March 17, 2006
Would You Please Rise for Our Washington Anthem
Look, you guys all knew we were a hopeless bunch of indie kids. The discussion that began on Tuesday has been decided by a vote (several actually) of our readers, and while the choice may strike some as bittersweet, we will ultimately play the anthem we have, and not the one we might want or wish to have at a later time. Congratulations to The Postal Service, whose song, "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight," is the only official Washington anthem DCist will ever recognize.
Bitter: So, there were some really excellent other options out there, many of which have already proved they can stand the test of time. Also, some of which were composed by Washingtonians.
Sweet: Let's be honest: it's a pretty good song. It's upbeat, so you can dance to it, and old Ben ends up singing like a regular guy, so most of us can pull this off when we're in the shower or out for karaoke. And when you're away from the District and the song comes on, it makes you wish you were cresting one of those hills that surround the city, looking down to find her lights stretched out before you.
Supersweet: Thanks to this, we all have some kickass D.C. mixtapes waiting to be made.
So, from now on, when DCist throws a party, we'll play this tune (which, someone will surely point out, probably happens most of the time anyway). Only now, the DCists will pause, and we will stand, and we will doff our hats, and we will think solemn and proud thoughts about D.C. Unless we're properly boozed, and then we'll dance a little.
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Ok, I haven't been following any other nominations so far/just saw this entry--but wanted to add: "DC will do that to You" by the late Smart Went Crazy.
also "Washingtron" by Tru Fax and the Insaniacs
I guess "Banned in DC" might be too rough for the kids these days....
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I'd been forced to do work instead of surf from the office lately so I only tuned in once we were down to 4 finalists...but I was looking for an anthem. Not a sleepy song like this that doesn't have any visitors, not crap punkish stuff that isn't allowed in the city, and not some band whose leader's apparently named M-I-C-K-E-Y. Shit! I mean Chocolate City would have been just fine, despite only really speaking to some of the city's residents. But how about something like Andrew WK's "I Love NYC".
Anyone wanna start a band? I suck at guitar but am a dope rapper, and can freestyle alt/emo well enough too. Plus, smoke is already my inspiration...on this Green Day, 3/17.
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well I should've checked out native's suggestions...I'd go for "DC Will Do That to You." For the record, I think an anthem flavor would've worked best.
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The correct answer - though one not recognized by transplants and suburbanites - is "D.C. Don't Stand For Dodge City."
"Chocolate City" is a fine choice, but any track with Chuck, Lil' Benny and R.E. wins by default in its own hometown.
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The anthem for NW DC would be called 'and what do you do?'
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The DC anthem is NOT a go go song? C'mon guys, you should know better, even if you don't like the music.
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What Ombudsman and gogo is dc said. DCist's allergy to giving go-go its due props (including the puerile dis of Chuck Brown in the context of James last december - yes, I'm still bitter) undermines its pretenses of celebrating DC in all its glory.
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how can a blogger support non indie rock? it undermines the pretense of blogs.
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Plus it's got the great dirgelike section at the beginning that makes it sound, you know, anthemic. Like everyone gathered together on the bridge of the Red October.
"The Russian disappeared. One minute he was steady 4000 yards off the bow, and then he was gone. And for a second, I thought I heard...."
"Heard what?"
"I thought I heard singing, sir."
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What? Was this vote held in Florida or something? You guys've been hanging out with too many chads...
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I've got a compromise. Lets have either Chuck Brown, Rare Essence, BYB or JYB cover it. Who ever sounds best gets the rights. Correct me if I'm wrong but The Postal Service is from the other Washington.