National Anthem: Musicians, Lyrics & Group Participation Sing Along?

When it comes to our National Anthem I think the time has arrived for a little protocol with the presentation in events broadcast worldwide. Over my years I have witnessed many presentations of “The Star Spangled Banner”; Vocal presentation accompanied by full orchestra, ensemble and some solo with many exceptional performances.

The most recent trend seems to be to relegate the honor of singing the “song” that represents our country and what it stands for to the agent with enough influence to convince those responsible that their “talented artist” should be given the opportunity.

I find it a little embarrassing that a sporting event like the Super Bowl, watched by millions worldwide, would present such an A Capella disaster of our National Anthem. I have just barely been able to accept artistic musical adaptation of our country’s anthem in the past but forgetting the words is unforgivable.

Give me a good old fashioned military band playing a musical score of “The Star Spangled Banner” and post the lyrics on the video screens. Let the world wide audience watch as Americans voice their pride in their country. If the guy in front of you puts his fingers in his mouth and whistles before the last line, lightly whack him across the head for his disrespect.

bERfErD will now step off the soap box.

No matter who is in charge of booking the person to sing The Star Spangled Banner the least they could do is select someone who can sing it with a little class. Last nights presentation showed NO CLASS. Not only did Christina screw the words up but her entire presentation was lousy. Roseann Barr was the worst of the worst but last night's was almost as bad.

Christine has been..shall we say....not reliable of late.

One would think a few practice renditions were in order.


Shame on her--the world was watching

I also think Whitney Houston messed this up a few years back too oops we have no icon for sniffing dope/smoking crack cocaine... why not?

I had a feeling there was a train wreck coming..........so after 2 words out of her mouth?

I picked up the Laundry & proceeded to put it away...........far, far, away from the tv.

Just couldn't bear to watch.

Cut her some slack. Its not that she didn't know the words - she just cracked under the live performance. It happens to everyone in live venues. She apologized today and it seemed sincere enough.

Personally, I think its time we find a new national anthem anyway. I'd bet you $100 there are more people in this country that can recite Canada's National Anthem than can ours. The lyrics to our song are a tribute to the war of 1812 - a conflict where our nation gots its ass kicked until England decided it was more trouble than it was worth. Can't we find something a little more upbeat and inspirational?

You got a good point PJ.

Then I'm sure some Suit, will book Christina & Roseanne to sing it.

PJ - The History Channel has a very good 2 hour show on the War of 1812. I suggest that you watch it. While we got off to a poor start, the US finished strong with victories at Baltimore, NY & New Orleans.

I agree with Berfed -play the song & start the game! While I am on my horse, kill the halftime show, 15 minute break & kickoff the 2nd half

Boy that's the answer do away with the National Anthem. Our troops would be glad to hear that I'm sure. Bedferd put it into context it time we have a little protocol. A military band playing the National Anthem sounds great. It not the time that it was written but the intent of why it was written. Well let's see the bible has been taken out of our schools, the ten commandments not allowed to be posted in public places, no prayers before school sporting events, and now let's write a new National Anthem we are surely headed in the right direction for sure. As far as her cracking maybe a little practice would have help. If she not use to crowds she in the wrong business. I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion but writing a new song that is more inspirational and upbeat doesn't make it to the top of my list.

Prior to the war of 1812 we had two different national anthems that preceded it...including the song "My country, Tis of Thee" which most people actually know the lyrics too - both then and now.. But after that war our country decided we should change the anthem to "The Star Spangled Banner". Can you believe it? They changed the national anthem. They must have really hated the troops.

Of all suggestions so far I like Berferd's the best. Our National Anthem is difficult for even the most accomplished of musicians to sing well. Over the years several patriotic songs have been proposed to replace it but at this point probably too deeply entrenched to change over.

The idea of a band as Berferd suggested along with the words on the "jumbotron" might be exactly the way to go.

Personal preference, while I can take or leave the fireworks for the line "the bombs bursting in air" I do admit to getting a rush, especially if at the stadium, with the fly over hitting the mark at the last strains of the Anthem.