Michael Ball --Anthem

[Fairisle4]

Michael is my favourite..plenty of emotion, cant be beaten!

[mike4909]

I prefer Jai McDowall !! More emotion

[HedvigRok]

Michael Ball is a god, he is seriously inhuman.

[52ania]

I prefeer Jay McDowall voice!

[SonyImagineStudios]

@52ania Jai* McDowall indeed!

[andymac1003]

jai mcdowall sings the second 2/3rds better, jai's voice is just too good....

[Domnoidragon]

He's great but Tommy Körberg is the man of this song. Love Michael Ball but grew up with hearing Körberg so this is always gonna be his song for me.

[chatbud]

His vibrato is just weird. Quivering...

[scottishlad1987]

listen to jai mcdowall singing this on britains got talent.

[ForcefulBeaver]

@scottishlad1987 Yeah he Nailed it !

[scumblejack]

John Owen-Jones and Michael Ball are my favourites singing this song.

[bonsaipal]

~Fabulous, raises the hair on my neck!~

[crazyphan18]

any one hear LINDA Eder's version its fantastic!

[pstood]

Stunning

[katrinamaz1983]

holy crap mr trumpet!!!!! anthony warlow's recording of this is really good - check it out (but its not on youtube).

[therealgigglebop]

at 2:10 it suddenly sounds like the sixthgrade band started blasting. wtf? He's so good! couldn't they have given him a better back up band?

[jakethewoz]

haha that trumpet player is awful!!! so flat!

[AllanOmarCastro]

bravo!!!

[TheAllience]

Wow That was great. And I think Korberg owns this song. Everyones voice is unique to themselves nop better just different. Michael has always had an upbeat aproach to all his songs he sings including here. Where as Korberg's version of this song is more sincere and hits you right in the heart. But both are great.

[singsongfly]

too bad the band sucks. jesus christ. they could of practiced more.

[Ivanbelastegui]

He is very good, but I still prefer Tommy Körberg. Well, I guess it´s just a matter of taste, Michael Ball does it brillanty, of course. Tahnks for posting

[Zirolia]

So beautiful

[liljee16]

I personally enjoy Josh Grobans the most, but I agree with dlsw23, who says there has to be a "best"?

[laineymac14]

Please also check out the late great Norwegian, Jan Werner's version. Also check him out singing 'Air' at the Nobel Peace Prize concert 2003 - BREATHTAKING!! R.I.P. Jan

[tenoralkid]

I never said he does not interpret the song. He interprets the song in the purpose of bringing a wonderful sound to his own voice, not because he thinks it brings more richness and spirit to the music itself. And I´m allergic to that.

[Commentmonster2008]

I reckon you're talking straight out your arse haha! Check out his work in the Les Mis 10th Anniversary concert... even on the concert platform he pours his soul into that character. I think he did a great job just here. Singing a song from a show out of context can be quite challenging, probably why it seemed to you like he was disconnected from the meaning of the text. I assure you, he knows what he's doing.

[tenoralkid]

There is one reason why I dislike Michael Ball, and that is because he always seems to perform in order to hear how wonderful his own voice is - not in love of the song or the music itself!

[Jacquee9]

Rubbish - He always interprets the music

[06s091]

@tenoralkid Absolutely not true...

Michael Ball isn't even a trained singer - he is an actor.

And he sings all songs from that POW.

He doesn't sing a song to hear how wonderful his voice is - he sings a song to tell a story.

His voice is amazing though.

[scottishlad1987]

@06s091 good point. i love the meaning behind the songs he sings.

[bkyau]

You gotta listen to the other dude. He is freakin awesome. Tommy Korberg. As big of a fan as Ball as I am, this guy nailed this song.

[55jakefoy]

I went and listened to it, Korberg is maybe the worst rendition on all of youtube. He breaks up all the phrasing and goes down to octave whenever he wants. No fun.

[alexmz123]

Dang! This guy can sing anything he wants! Love him to the end!

[dlsw23]

Listened to this Again and checked the comments again, same ol argument "Who sings it better" so made me check out AW and DC's rendition. Its a good thing we live in a wide world full of different talent. Its good to be exposed to so many. I've still not heard Anything that touches My heart like Michaels, although I have to admit Tommys is fabulous. So bring on More Great singers to sing these Wonderful songs so we can enjoy them as each individual performs them. xxo to Michael.

[alexmz123]

hear, hear! I love Anthony Warlow to the max but Michael Ball sings this very well and it ain't chopped liver either. Ball brings his own emotions to the song and delivers brilliantly! This guy is a performer of the first magnitude.

[demifille]

This is one of my favorite songs, and I will go to my grave insisting it was best performed by the late, sorely mourned, and incomparable David Carroll.

[Bearn78]

Just like Josh Grobans version of Anthem this sucks big time. Theres only one man who should be allowed to sing this great song and it's Tommy Korberg!!!

[diemauer08]

That's right. If you love this song you have to accept that Tommy Körberg's version is the best!

[ChrisMagoo99]

you should check out Anthony Warlow's version. Its quite different from Korberg's version and you might not it more, but I do. If it's any consolation, Warlow is 10x better than Ball and Groban.

[destiny2909]

This song is incredible live. :) I've seen Josh Groban do it in 'Chess' and just... WOW.

[jferrante42]

I love this song. I can't even begin to imaging what it would be like to hear it live! Josh Groban, Michael Ball -- whoever. I would need oxygen, for sure!

[dlsw23]

After reading these comments I had to check out Tommy Korberg's version. It was Beautiful but so is Michaels. Why can't we enjoy both? I'm totally loyal to Michael Ball but face it, the world has many lovely voices to share. I for one am always glad to hear a beautiful new(to me) voice. One doesn't have to take away from another. I sincerely thank God f/ all of the talented voices out there. (especially Michaels:) )

[jpg0901]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ghelfaba]

@dlsw23 - I agree with you 100%. I was in a local production of Chess many years ago & practiced along with the US version. Then I discovered the British version. Now we have Idina, Josh Groban, Adam Pascal. I find that some people compare with so much viciousness, wickedness. I've read comments such as: this sucks...I hate this...I sing better than that... - It's mean, unkind, unfair. Everyone's talent has something different to offer. You can so enjoy one without putting down the other.

[therealgigglebop]

@Ghelfaba Thank you! finally someone who agrees with me!!! There's excellence in all these guys' performances.

[Ballettes4ever]

Fantastic !

[Macrogue65]

Good - but doesn't hold a candle to Tommy Korberg.

Korberg sings and acts this perfectly.

[Frosting60]

Kõrberg is just a little whining girl compared to Ball!!!

[anshinmaru1]

Michael Ball is terrific. He is a darling, love that dazzling smile and cute dimples, which you can see best at the end of video. Love you MB.

[lsd2772]

You should hear him sing it now. He gave up smoking two years ago...phenomenal....

[spatzi672]

the whole time i was thinking i know this song,its the musical chess.havent this in years.

[augustusgl]

A very night

[marjimdt]

good but he doesn't hold the final note as long as tommy

[tombaker1222]

Duration isn't everything. Korberg has no soul.

[Rusti10]

I could listen to this incredible voice for hours on end. Power, control, quality. Another one I hope to have the privilege of seeing one day. Thanks for this video!

[singingkidlol]

wow his amazing :P btw how is this ironic that his singing the same year your born thats the same for about 20 other million people in the world hardly ironic lmao, its like me saying ohh thats funny some1 sung a song the same year i was born...anyway nice song well sung lol

[Forsei]

Superb singing and superb voice!

He just makes it seems so easy, esp witht the high notes.

[UnholyMasterOfMetal]

Well, the highest note is a G. It's not THAT high. Most baritones can reach that. But he sings it well.

[Soccerfan217]

Wow, he's amazing. This is ironic though. The year this took place was the year I was born...

[stevencarrigan]

Do you know the meaning of the word ironic??

[mossie53]

Just wonderful....It is time for another trip down under Mr Ball

[cpjc08]

very good

prefer anthony warlows version

[TommyBoy249r]

I'm sick of everybody saying that "Tommy" does the best rendition of this song... just because he originated it doesn't mean he's the best one. Michael Ball is a very talented artist and does a fabulous job

[DPONet]

Well, 'tommy' did make the best rendition possible if you ask me, everyone who sings this song after him will have to accept the fact that they're going to be compared to that. ^^

[Khorney]

Ball does a great job no doubt, but most people do love tommys version because he has one of the most powerful voices and most beautiful vibratos in the history of singing.

[sas9023055]

I agree with you. I have listened to both versions and personally I like Michael Ball's well known vocal vibrato better. His pitch is higher as well which allows him to soar to greater heights on the big notes.

[gypwin]

he's inspired me to sing.check out gypwin

[destiny2909]

I just love Michael's version of this. I was also at Josh Groban's performance of it in 'Chess'. Different, but just as good. The standing O he received was just incredible.

[musicluv82]

I was at the Albert Hall last May for Chess. Josh Groban got a very well deserved standing ovations both nights when he sang this. It was wonderful.

[RUGBYKIPPER]

Still nowhere near as good as Tommy Korberg's original version

[hed99bpb]

Agreed

[thomps000]

No one can touch Korberg's version

[tenoralkid]

Isn´t his vibrato a little bit too big?

[tombaker1222]

No vibrato is too big. It's certainly not as exaggerated as Andrea Bocelli's. From your name, I'm guessing you're into music or study music or whatever, so you should know a vibrato warms the note and helps to hold pitch :)

[tenoralkid]

There was no need to define the purpose of vibrato. I am fully aware of the fact that a vibrato adds personality, soul and energy to a note - provided that it is used correctly. A "good" vibrato is very subtle and gentle, and is almost not heard as a vibrato-you simply hear a beautiful note. But when the vibrato is very obvious, it draws attention from other components in greater need of it. Which, I am inclined to believe, is the case here.

[Khorney]

I agree, with the vibrato he used here, the note went from warm to bumpy.

[tombaker1222]

I won't disagree that too much vibrato is a bad thing - but I genuinely can't see the problem in this recording. It's how he sings most things, and to be fair, he's had a hell of a career out of it.

And as I said before - if you really want to tell everyone how bad vibrato is, do it on Andrea Bocelli's videos - still an excellent singer but uses vibrato much more obviously than Michael Ball.

[tenoralkid]

I have never called his general vocal skills into question, he is fantastic! However, being fantastic does not mean that you are immune to chritisism! And my purpose never was to emphasize that vibrato itself is a bad thing, it is merely a matter of taste and the vibrato used by him here is not in parity with my taste.

[hed99bpb]

Let me put it this way, if the song i silent and pure like ave maria, it has to very gentle or not even there, just like the "Hitman Blood Money" theme, but if its a big song with lots of power, just like the end of this song, it has to be a big vibrato. The last note of this song, is just perfekt with him because hes vibrato is that big.

[tenoralkid]

You are partly right, but a discrete and subtle vibrato can NEVER be a bad thing! You might be right that a big song goes hand in hand with big vibrato, but it can never be worse with a subtle vibrato!

[tombaker1222]

Agreed. It makes a much more fitting ending than a "subtle" vibrato, which has it's place as you say in certain songs - but others, such as this, call for something a bit more.

[shadowdog1977]

Yup. Pretty good here. I'm not huge fan of Mr. Ball's, but when he's not "chewing the scenery" or loving the sound of his own voice, he's quite good. I prefer Anthony Warlow's Anthem, though. BTW, the top note at the end would be an A-natural and no-one wants to hear him sing that.

[LordMoe9]

Warlow does the best rendition of just about any song, lol

[chefguy75]

Flawless execution of all the basics. I'm disappointed he didn't take a higher note on the sustained ending.

[tombaker1222]

He's just singing what's written.

[Stavne]

Wauw - I do prefer Körberg - however, Michael Ball sings it fantastic too!! That man has a great voice!!

[bookworm110]

I love this song. His voice makes me feel fuzzy inside... I love Michael Ball =]

[lampardm]

this is great. I am such a huge fan of Michael Ball... but the Anthem to watch is Anthony Warlow. Incredible. You can have your tommy's and your Josh's... but I will take Anthony anyday!!!

[ninjettifire]

DAMN! He can sing!!!

[MichaelCrawfordsFan]

My God. Amazing. I heard Josh's verison but this one is incredible.

[otherbella719]

so true right?

Josh Groban has an AMAZING voice and i adore him... but NO ONE can match Michael Ball's tenor. Brilliant.

[LordMoe9]

check out Anthony Warlow's rendition!

[nattorientering]

Wow.

[SOCerberus94]

good but watch the tommy körberg :)

[MichaelCrawfordsFan]

Or Josh Groban ^_^

[Pejjas]

He's great! This was some years ago and Michael has just gotten better ever since. I also like Tommy Körberg's version, but that might be because I'm swedish and a bit patriotic...

[mkermmoade]

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH finchytkd! The song is, while patriotic, is sublime, yet forceful. Michael Ball, delivers bothe the passion and the intensity in a manner that few can match--and those few are numbered amaong the greatest singers of our time.

[finchytkd]

'organboi' its brilliant and he can sing it better than anybody else easily!

[organboi]

omg. what a horrible song. just a disgusting copy of Elgar's pomp and circumstance. what a paint-by-numbers cheap attempt at a cheap attempt of another mediocre song trying desperately to pose as something great.

[blurye]

Michael sounds fantastic...it's a shame the brass in the orchestra is terribly overbalanced

[Mario54World]

I want him to sing everything. Ever.

[gfatkin]

I'm not terribly nationalistic, but this stirring song never fails to move me, especially as sung by a singer who puts his heart and soul--and considerable vocal power--into everything he sings.

[benjaminpark95]

"How can I leave her?

Where would I start?

Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart

My land's only borders lie around my heart."

So beautiful!!!!

[DanielRicki]

Superb. What a voice. What an oustanding perfomance. Not to have spine "tingles" and "goosebumps and you must be on the mortuary slab.

[bebingc]

I love Michael Ball! His style -'emotive' and distinctly innovative. Josh's great too but I love Michael's. He has a knack for making every song he sings 'his'!

[katlmm]

what's the problem with the both of you? Do you realize how incredibly pretentious you sound?

[jerisboyfriend]

what a hack!

[ottoan]

This is just awful. A self-glorifying ridicule of an amazing, sad, and meaningful song. Is he smelling something funny? And could he at least wait two seconds for the song to end and the lyrics to sink in before he grabs the microphone, says his Thank you, and grins from ear to ear?

[carriewhite410]

I have to say, although i love them both the same, I favor Josh Groban's version of Anthem a little more. But those dimples on Michael are to die for. ^_~

[martita46]

I think they're both great (Josh & Michael)-- they each have their own "flavor"! But I agree about the dimples! ;D

[martita46]

I'd like to add that while I love Josh Groban -- Michael Ball's fervor is very uplifting!!

[martita46]

One more little thing -- if the detractors would go to Michael Ball's other video, One Day More, they would find the reason he moved so quickly was this followed the Anthem with the entire company singing.

[rexcaliburn]

great song ive performed it myself

[dawsongurl90]

I love him!