DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

From a Marine Corps Colonel in Afghanistan:

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 your costume, makeup and your entourage.
Sing 'The Star Spangled Banner' with the courtesy and humility that tells the audience that it is about America, not you.
Francis Scott Key does not need any help ."

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Amen

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

While I agree our National Anthem sounds best when sung without unnecessary embellishment, I do think the artists should be allowed their own feeling about it, if they are duly chosen by the event's producers. It's then up to the listeners to decide if they like it, or not.
Rosanne Barr got my thumbs down, no doubt; but Whitney Houston's rendition was pure beauty, in my opinion.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I would agree with you.

tschmath Loc: Los Angeles

I know I'm gonna catch hell for saying this, but I think it's idiotic to sing the national anthem before sporting events. I also think it's idiotic that politicians are expected to wear flag pins on their lapels. I also think it's idiotic to have students blindly recite the pledge of allegiance every day before school. We are the only country in the world with a loyalty oath, and it accomplishes nothing. Pride in this country comes from our history, our culture, and our people, not some stupid words or a song. I get a lump in my throat when I see the Statue of Liberty, and what it represents. Singing God Bless America at the seventh inning stretch just doesn't do it for me.

OK, now call me all of your names, I know it's gonna happen, but I'm proud not of a song, or a loyalty oath, but of the fact that I can say what I just did and not be arrested for it. I'm proud that I can criticize those flag-wearing politicians, and not be imprisoned. THAT'S something to be proud of.

SmittyOne Loc: California

Not from me you won't. As a veteran, (Viet Nam), I will defend your right to believe how you feel you should, and as long as you don't try to force others to believe the way you do, go for it. On the other hand, I do agree about sporting events, and especially politicians with their flag lapel pins. I have a suggestion for them. Lets send them to Afghanistan to fight, and see how long the war lasts, and how the returnees are treated on returning by the Government that can't get its act together. I love our country, not too sure about the Government.

papayanirvana Loc: Kauai

Jimi Hendrix had an awesome version...

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

As a Vietnam veteran, I would prefer that the singers be allowed to sing the National Anthem however they please. As a libertarian, I would almost insist on that.

Having said that, and having just heard the singer at the NFL playoff game in Seattle trying to cough up a hairball on the last phrase, I would prefer they sing privately when they want to be that creative.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Had to LOL on that one! The whole idea was that we agree on the rights part, and so forth. It was just a thought about something most of us are aware of and have probably had some sort of reaction. :lol:

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

I am one who loves his Country. The United States is the greatest nation on earth and I am not only proud of her but lucky to be living here. I would wear a Flag on my lapel, my hat, my tie or any place that it can be seen and I would expect our politicians to do the same. Most people who sang at these events don't even know the words to our anthem much less know how to sang it. They are only putting on a show.

"I have a suggestion for them [politicians]. Lets send them to Afghanistan to fight, and see how long the war lasts, and how the returnees are treated on returning by the Government that can't get its act together".

I have heard this before - what does that mean? Was it the politicians that bombed the World Trade Center? What would it accomplish to send our politicians into a war zone? That wouldn't stop our enemies from attacking us. It is good that our Military is under civilian authority else we too could be having military take over every other year or so. As long as our politicians will listen to the voice of our military and let them do their job as they should maybe then our wars will once again be won in the shortest of time.

steve03 Loc: long Lsland

What makes me laugh is that some of these singers act like the people came to hear them sing. They should all have learned from Whitney Houston be respectful sing it straight and they will love you for it.

wsnyder Loc: Illinois

Well said!!

Red Bear

I don't communicate much on UHH, but this topic got me. As much as I hate to say it, those people have a right to try to express their feeling for the nation (or the anthem) anyway they want. A lot of us shed blood so that others could make fools of themselves. I'm old enough to remember when the country began singing the anthem at sports events - during WWII and it just continued ever since.

At the risk of offending somebody (not intentionally), I'd respectfully submit that Francis Scott Key wrote a poem that he never imagined would be set to the music of an old English drinking song. I love the "Star-Sparkled Banner", but perhaps we should think about officially changing the National Anthem to "America The Beautiful." It's a grand song - and almost anybody can sing it!

Audie Thornburg Loc: Eureka, Kansas

I Am With You! A young lady sang "The National Anthem" at a basketball game that I attended last Friday Night, and "In My Opinion" pretty much "Butchered It." She sang the words, but, the notes were way off. "That" really distracted me from the meaning of the song. I"m all for doing your own rendition of a song, but, leave "The National Anthem" alone. Sing it like it was written, so others can sing it with you. If you want to sing it off key, or sing the wrong notes, then sing it in the shower where no one can hear you. (Hopefully)

AnnaZ Loc: SW Wis.

RedBear, I totally agree with you on "America the Beautiful" as a national anthem. Just as thought-provoking and MUCH easier to sing. *and not as long to have to suffer through if there is a "butchery vocalist" singing it*. Of which there are many.

One of the best renditions I heard was a 10 year old girl singing it before a NASCAR race last summer. (Star Spangled Banner)