National Anthem Rant

[TheGameIs21]

Why do today's music stars (most recently Beyonce but she's not the only one by far) feel the need to include their own "soulful" parts to the National Anthem? Woo Hoo! Beyonce won awards and it pretty... BIG DEAL!!! Read the lyrics below and tell me how you should sing it any other way than with pride, as it was written? Beyonce did sing the last half with pride but the first half was sung to show off her personal style.

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

I know not everyone here is from/in the USA and I know that many here that are in/from the USA could care less... but I wish that people would start taking a little more pride in their country and treat it with some respect. You don't have to like the leader but the leader isn't the land. Some people will say that it is too hard to sing because of the ranges. To them I say, "well, maybe you shouldn't sing it then."

 

[Anubis]

i happen to agree with you

 

[ohtwell]

That is such crap! How is it disrespectful to sing the song with soul. She sang it the way she sings every song. Her adding her own stuff, notice she didn't change the words, doesn't mean she didn't sing it with pride.


: ) Amanda

 

[Gyrene]

Originally posted by: Anubis
i happen to agree with you

 

[TheGameIs21]

Originally posted by: ohtwell
That is such crap! How is it disrespectful to sing the song with soul. She sang it the way she sings every song. Her adding her own stuff, notice she didn't change the words, doesn't mean she didn't sing it with pride.


: ) Amanda

You restated my point, thank you. She sang the song like she sings every one of HER songs. The Star Spangled Banner has notes and tempo as written. That is what should be sung, not a modified version to fit a singers style. This isn't anti-Beyonce, this is a rant about how many singers take the opportunity to "show off" rather than sing this song like it was written. I am sure that someone will come out at a sporting event rapping this song soon (if it hasn't happened already).

 

[Hubris]

For the love of god, if everyone sang it the EXACT same way, then what would be the point of having different people sing it? So she sings it a little differently than what you think "should" be. Hate to break it to you, Mac, but you're just one person and you don't constitute the entire country. Just because you don't like the way she sang it doesn't mean she was being disrespectful or unpatriotic (and god am I tired of that charge flying around).

Stop tilting at windmills.

 

I think the concept behind the "soul" that's often added to the national anthem is that such deviance from the way it was written represents diversity, uniqueness and pride in our country. As such, Beyonce's rendition of the national anthem was less, I think about showing off her skill (thought she certainly was doing that) and more about representing the great range of people in this country, and their freedom to express their patriotism in varied and individual ways.

 

[ElFenix]

considering its a poem and the original author didn't write the music i don't see how any one particular way of singing it could be more correct than the other.

 

[Jzero]

As a singer, I'm gonna have to disagree with you on that one. As long as the words, basic melody, and the respectful air are maintained, it's ok. The performer believes that s/he is doing justice to the song and the subject by singing it the way they do. Sorry if you didn't pick up on it or dislike whatever licenses may have been taken. The song "as written" is about as exciting as an ivy league fight song. It's not like the melody, attributed to British songwriter John Stafford Smith has some sort of sacred origins.

 

[TheGameIs21]

For the love of god, if everyone sang it the EXACT same way, then what would be the point of having different people sing it? So she sings it a little differently than what you think "should" be. Hate to break it to you, Mac, but you're just one person and you don't constitute the entire country. Just because you don't like the way she sang it doesn't mean she was being disrespectful or unpatriotic (and god am I tired of that charge flying around).

Stop tilting at windmills.

Singing a song has nothing to do with Diversity MAC.... nevermind... You will never get it.

and at what point did I say unpatriotic? Maybe you should stop throwing that word around if you don't like it so much...

 

[DorkBoy]

Originally posted by: Jzero
As a singer, I'm gonna have to disagree with you on that one. As long as the words, basic melody, and the respectful air are maintained, it's ok. The performer believes that s/he is doing justice to the song and the subject by singing it the way they do. Sorry if you didn't pick up on it or dislike whatever licenses may have been taken. The song "as written" is about as exciting as an ivy league fight song. It's not like the melody, attributed to British songwriter John Stafford Smith has some sort of sacred origins.

Are you on American Idol?

 

[TheGameIs21]

Originally posted by: Jzero
As a singer, I'm gonna have to disagree with you on that one. As long as the words, basic melody, and the respectful air are maintained, it's ok. The performer believes that s/he is doing justice to the song and the subject by singing it the way they do. Sorry if you didn't pick up on it or dislike whatever licenses may have been taken. The song "as written" is about as exciting as an ivy league fight song. It's not like the melody, attributed to British songwriter John Stafford Smith has some sort of sacred origins.

That's just the point... It isn't respectful to sing the song to "highlight" a specific persons skills. This song is an anthem (A hymn of praise or loyalty.) to the United States of America... not an anthem to the person singing the song. As far as it being an Ivy League fight song.... It's our anthem, like it or not. Just like it is our country like current policy/administration or not.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

The freedom we have permits us to burn the flag or mock the anthem.

I will never do these things. What others do is their choice:disgust:.

The most moving rendition of our anthem I have ever heard was Jimmy Hendrix's
playing of it at Woodstock. (no i was not there)

Note: Roseanne Barr never seemed to recover after her insulting performance
at a Padres game several years ago........

 

[Jzero]

Are you on American Idol?

Bwahahaha! I thought about going out for it, but I'm too middle-of-the-road. I'm not good enough that you would see me in the pack that moves on past the first week, I'm not awful enough that you would get to see Simon berate me.

 

[Hubris]

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
Singing a song has nothing to do with Diversity MAC.... nevermind... You will never get it.

and at what point did I say unpatriotic? Maybe you should stop throwing that word around if you don't like it so much...

What an arrogant person you seem to be. Should I have referred to as "TheGameIs21"? Mea culpa. And you're probably right, I won't ever get your seemingly xenophobic need to piss on anything that doesn't fit into your narrow world view. And who are YOU to define pride for someone else? How do you know that her singing it with her own personal style, incorporating the song of her country and singing it the way she does best, with all of her heart, wasn't the most respectful thing she could have done?

You didn't SAY...er, type...unpatriotic, but it was bubbling right under the surface of what you said. As for me throwing it around...

That's got to be the worst argument tactic I've ever seen...because I don't like the word and how it's been used so loosely and easily in the past two and a half years, that means I AM?

You suck at teh arguing.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21

Originally posted by: Jzero
As a singer, I'm gonna have to disagree with you on that one. As long as the words, basic melody, and the respectful air are maintained, it's ok. The performer believes that s/he is doing justice to the song and the subject by singing it the way they do. Sorry if you didn't pick up on it or dislike whatever licenses may have been taken. The song "as written" is about as exciting as an ivy league fight song. It's not like the melody, attributed to British songwriter John Stafford Smith has some sort of sacred origins.

That's just the point... It isn't respectful to sing the song to "highlight" a specific persons skills. This song is an anthem (A hymn of praise or loyalty.) to the United States of America... not an anthem to the person singing the song. As far as it being an Ivy League fight song.... It's our anthem, like it or not. Just like it is our country like current policy/administration or not.

i think its much better if its filled with emotion and from the heart, and its hard to do that as a pop singer if you're singing a very cut and dried version

 

[Jzero]

That's just the point... It isn't respectful to sing the song to "highlight" a specific persons skills.

Did you read my post? Who said anything about highlighting your skills? A SINGER is SINGING, how can they NOT highlight their skills, seeing as they are plying their profession?
They are interpreting the song in a way that they feel conveys the respect, pride and beauty that the song is meant to convey. It's not about the singer, it's about the song and what the song means to the singer.

 

[TheGameIs21]

Originally posted by: Hubris

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
Singing a song has nothing to do with Diversity MAC.... nevermind... You will never get it.

and at what point did I say unpatriotic? Maybe you should stop throwing that word around if you don't like it so much...

What an arrogant person you seem to be. Should I have referred to as "TheGameIs21"? Mea culpa. And you're probably right, I won't ever get your seemingly xenophobic need to piss on anything that doesn't fit into your narrow world view. And who are YOU to define pride for someone else? How do you know that her singing it with her own personal style, incorporating the song of her country and singing it the way she does best, with all of her heart, wasn't the most respectful thing she could have done?

You didn't SAY...er, type...unpatriotic, but it was bubbling right under the surface of what you said. As for me throwing it around...

That's got to be the worst argument tactic I've ever seen...because I don't like the word and how it's been used so loosely and easily in the past two and a half years, that means I AM?

You suck at teh arguing.

Nothing that I say or do will ever get past your "Diversity" argument (talk about "worst argument tactic". Call me names all you like but I am entitled to my views as you are. Have a good day.

 

[Hubris]

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21

Originally posted by: Hubris

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
Singing a song has nothing to do with Diversity MAC.... nevermind... You will never get it.

and at what point did I say unpatriotic? Maybe you should stop throwing that word around if you don't like it so much...

What an arrogant person you seem to be. Should I have referred to as "TheGameIs21"? Mea culpa. And you're probably right, I won't ever get your seemingly xenophobic need to piss on anything that doesn't fit into your narrow world view. And who are YOU to define pride for someone else? How do you know that her singing it with her own personal style, incorporating the song of her country and singing it the way she does best, with all of her heart, wasn't the most respectful thing she could have done?

You didn't SAY...er, type...unpatriotic, but it was bubbling right under the surface of what you said. As for me throwing it around...

That's got to be the worst argument tactic I've ever seen...because I don't like the word and how it's been used so loosely and easily in the past two and a half years, that means I AM?

You suck at teh arguing.

Nothing that I say or do will ever get past your "Diversity" argument (talk about "worst argument tactic". Call me names all you like but I am entitled to my views as you are. Have a good day.

rofl. Calling you names? I said "Mac", which is like Chief, Bud, Sparky, etc. It's a generic thing, not an insult.

And you're right, nothing will get past my "diversity" argument, because there is absolutely no way you can have an artist sing a song that is entirely devoid of their own style. That's WHY you have someone sing it, because their style is liked/admired/popular, etc. While I may not always agree with who they choose, I certainly would never insist that everyone sing it the same exact way, if for no other reason than it's impossible. But you seem to think that there is a right way and wrong way to sing the song, and I'm never going to get past that. C'est la vie.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Just wait until the Chiefs make the Super bowl next year. The Chiefs fans will be there in full force, and instead of the Home of the Brave..we say in unison...Home of the ...CHIEFS!!!

 

[TheGameIs21]

Originally posted by: Jzero

That's just the point... It isn't respectful to sing the song to "highlight" a specific persons skills.

Did you read my post? Who said anything about highlighting your skills? A SINGER is SINGING, how can they NOT highlight their skills, seeing as they are plying their profession?
They are interpreting the song in a way that they feel conveys the respect, pride and beauty that the song is meant to convey. It's not about the singer, it's about the song and what the song means to the singer.

Yes, I read your post... To "interpret" the song in any other way than as written is to most always "interpret" to fit your style and hilight your skill. The isn't just a song to be sung any old way. It is an Anthem.

People, All I am trying to say here is that there are lyrics and notes to this song that is an Anthem to the United States. An Athem is a hymn of praise or loyalty. It should be sung with reverence, not interpretation.

Hubris Calling me Arrogant isn't calling me a name? No, you didn't call me dumb@ss or anything but by calling me arrogant, you obviously were attempting to belittle me and/or my view. Thanks, play again on your home version of our game.

 

[Darkstar757]

Originally posted by: TheGameIs21
Why do today's music stars (most recently Beyonce but she's not the only one by far) feel the need to include their own "soulful" parts to the National Anthem? Woo Hoo! Beyonce won awards and it pretty... BIG DEAL!!! Read the lyrics below and tell me how you should sing it any other way than with pride, as it was written? Beyonce did sing the last half with pride but the first half was sung to show off her personal style.

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

I know not everyone here is from/in the USA and I know that many here that are in/from the USA could care less... but I wish that people would start taking a little more pride in their country and treat it with some respect. You don't have to like the leader but the leader isn't the land. Some people will say that it is too hard to sing because of the ranges. To them I say, "well, maybe you shouldn't sing it then."

Well after reading this statement. I feel you are a total asshat.

Now go sing that

 

[poopaskoopa]

Originally posted by: Saulbadguy
Just wait until the Chiefs make the Super bowl next year. The Chiefs fans will be there in full force, and instead of the Home of the Brave..we say in unison...Home of the ...CHIEFS!!!

That's one thing that's always irked me. It's not just the Chiefs though. Other teams' fans do it too, and it's very, very annoying. Even worse if your team color is red, because they will shout that word too.

 

[TheGameIs21]

Originally posted by: Darkstar757

Well after reading this statement. I feel you are a total asshat.

Now go sing that

Wow, thanks for your contribution.

 

[ElFenix]

when you think about it, most singers would probably sing it badly if they tried to sing it any other way but their own. which is probably worse than singing it their own way. if you think about it.