Ridiculous History: “History’s Weirdest National Anthems” (March 3, 2026)

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In this lively episode of Ridiculous History, hosts Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown explore the bizarre, wild, and surprisingly moving world of national anthems. With a mix of humor and historical deep-dives, they uncover the origins and oddities behind some of history’s weirdest anthems—why they endure, who wrote them (or didn’t), and how they reflect the tangled stories of the nations they represent. Research for this episode was provided by associate “Max the Madman” Williams.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Makes an Anthem?

• The episode opens (04:01) with musings on the word “anthem”—its epic origin and how it’s akin to a saga or even propaganda.
  • Quote [05:33]: “Propaganda.” — Ben Bowlin
• Ben recounts a British insult: “Oh, spare me your anthem.” (04:26) Used to complain about someone being too long-winded—a witty example of how “anthem” now means more than just a song.

2. The U.S. National Anthem’s Place in the World

• The hosts reflect on “The Star-Spangled Banner,” its off-puttingly difficult melody, and its overexposure at sports events (06:48–08:52).
  • Quote [07:07]: “I think we maybe get a little overexposed to it. Sort of like ‘Hotel California’ or something.” — Noel Brown
  • Discuss bad performances (Roseanne, Fergie, Ingrid Andress’s infamous MLB incident at 07:52).
• Despite its flaws, Ben and Noel agree it’s not the most ridiculous anthem out there and at least more singable than some.

3. The Czech and Slovak Split: When a Country Divides Its Anthem

[10:06–18:23]

• Focus: Czechoslovakia’s peaceful split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and how they divided their national anthem “Where My Home Is.”
• History of the region, the “Velvet Revolution,” and the “Velvet Divorce.”
  • Quote [15:31]: “They might not be the best roommates or they might need to Fleetwood Mac style, go their own way.” — Ben Bowlin
• The original anthem mixed a Czech opera and a Slovak folk song. After the split, each nation took one verse, with Slovakia renaming theirs to “Lightning over the Tatras.”
  • Quote [18:01]: “The Czech Republic adopted the first verse as its new anthem ... and Slovakia adopted the second verse ... now called ‘Lightning over the Tatras,’ which is clearly a more badass name than ‘Where My Home Is.’” — Noel Brown

4. Wilhelmus: The World’s Oldest National Anthem? (Netherlands)

[21:36–30:32]

• “Wilhelmus” has roots in the Dutch fight against Spanish occupation. Its authorship is a mystery (multiple claimants; nobody took credit during their lifetime).
• Originated as an upper-class royalist song, only widely embraced during WWII under Nazi occupation.
  • Quote [27:06]: “This was actually a pretty controversial pick ... because it was considered a little too kind of of the upper class. And a national anthem [is] supposed to be for everybody.” — Noel Brown
• Japan disputes the “oldest anthem” claim, since their anthem’s poem is older, but the melody was recorded later.
  • Quote [29:49]: “Japan ... has a bone to pick about the idea of oldest national anthem.” — Ben Bowlin

5. South Africa’s Multilingual Masterpiece

[33:50–38:18]

• “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” (“God Bless Africa”), created by Enoch Sontonga in 1897 as a hymn for his school choir, became a liberation anthem adopted by the ANC in 1925.
  • Quote [35:31]: “[It] became a unifying liberation anthem, a hymn to an anthem again. ... The apartheid government tries to ban anybody from singing this anthem. So naturally, everybody wants to sing it.” — Ben Bowlin
• The modern anthem fuses five languages: Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans, and English. Its complexity mirrors the diversity and unity of post-Apartheid South Africa.
  • Quote [37:35]: “We as knuckleheaded ... Americans ... have a hard time learning our own national hymn that is just in one language ... this anthem, it has five different languages.” — Ben Bowlin

6. Wordless Anthems & Musical Pride

[38:18–40:01]

• Spain, San Marino, Kosovo, Bosnia & Herzegovina all have national anthems without words.
• Discussion of how music alone can instill national pride, painting pictures without lyrics.
  • Quote [38:58]: “It’s like, we don’t need lyrics. We can communicate this national pride with melody alone.” — Noel Brown
• Analogy to classical music and bands with instrumental tracks (see Explosions in the Sky, Tortoise).

7. Should America Change Its Anthem?

[40:01–41:38]

• Ben asks whether the U.S. could or should change its anthem—and what might replace it, jokingly suggesting “Bawitaba” (Kid Rock).
  • Quote [40:20]: “Could the US Change its national anthem, and should it?” — Ben Bowlin
  • Quote [40:25]: “The gees with the 40s and the chicks with beepers. That doesn't resonate, you think, with the common man.” — Ben Bowlin
• Many states have their own songs; Georgia’s is “Georgia on My Mind,” not “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” to Noel’s disappointment.
  • Quote [41:29]: “It is the ‘Devil Went Down to Georgia’ by the Charlie Daniels Band. ... It better be.” — Noel Brown

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [05:33] “Propaganda.” — Ben Bowlin, on anthems as political tools.
• [07:07] “I think we maybe get a little overexposed to it. Sort of like ‘Hotel California’ or something.” — Noel Brown
• [15:31] “They might not be the best roommates or they might need to Fleetwood Mac style, go their own way.” — Ben Bowlin
• [18:01] “...now called ‘Lightning over the Tatras,’ which is clearly a more badass name than ‘Where My Home Is.’” — Noel Brown
• [27:06] “Controversial pick ... national anthem supposed to be for everybody.” — Noel Brown
• [35:31] “A unifying liberation anthem ... The apartheid government tries to ban anybody from singing this anthem. So naturally, everybody wants to sing it.” — Ben Bowlin
• [38:58] “It’s like, we don’t need lyrics. We can communicate this national pride with melody alone.” — Noel Brown
• [40:20] “Could the US Change its national anthem, and should it?” — Ben Bowlin

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 04:01 – What is an anthem? British wit and propaganda angle
• 06:48–08:52 – The U.S. anthem: exposure, live performances gone wrong
• 10:06–18:23 – The Czecho/Slovak anthem split, Velvet Revolution, “Lightning over the Tatras”
• 21:36–30:32 – The curious case of “Wilhelmus,” the world’s oldest anthem?, authorship debates
• 33:50–38:18 – South Africa’s anthem: history, languages, unity, apartheid resistance
• 38:18–40:01 – Wordless national anthems, the power of melody
• 40:01–41:38 – Should the U.S. replace its anthem? State songs vs. anthems

Overall Tone & Closing Thoughts

The episode is a characteristic blend of tongue-in-cheek humor and genuine admiration for the rich, odd, and poignant history behind national anthems. The hosts celebrate the weirdness while calling out problematic origins and the ways in which music—words or not—binds and represents people.

“I can’t wait to hear more about anthems.” — Ben Bowlin (41:42)

If you love stories that are at once ridiculous and deeply human, this episode hits every high note.