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#105967 02/18/11 08:01 PM
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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."


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Very well said, indeed.

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+1

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+1




-152

The national anthem has proven to be a song that expresses the individualism that makes the USA what it is. If the attitude expressed in this editorial were embraced by everyone we would not have such memorable performances of the national anthem as those done by Destiny's Child, Whitney Houston, Patti Labelle, Faith Hill, Marvin Gaye, or a version done by an obscure artist named Jimi Hendrix.

Thank you very much guys, but I grow weary of my fellow citzens of the land of the free telling me what constitutes a "real" American, a "true" southerner, or an acceptable performance of the national anthem. I'll take both my national anthem and my country with a healthy dose of spice, individualism and free thinking, not some conformist, in-lock-step, cookie cutter society that makes us a monolith of religion, politics, and music.


Keith
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I'll take both my national anthem and my country with a healthy dose of spice, individualism and free thinking,



And I'll take mine black. No cream, no sugar.

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Josh Groban sings our anthem the way it should be sung at the All Star Basketball Game...............


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Quote:

Quote:

+1




-152

The national anthem has proven to be a song that expresses the individualism that makes the USA what it is. If the attitude expressed in this editorial were embraced by everyone we would not have such memorable performances of the national anthem as those done by Destiny's Child, Whitney Houston, Patti Labelle, Faith Hill, Marvin Gaye, or a version done by an obscure artist named Jimi Hendrix.

Thank you very much guys, but I grow weary of my fellow citzens of the land of the free telling me what constitutes a "real" American, a "true" southerner, or an acceptable performance of the national anthem. I'll take both my national anthem and my country with a healthy dose of spice, individualism and free thinking, not some conformist, in-lock-step, cookie cutter society that makes us a monolith of religion, politics, and music.




Sorry. The national anthem is NOT an audition for American Idol. A singer who is so desperate for adulation that they have to re-write the melody of the Star Spangled Banner in order to impress their audience with their vocal chops should avoid these kinds of gigs and stick to their own tours and adoring fans.

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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


Now at bandcamp: Crows Say Vee-Eh @ bandcamp or soundcloud: Kevin @ soundcloud
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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




I would think that debt has been paid by now, if not send the bill to Washington DC.

Later,

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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.

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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.


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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.

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Here's a straight version done in an official capacity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz2oIKbLjIA&feature=related


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Here's a non-straight version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A


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Here's a straight version done in an official capacity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz2oIKbLjIA&feature=related




How did those listening keep a straight face.

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Here's a non-straight version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A




Gave me chills.

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...and the best version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU5AYcAhvyo




Brought a tear to my eye

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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.




Just curious I can't remember ever hearing the "Fubaristan" Anthem.

Later,

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Celebrate the variety and God Bless America

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