I do not know who wrote this editorial, however, I would like to shake his
or her hand. Thanks for sending this.
"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."
Josh Groban sings our anthem the way it should be sung at the All Star Basketball Game...............
It is interesting. I 100% agreed with the original post by raymb1 - and then I 100% agreed with the post by Keith (ha, ha). You know what, both are correct viewpoints.
By the way, the Star Spangled Banner's melody was lifted (before copyrights in the USA) from a popular British drinking song!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner Kevin
This could all be solved easily by having a contract with the singer stating the wishes of the "contactor".
If you want it sung in the straight melody, state that in the contract with the stipulation that if the singer deviates from that, they return the full payment + 50%. A recording could be made of each performance and used to show if the singer took too many liberties.
If a contractor is willing to allow a few liberties with the melody, they could state that also and request an MP3 of how the singer plans to do it, subject to approval.
This may open up a mini minefield, but it would also make singers take the whole thing more seriously.
For me, I'd rather hear it sung "straight" from the original melody.
I find it strange and curious that it's sung at sporting events at all. I don't mind, but it see no point in it.
It’s because of a little thing called “tradition”. Now I’m not one that thinks all traditions should be adhered to, but if you’re part of a “traditional” gathering, and especially if you’re asked to provide entertainment for said “traditional” gathering, then you shouldn’t be an ass and try to use that venue to “show off your chops”.
The audience, (or most of it), wants to sing along, and they can’t if you try to treat the song as some improvisational jazz or gospel song.
Shucks, if you can pull off this song in the “straight” melody, you’ve accomplished quite a bit.
Celebrate the variety and God Bless America
I still rest on my earlier post. Displays on excess vocal gymnastics suggests to me that the singer can't hit the notes dead on. I am not interested how many gold records they have sold or how hot they look, generally leaping, bounding, and sliding into the note is a cover up!.DennisD
For my part, I think the anthem was written with an attitude of respect for God and Country. And since we as a society have developed a tradition of singing the national anthem at most large gatherings especially sporting events, (although I don't see the relevance), I think it should be sung with the solemnity and respect which was intended when it was written.
That does not necessarily mean that it must be "sung straight". A beautiful and respectful version will be recognized by the majority of listeners. An egotistical, look at me version will also be recognized and should not be for public performance. In my opinion it is a song that is meant to remind us of what has been accomplished and at what price. It reminds us of the sacrifices made to ensure our freedom to butcher the song if we so desire.
I sometimes think that celebraties are so self centered and thoughtless that anything that involves attention to something other than themselves is inconceivable, and they may butcher the song not out of willful volition, but simply because in their mind,
"Hey it really is all about me isn't it, otherwise why would they have asked me to perform our sacred national anthem at a huge nationaly televised event, if they didn't want ME to glorify Myself? After all it is such a staid old song that ya gotta do something to liven it up a bit don't ya?"
Rob
Here's a good way to do the American National Anthem.
In case you wonder there is no need to put the lyrics up on the screen.
And if you get through the US anthem the next on is the Canadian anthem.
Here our arena holds 10,000 and often they just start the first verse and the 'singer' quits. Can't hear them anyway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJlu6uzBaXA&NR=1
Just don't let US Marines hold your flag:
http://www.distant.ca/UselessFacts/fact.asp?ID=144Of course, the Blue Jays won so maybe an upside-down maple leaf is good luck.
The traditional national anthem of the US was "Hail Columbia" before Herbert Hoover and the great depression congress adopted the current anthem in 1931.
Well I just heard a whole new take on anthems:
At the opening of the Pittsburgh at Toronto NHL game a few minutes ago, the US anthem was played on a harmonica - actually didn't sound too bad.
The Canadian anthem was played on solo double necked distortion guitar - I'm not so sure about that one.
Every one in the crowd (and some of the players) had that look on their faces that said: "I thought I'd heard everything until now - and it's finally over".
Glenn
I didn't turn it on until after that. Maybe I'm not sorry I missed it.
