Latest news with #Wham!'
News18
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Israel's National Anthem Back In Focus, Internet Can't Unhear Its Likeness To This Bollywood Song
Last Updated: Many social media users questioned whether one borrowed from the other- or whether the resemblance is purely coincidental. Social media users believe that there is a striking similarity between Israel's national anthem Hatikvah and the 1996 Bollywood patriotic song Mera Mulk Mera Desh, composed by Anu Malik for the film Diljale- and they are not wrong. Sharing side-by-side audio clips of the two tracks, many users on X (formerly Twitter) questioned whether one borrowed from the other- or whether the resemblance is purely coincidental. The online debate quickly spiraled into memes as users reacted with a mix of sarcasm and frustration. 'This too? Is anything original?" one wrote while another quipped, 'Anu Malik's Spotify is just international radio with a filter." Several posts resurfaced old clips comparing Anu Malik's work to other global hits, turning the anthem controversy into a moment of deja vu. While accusations of plagiarism have been aimed at Anu Malik in the past, this particular case is more complicated than it appears. The melody of Hatikvah was adapted in 1887 by Samuel Cohen, who drew inspiration from La Mantovana, a 16th-century Italian folk tune composed by Giuseppe Cenci. The anthem was officially adopted by Israel in 1948. Anu Malik's composition, which features vocals by Kumar Sanu, appears to echo the same musical structure. This isn't the first time the similarity has drawn attention. In 2023, Naor Gilon, former Israel's ambassador to India, shared an audio clip of Mera Mulk Mera Desh on social media, alongside the flags of both nations. In his post, Naor Gilon noted the uncanny melodic resemblance to Hatikvah, writing that the Indian song had deeply moved him and that its lyrics resonated 'like a beacon of hope and unity." Anu Malik has previously faced criticism for several songs that closely mirrored international hits- from Wham!'s Last Christmas and Linear's Sending All My Love to Toto Cutugno's L'Italiano. In the case of Mera Mulk Mera Desh, however, the accusation of plagiarism seems less clear-cut. Both songs appear to draw from the same source- La Mantovana- a melody that has travelled across continents, adapted into classical music, folk traditions and national anthems. First Published: June 18, 2025, 21:04 IST
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Northampton Town Whamageddon stadium DJ hangs up headphones
A football stadium DJ who gained international fame for knocking more than 7,000 people out of cult game Whamageddon is hanging up his headphones after eight try to avoid Wham!'s 1984 hit Last Christmas for as long as possible before Christmas Eve and are eliminated once they hear Facer, DJ at Northampton Town, was criticised for playing it at the home game against Portsmouth on 2 December in what happened, he joked: "I get contacted by some people at BBC News, it goes a bit crazy on there, and then, before I know it, I'm a question on Have I Got News For You?" Whamageddon started about 10 years ago, and has grown in a popularity through social now has set rules, a dedicated website, and Facer, known as DJ Matty, played the song during half-time in the League One clash at Sixfields, attended by 7,215 the incident he appeared on BBC Radio Northampton to "officially apologise to everybody whose Christmas I've ruined".The story initially appeared on the BBC News website, and then other said: "I've got [ITV's] This Morning mentioning it, I'm getting a phone call from the Washington Post to do an interview, it's in the New York Times, the Rolling Stone magazine, the NME."It's just crazy, but it's all good fun." 'An absolute privilege' Mr Facer's last game will be Northampton Town final League One match of the season against Wigan on said work commitments meant he could no longer take up the role."It's been great fun, a real honour," he DJ, who had played in pubs and clubs, started on 26 august 2017 after a conversation with the chairman Kelvin Thomas."I remember how honoured and excited I was to get the opportunity," he said.A lifelong Northampton Town fan, he said: "All of a sudden, there I am playing music in front of thousands people, it's an absolute privilege."Everyone [at the club] has been fantastic."From the outside looking in, everybody can see what a great club it is, but I can say from experiencing it, their matchday team and everyone from [chairman] Kelvin [Thomas] downwards, it is a real family." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Charli xcx has been nominated for the Ivors
Charli xcx's hit album Brat and Wham!'s perennial festive hit Last Christmas are among the musical works nominated at next month's Ivors, Britain's annual awards honouring songwriters and screen composers. Lola Young was in the lead on Wednesday with three nominations, her first from the Ivors Academy. They included one for rising star, while her single Messy was among the contenders for best song musically and lyrically. Her record This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway is nominated for best album, alongside Charli xcx's Brat, which inspired a cultural phenomenon last year, and singer Jordan Rakei's The Loop. Wham!'s Last Christmas, which was released in 1984 but regularly returns to the UK charts during the festive season, is nominated in the most performed work category. Its writer, late singer George Michael was last nominated at the Ivors 20 years ago. Also nominated are Dua Lipa's Houdini, Myles Smith's Stargazing and Prada by Casso, Raye and D-Block Europe. Harry Styles' 2022 As It Was, nominated for a third year running, completes the most performed work category list. After winning songwriter of the year at last year's Ivors, Raye is nominated for best song musically and lyrically for her single Genesis. Also nominated in that category are Child of Mine by Laura Marling, In the Modern World by Fontaines D.C. and Orla Gartland's Mine. Best contemporary song contenders are Ghetts' Double Standards (feat. Sampha), Pa Salieu's Allergy, Jade's Angel of My Dreams, Sans Soucis' Circumnavigating Georgia and Bashy's How Black Men Lose Their Smile. Last month, organisers said Irish rockers U2 would receive the Ivors Academy Fellowship, the UK-based association's highest honour, at this year's awards, their 70th edition. Named after the early 20th century Welsh composer, actor and entertainer Ivor Novello, the Ivor Awards were first handed out in 1956. This year's ceremony will be held on May 22 in London. Reuters
Asharq Al-Awsat
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Charli XCX, Lola Young and Wham's 'Last Christmas' Get Ivor Awards Nods
Charli XCX's hit album "Brat" and Wham!'s perennial festive hit "Last Christmas" are among the musical works nominated at next month's Ivors, Britain's annual awards honoring songwriters and screen composers. Lola Young was in the lead on Wednesday with three nominations, her first from the Ivors Academy. They included one for rising star, while her single "Messy" was among the contenders for best song musically and lyrically. Her record "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway" is nominated for best album, alongside Charli XCX's "Brat", which inspired a cultural phenomenon last year, and singer Jordan Rakei's "The Loop". Further nominations went to rappers Ghetts and Berwyn for their albums "On Purpose, With Purpose" and "Who Am I" respectively. Wham's "Last Christmas", which was released in 1984 but regularly returns to the UK charts during the festive season, is nominated in the most performed work category. Its writer, late singer George Michael was last nominated at the Ivors 20 years ago. Also nominated are Dua Lipa's "Houdini", Myles Smith's "Stargazing" and "Prada" by Casso, Raye and D-Block Europe. Harry Styles' 2022 "As It Was", nominated for a third year running, completes the most performed work category list. After winning songwriter of the year at last year's Ivors, Raye is nominated for best song musically and lyrically for her single "Genesis". Also nominated in that category are "Child of Mine" by Laura Marling, "In the Modern World" by Fontaines D.C. and Orla Gartland's "Mine". Best contemporary song contenders are Ghetts' "Double Standards (feat. Sampha)", Pa Salieu's "Allergy", Jade's "Angel of My Dreams", Sans Soucis' "Circumnavigating Georgia" and Bashy's "How Black Men Lose Their Smile". Last month, organizers said Irish rockers U2 would receive the Ivors Academy Fellowship, the UK-based association's highest honor, at this year's awards, their 70th edition. Named after the early 20th century Welsh composer, actor and entertainer Ivor Novello, the Ivor Awards were first handed out in 1956. This year's ceremony will be held on May 22 in London.
Reuters
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Charli XCX, Lola Young and Wham's 'Last Christmas' get Ivor Awards nods
LONDON, April 23 (Reuters) - Charli XCX's hit album "Brat" and Wham!'s perennial festive hit "Last Christmas" are among the musical works nominated at next month's Ivors, Britain's annual awards honouring songwriters and screen composers. Lola Young was in the lead on Wednesday with three nominations, her first from the Ivors Academy. They included one for rising star, while her single "Messy" was among the contenders for best song musically and lyrically. Her record "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway" is nominated for best album, alongside Charli XCX's "Brat", which inspired a cultural phenomenon last year, and singer Jordan Rakei's "The Loop". Further nominations went to rappers Ghetts and Berwyn for their albums "On Purpose, With Purpose" and "Who Am I" respectively. Wham's "Last Christmas", which was released in 1984 but regularly returns to the UK charts during the festive season, is nominated in the most performed work category. Its writer, late singer George Michael was last nominated at the Ivors 20 years ago. Also nominated are Dua Lipa's "Houdini", Myles Smith's "Stargazing" and "Prada" by Casso, Raye and D-Block Europe. Harry Styles' 2022 "As It Was", nominated for a third year running, completes the most performed work category list. After winning songwriter of the year at last year's Ivors, Raye is nominated for best song musically and lyrically for her single "Genesis". Also nominated in that category are "Child of Mine" by Laura Marling, 'In the Modern World' by Fontaines D.C. and Orla Gartland's "Mine". Best contemporary song contenders are Ghetts' "Double Standards (feat. Sampha)", Pa Salieu's "Allergy", Jade's "Angel of My Dreams", Sans Soucis' "Circumnavigating Georgia" and Bashy's "How Black Men Lose Their Smile". Last month, organisers said Irish rockers U2 would receive the Ivors Academy Fellowship, the UK-based association's highest honour, at this year's awards, their 70th edition. Named after the early 20th century Welsh composer, actor and entertainer Ivor Novello, the Ivor Awards were first handed out in 1956. This year's ceremony will be held on May 22 in London.
