I Love This Land facts for kids

"I Love This Land" is a song released in 1982 by the famous British singer Vera Lynn. It came out right after the Falklands War. The song was written by André Previn and was credited to "Vera Lynn and The Victory Group." The other song on the single was "The Victory Theme." It was released by State Records.

About "I Love This Land"

This song became well-known because of its connection to the Falklands War. Vera Lynn was a very popular singer during World War II, known for her songs that brought hope. Her song "I Love This Land" aimed to capture a similar feeling for people after the Falklands War.

The Falklands War Connection

The Falklands War was a short conflict in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom. It was fought over two small groups of islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. The war lasted for about 74 days. Many British soldiers, sailors, and air force members were sent to fight. When the war ended, the British troops returned home.

Performances and Release

Vera Lynn performed "I Love This Land" when the troops came back from the war. She sang it at Portsmouth harbour, a major port in England. She also sang her famous song "We'll Meet Again" there. Later in July 1982, Lynn performed "I Love This Land" at a special event called the Berkeley Square Ball.

What People Thought of the Song

Not everyone loved "I Love This Land." Some people felt the song was too old-fashioned. They thought it looked back to the past instead of dealing with how the world was in the 1980s.

For example, a writer named Keith Clements called the song "syrupy." He felt it was more about remembering old feelings than understanding new global issues. The Glasgow Media Group, a team of researchers, also said the song was about "nostalgia." Nostalgia means feeling a warm, fuzzy longing for the past. They pointed out that when the BBC (a big TV and radio company) talked about the song, they showed old pictures of Vera Lynn from wartime.

Different Views on War Songs

The Glasgow Media Group also noticed something interesting about how news was reported. They said that "I Love This Land" was treated as big news because it was patriotic. Patriotic means showing great love and support for your country.

However, other songs about the Falklands War, which were not as patriotic, did not get the same attention. This shows how the media can choose what stories to highlight.