Skip to content
    skip to navigation

    Classic FM

    Listen

    On Air Now

    Classic FM's More Music Breakfast with Tim Lihoreau 6am - 9am

    Classic FM's More Music Breakfast with Tim Lihoreau

    Now Playing

    Clarinet Concerto No.1 (1) Antonio Vivaldi Download 'Clarinet Concerto No.1 (1)' on iTunes

    Clarinet Concerto No.1 (1) artwork
    • Playlist
    • Schedule
    • Home
    • Radio
    • News
    • Discover Music
    • Composers
    • Artists
    • Lifestyle
    • Win
    • Charity
    • Podcasts
    • Events
    • Dating
    • Follow us on:
      Follow Classic FM on Twitter
      Follow Classic FM on Facebook
      Follow Classic FM on Instagram
      Follow Classic FM on Youtube

    Artists

    Russell Watson

    • Russell Watson Home
    • News
    • Pictures
    • More Artists

    Russell Watson: Anthems - an album guide

    Inspired by the nation’s patriotism in the Olympics and at the Queen’s Jubilee, Classic BRITs-nominated Russell Watson’s album of rousing British music is sure to get you waving a flag.

    1. russell Watson

      1. Race To The End

      Kicking off the album in an Olympic style, Russell’s reworked the anthem ‘Chariots of Fire’ and given it an inspiring set of lyrics. Perfect for getting the athletes in the mood.

    2. Rugby

      2. Swing Low Sweet Chariot

      Another sporting classic, Russell shows off his operatic side in his personal take on the classic rugby favourite.

    3. Freddie Mercury

      3. We Are The Champions

      Quite a different version from Queen’s original track from 1977 on their News of the World Album! Covering a classic is always risky but Russell puts his own stamp on this iconic piece.

    4. Russell Watson

      4. World In Union

      You might recognise the chorus tune from Holst’s ‘Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity’, otherwise known as ‘I vow to thee my country’. This incarnation is a pop-inspired operatic fusion, capturing the patriotic spirit behind the words.

    5. church hymn

      5. Abide With Me

      A beautiful hymn with a full orchestra accompanying Russell’s smooth voice. And with a rousing key change at the end, it moves from peaceful classic to bold musical statement by the end.

    6. slieve league

      6. Danny Boy

      It’s an Irish ballad, in a relaxing pared down version. Starting with piano and Russell’s hushed tones, the orchestra creeps in gradually, giving us space to listen carefully to the words.

    7. Vera Lynn

      7. White Cliffs Of Dover-with Dame Vera Lynn

      There’ll be bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover! The popular World War II song, made famous by Dame Vera Lynn in her 1942 recording, is given a modern reworking – and Dame Vera makes an appearance once more.

    8. Welsh

      8. Calon Lan

      The hymn-turned-rugby chant is now sung before almost every Welsh rugby union Test match. He may not be singing in Welsh, but the English translation is still very beautiful.

    9. england green and pleasant land

      9. Jerusalem

      And what patriotic album would be complete without a rousing chorus of Jerusalem to get the pulse racing? Russell puts the power in his voice to good use in this classic hymn.

    10. Scotland castle

      10. Flower of Scotland

      Another song performed in the London 2012 Opening Ceremony, Russell is moving round the UK and adopting the wealth of traditional songs as his own. Flower of Scotland was only written in 1965, but it’s been adopted as an unofficial Scottish national anthem.

    11. Union Jack Bunting

      11. Land of Hope and Glory

      Union Jacks at the ready for Elgar’s traditional masterpiece! Russell is accompanied by a choir to capture the full glory of the music.

    12. pastoral scene heather

      12. Nimrod

      A tear-jerking British orchestral favourite, where Russell proves his speaking voice is as poetic as his singing voice. He recites Rudyard Kipling’s ‘If’ over the lush strings.

    13. Strictly Come Dancing

      13. Proud

      “What have you done today to make you feel proud?” Moving away from the Romantic orchestral favourites, this is an operatic take on Heather Small’s brilliant anthem, ‘Proud'.

    14. The Queen

      14. God Save The Queen

      A fitting end to such a patriotic album. All rise for Russell’s take on the National Anthem.

    Russell Watson News

    See more Russell Watson News

    Aled Jones and Russell Watson's new music video

    Exclusive: Aled Jones and Russell Watson’s video for ‘Where Have All The Flowers Gone’

    Videos

    russell watson interview

    Russell Watson: "New material is very, very exciting"

    The Queen

    Coronation concerts line-up confirmed

    Katherine Jenkins

    Russell Watson Pictures

    See more Russell Watson Pictures

    Russell Watson and the AC Academy choirs perform

    Russell Watson and AC Academy at Symphony Hall, Birmingham: rehearsal and concert

    Coronation Gala Concert

    The Queen's Coronation Festival Gala

    Paul McCartney

    Classical Music Rocks! 20 of the best rock and classical crossovers

    Russell Watson Album Reviews

    See more Russell Watson Album Reviews

    Russell Watson La Voce

    Russell Watson gets serious

    Russell Watson Guides

    See more Russell Watson Guides

    biography images cfm

    Russell Watson: To Live Or Die

    Russell Watson

    Russell Watson Q & A

    Back to top

    Also on Classic FM

    • Listen to Global Player
    • Alexander Armstrong on Classic FM
    • Google Doodle
    • Quizzes
    • Mozart
    • Debussy
    • Music theory
    • Instruments
    • Classic FM Live
    • Brahms
    • Vivaldi
    • Bach
    • LBC News
    • Tchaikovsky
    • Chopin
    • Andrea Bocelli
    • Florence Price
    • Beethoven
    • Best classical music
    • Classic FM Requests
    • Best pianists
    • Harry Potter music
    • Saturday Night at the Movies
    • Star Wars soundtrack
    • Composer or pasta
    • Music for Studying
    • Best violinists
    • Classical music tearjerkers
    • Relaxing classical

    Useful Links

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • How To Listen
    • About Classic FM
    • Company Details
    • Cookies
    • Privacy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Advertise
    • Global Jobs

    Download the app

    Get it on the app store Get it on Google Play

    Follow Us

    Follow Classic FM on Twitter
    Follow Classic FM on Facebook
    Follow Classic FM on Instagram
    Follow Classic FM on Youtube
    © Global 2023
    30 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LA
    Privacy Manager