The National Anthem

I was appalled at the performance of our National Anthem given prior to the Super Bowl this year. It is just my personal opinion this ode to our nation be sung in the fashion that it was written. It was not meant to be sung with warbley vocal calisthenics and theatrics that all pop singers seem to love to do. Everyone wants to be Mariah Carey. All you have to do is listen to the acapella performances given on American Idol to see what I mean. JUST SING THE DAMN SONG IN THE NOTES THAT WERE WRITTEN FOR IT.


I offer this to you. It was sent to me by a good friend currently existing on The Left Coast. It demonstrates that my opinion has been validated. Let me know what you think.

“So, with all the kindness I can muster, I give this one piece of advice to the next pop star who is asked to sing the national anthem at a sporting event: save the vocal gymnastics and the physical gyrations for your concerts. Just sing this song the way you were taught to sing it in kindergarten — straight up, no styling. Sing it with the constant awareness that there are soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines watching you from bases and outposts all over the world. Don’t make them cringe with your self-centered ego gratification. Sing it as if you are standing before a row of 86-year-old WWII vets wearing their Purple Hearts, Silver Stars and flag pins on their cardigans and you want them to be proud of you for honoring them and the country they love — not because you want them to think you are a superstar musician. They could see that from the costumes, the makeup and the entourages. Sing “The Star Spangled Banner” with the courtesy and humility that tells the audience that it is about America, not you.”

Thanks Jeri!