!!

please check out my version if you want to, by clicking in to my youtube channel, and leave comments if you'd like. I would really apreciate it :)

[koojong]

Try Jan Werner- Anthem

[SonarcticAngel]

who is this singer?

[kibelcha]

His name is Tommy Körberg

[3hamlet3]

my favourite song from Chess. An incredibly strong melody!

[tenoralkid]

Although this indeed is a good interpretation of the song, I still can´t think it´s as good as he´s capabable of...

[nathalieheart]

This is so beautiful...Anthem is one of my absolutely favourite songs...

[chills91]

Does anybody know what this song means? I have to analyze it for a project

[tenoralkid]

The Russian (Anatoly) sings it in relation to having to defect to West. He is from Soviet and this takes place during the cold war. As he arrives to the airport, and is just about to enter the plane, the press confronts him, asking why he is leaving. He angrily answers that he is not leaving anything. And then he sings "Anthem"

[chills91]

thank you

[SOCerberus94]

poor quality, good vid

[Atzafugazi]

Phenomenal... Absolutely Phenomenal!

[orkanen]

Swedish Pride right there!

[ShirleyBognot]

Had me in tears... Beautiful.

[summerandsmoke]

Chess is one of the greatest musicals of all time!!!

[charlies86angel]

Wow. I'm gobsmacked. This is the REAL McCoy!

[tenoralkid]

Why couldn´t they have written the song a bit higher for Tommy´s since his range easily covers this song

[obbligato123]

Thanks Downy63. I purchased the CHESS Cassette (double) sound recording in 1984 or early 1985

In the synopsis included with the cassette it read that Chess is a "work in progress." So, I guess Stockholm was the first to hear and see it.

[lukewlkr]

the high note is a G

[BendAndSnapFreak]

G4?

[dwitts24601]

What is the high note in this?

[scepticchristian]

What a fantastic choice in Tommy Korberg to play the lead role in Chess. A really great singer and actor. Thanks for posting this.

[darthewok42]

awesome!

[H05311099]

Singers are always ill!

[tenoralkid]

No they are not more ill than any other musician, but the illnes affects their ability to a higher degree than to other musicians.

[dims7777]

To lureboy: it's because you don't "talk" swedish, you have to "sing" it. Haven't you heard them talk?

[adamjohan87]

wtf :p you can talk swedish, but you stupid americans (or whatever you are) think it sounds like singing. almost everyone i meet ho isn't from sweden, norway or denmark says it sounds like singing when we talk.

[sphefx]

hes joking you fag. and by the way, i think it WAS a compliment to the swedish

[TKrulesOK]

FANTASTIC......

[ahchiu9]

Wow. If Tommy was sick, all I can say is: What an absolute pro! There was no audible degradation in that vocal.

[aforsber]

wow, so beautiful

[markimark03]

he was really ill when this was recorded, you can hear his voice struggling and he's in pain

[Lureboy]

Man! This is great music! How come Swedes have all this talent when it comes to music?

[silhuetto]

"And you wonder will I leave her -- but how?

I cross over borders but I'm still there now."

Beautiful!

[Casar1973]

"Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart

My land's only borders lie around my heart"

Not much to add to that, is there. A most amazing song and lyric.

[allantibbitt]

Please come check out my version of ANTHEM from Chess and tell me what you think.

[markimark03]

he really looks like he was in pain, he was so ill

[TKrulesOK]

Check out Tommy on the "Made In Sweden" videos!!!!!!

[TKrulesOK]

I've never seen Tommy struggle before so he must have been ill, bless him.I haven't seen anyone grimace in pain whilst singing before!I felt sorry for the poor bugger....I've loved him and his voice since I was a teenager in the 1980's-he's the best and could whip the pants off Josh Groban, Michael Ball etc any day!!!Love you Tommy....

[tenoralkid]

Mm, that´s true...I was just surprised,as that tone ususally us very vibrant, but here it just slightly vibrates, very discretely.(and his vibrato is VERY beautiful, so it´s not that it´s something bad when he lets the tone vibrate a lot).but both ways of doing it is beautiful of course, and overall I think Tommy really pulled it off despite the throat-defects..

[tenoralkid]

can´t anyone answer my question about the vibrato??

[ottoan]

Read my comment below. He sings the entire song differently, vibrato and all. I doubt he put much thought into vibrato or emotion for that matter, he just hoped to get through the song in one piece and not drop dead in the process. And did he ever! I just love his smile and sigh of relief at the end!

[SPURS3]

This is 'THE' song...

I sang this as part of a choir at the Albert Hall in 2005, and it remains my most favorite piece of music ever...Just ask the 'old team' from 'Sing Live' Central

[tombaker1222]

Technically perfect. But devoid of emotion.

[ottoan]

I remember seeing a documentary of some sort on which Tommy talks about this concert. It was the last of five in a row (all over Europe) and he had problems with his voice. Excruciating pain in throat and lungs, and all he could think of was NOT to cough. By the way, this is the concert where Barbara Dickson (Svetlana) lost her voice completely and refused to come out on stage. Gruelling. lol

[tenoralkid]

hmm it strikes me that in the word "where" at 02:41, tommy usually uses vibrato, but does he here? maybe he uses a very discrete one, because I can not detect it

[gothiclovemetal]

I don't mean to be a dick, but I posted Josh Groban singing this song and ppl kept posting about how Tommy Körberg is 10 times better than Josh or anyone. I wouldn't say 10 times better, but he does a good rendition of it. He doesn't even sound calssical as Josh Groban does, and also does not seem to have good stage presence. He isn't a bad singer though.

[jvd897]

Note that this is a concert production, not a fully-fledged musical production. Stage presence, therefore, isn't as important in this circumstance, but Tommy Korberg has it in bunches nonetheless. For proof of this, watch any of the clips on here from the Swedish DVD. Hope this helps.

[gothiclovemetal]

Correction on the flawless part. At "2:41" in the song, he sings the word "Where". As he holds to the end of that word, he loses his pitch for a split second. Not to mention, he didn't support himself for that note either. He also tends to be quite nasal sounding whenever I hear him on this video and other vids too.

[jvd897]

Absolutely astounding. Well done Tommy, indeed.

(Also, notice Bjorn Ulvaeus as an embassy worker and Benny Andersson on piano!)

[angelofreiki]

very good... but needs alot more feeling... and diction needs work...

[Garru666]

not the best version of his but still bloody good

[Fredde861]

bloody flawless...can't find one single pitch fault troughout the whole song..amazing

[tenoralkid]

How can anyone sing so beautifully? This is perfect..