Anthem for the Year 2000 explained

Anthem for the Year 2000
Cover:	Anthemfortheyear2000.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Silverchair
Album:	Neon Ballroom
Released:	February 1999
Genre:	Heavy metal^[1] arena rock^[2]
Length:	4:07 (album version) 3:45 (edit)
Label:	Murmur
Producer:	Nick Launay
Prev Title:	The Door
Prev Year:	1997
Next Title:	Ana's Song (Open Fire)
Next Year:	1999

"Anthem for the Year 2000" is a song by Australian rock band Silverchair, released as the first single from their third album, Neon Ballroom. The song reached number three on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart, becoming the band's sixth top-ten single and their first lead single from an album not to reach number one, a feat "Tomorrow" and "Freak" had accomplished. The song reached the top ten in New Zealand, on Canada's RPM Rock Report, and on the UK Rock Chart.

Australian writer Craig Mathieson described the song as "a viciously compressed take on Queen's stadium rock moments that made Y2K into a generational battle".^[2]

Origin

Songwriter Daniel Johns said "Anthem for the Year 2000" was inspired by a dream:

The whole thing is about youth rebelling against people who are supposedly more important. It's about youth having total control over their own minds. They do not need overweight people in suits telling them what to do and how to act. It is all about just being yourself. The chorus is very sarcastic. It is not supposed to be taken seriously.^[3]

Music video

The music video was directed by Gavin Bowden, who also made some videos for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Australian actress Maggie Kirkpatrick played the robot politician.^[3] Kirkpatrick said about being invited for the video:

My first reaction was, 'Why me?' I later found out that the boys were from Newcastle and, being an old Newcastle girl myself, I was more than prepared to help them out. I encourage anyone from my own town. Actually, my niece and nephew went to school with the guys.^[3]

Reception

AllMusic critic Jason Anderson thought that "Anthem for the Year 2000" was one of the three highlights from Neon Ballroom.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Chonin. Neva. Neon Ballroom. Rolling Stone. 18 March 1999. 16 May 2021.
2. Book: Mathieson, Craig. Playlisted: Everything You Need to Know about Australian Music Right Now. 9781459604445. 10. October 2010. ReadHowYouWant.com .
3. News: February 21, 1999 . Interview with The Sunday Herald-Sun . The Sunday Herald-Sun .
4. Web site: Northlane, The Amity Affliction and more to cover Silverchair on tribute album - Music News - triple j. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 October 2017.
5. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1999. ARIA. 26 March 2019.
6. RPM 1999 Top 50 Rock Tracks. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 26 March 2019.
7. Most Played Mainstream Rock Songs of 1999. Airplay Monitor. 7. 52. 35. 24 December 1999.
8. Most Played Modern Rock Songs of 1999. Airplay Monitor. 7. 52. 36. 24 December 1999.
9. Adds for February 22 & 23. Gavin Report. 2243. 59. 19 February 1999.
10. Web site: Neon Ballroom – Silverchair | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic |last=Anderson |first=Jason |publisher=AllMusic] |access-date=14 May 2019}}

    Influence

    Northlane member Jon Deiley said:

    "Anthem for the Year 2000" was the first Silverchair song I ever heard.

    To me as a young kid, it was intense and heavy and it wasn't til a few years later that I really began to appreciate the impact their music had on me at an early age.^[4]

    Track listings

    Australian (MATTCD080)/European (6668362) CD single/Cassette single (MATTC080)

    1. "Anthem for the Year 2000"
    2. "London's Burning" (The Clash cover)
    3. "Untitled"
    4. "The Millennium Bug" (The Paul Mac Remix)

    Australian 7-inch vinyl (MATTVO80)

    1. "Anthem for the Year 2000"
    2. "Trash"

    Limited numbered UK CD single (6670882)

    1. "Anthem for the Year 2000"
    2. "The Millennium Bug" (The Paul Mac Remix)

    UK limited 7-inch numbered picture disc

    1. "Anthem for the Year 2000"
    2. "The Millennium Bug" (The Paul Mac Remix)

    Charts

    Year-end charts

    Chart (1999)	Position
    Australia (ARIA)^[5]	29
    Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)^[6]	26
    US Mainstream Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[7]	68
    US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[8]	65

    Release history

    Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
    Australia	February 1999		Murmur
    United States	22 February 1999	Active rock radio		^[9]

    References

    .