This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22232304
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Willem-Alexander Dutch investiture: King's Song outcry | Willem-Alexander Dutch investiture: King's Song outcry |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Tens of thousands of people in the Netherlands have objected to an official King's Song marking the 30 April investiture of Willem-Alexander. | Tens of thousands of people in the Netherlands have objected to an official King's Song marking the 30 April investiture of Willem-Alexander. |
The song, composed by Dutch-British producer John Ewbank and performed by 51 Dutch artists, was released on Friday morning. | The song, composed by Dutch-British producer John Ewbank and performed by 51 Dutch artists, was released on Friday morning. |
By Saturday, an online petition entitled No to the King's Song had attracted 37,000 signatures. | By Saturday, an online petition entitled No to the King's Song had attracted 37,000 signatures. |
Mr Ewbank has now withdrawn it as the official anthem. | Mr Ewbank has now withdrawn it as the official anthem. |
Many had objected to the lyrics as well as the mix of rap with traditional music. | Many had objected to the lyrics as well as the mix of rap with traditional music. |
Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, 45, and his Argentine-born wife Princess Maxima will become king and queen when his mother, Queen Beatrix, abdicates on 30 April aged 75. | Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, 45, and his Argentine-born wife Princess Maxima will become king and queen when his mother, Queen Beatrix, abdicates on 30 April aged 75. |
In an interview broadcast on Thursday, he promised to be a "traditional king" but declared he would not be a "protocol fetishist". | In an interview broadcast on Thursday, he promised to be a "traditional king" but declared he would not be a "protocol fetishist". |
'Dreadful' | 'Dreadful' |
The five-minute song - Koningslied in Dutch - was due to be performed in the presence of the new king and queen on the day of Willem-Alexander's swearing-in at 19:30 (17:30 GMT). | The five-minute song - Koningslied in Dutch - was due to be performed in the presence of the new king and queen on the day of Willem-Alexander's swearing-in at 19:30 (17:30 GMT). |
The performance, via video-link from the Ahoy sports arena in Rotterdam, was to feature some of the Netherlands' best-known stars including Marco Borsato and Trijntje Oosterhuis. | The performance, via video-link from the Ahoy sports arena in Rotterdam, was to feature some of the Netherlands' best-known stars including Marco Borsato and Trijntje Oosterhuis. |
But both music and lyrics met with disdain following the song's launch at 08:30 on Friday by the national enthronement committee. | But both music and lyrics met with disdain following the song's launch at 08:30 on Friday by the national enthronement committee. |
John Ewbank's music, which starts gently and at one point bursts into rap, was labelled "overproduced" by one critic who condemned the rap segment as "dreadful". | John Ewbank's music, which starts gently and at one point bursts into rap, was labelled "overproduced" by one critic who condemned the rap segment as "dreadful". |
As soon as the much-hyped song hit the airwaves a petition against it went online, the BBC's Hague correspondent Anna Holligan reports. | As soon as the much-hyped song hit the airwaves a petition against it went online, the BBC's Hague correspondent Anna Holligan reports. |
"In protest at this imbecilic 'King's Song', I hereby abdicate as a Dutch subject," the petition reads. | |
Mr Ewbank said the response was entirely expected because the song had been put under an "enormous magnifying glass". | Mr Ewbank said the response was entirely expected because the song had been put under an "enormous magnifying glass". |
While the lyrics were based on words submitted by Dutch citizens, they were put together by four writers. | While the lyrics were based on words submitted by Dutch citizens, they were put together by four writers. |
Some critics complained about lines such as: "I build a dyke with my bare hands and keep the water away" and "through wind and rain I'll stand beside you... I'll keep you safe as long as I live". | Some critics complained about lines such as: "I build a dyke with my bare hands and keep the water away" and "through wind and rain I'll stand beside you... I'll keep you safe as long as I live". |
One signatory to the petition said the song "spontaneously turns you into a republican, if you weren't one already". | One signatory to the petition said the song "spontaneously turns you into a republican, if you weren't one already". |
Despite the outcry, the song has gone straight to the top of the Dutch iTunes chart, our correspondent says. | Despite the outcry, the song has gone straight to the top of the Dutch iTunes chart, our correspondent says. |