How do you feel when you hear the National Anthem performed by an "Artist" singing it their way instead of as written?

MSG Dan Foster — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:30:10 -0500

It's not the start of the NFL season and I'm not sure who originated the following but I find it to be good advice for everyone, no matter what the event.

The National Anthem

From a Marine Corps Colonel in Afghanistan.

With the start of the NFL season, perhaps all team owners should be sent the following:
"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 WW II 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, and not about you!

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 1 at 2015 2:32 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:32:20 -0500

I understand not everyone's singing style is completely the same and how Frank Sintra sang it will be different then Toby Keith. My main beef with artist singing the National Anthem is when they take too much liberties and lose the meaning or makes me cringe.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 2:41 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:41:46 -0500

I feel disappointed, MSG Dan Foster. That Marine Corps Colonel's advice is spot-on, in my opinion. The bottom line is that it's not about the "artist," it's about the National Anthem and the USA. I agree: Save the gyrations and the cutesy stylizing for other songs. Give this song your all and give it the respect it's due.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2015 2:42 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:42:32 -0500

When it becomes a Pop song I have a real issue. A lot of them don't even know what they are saying. They just sing it and feel all happy. It is like reading the Constitution and thinking it is neat. It is a piece of history that great men troiled other to form this great country. It is not just a "neat document." But every year people go to see it just to say they saw it and never realize what it meant those who wrote it. This is the same with the anthem. They sing it as if it is their song. It is so much more than that. It is a disservice to all of those that made it what it is.

Response by PO1 Michael Rohman made Feb 1 at 2015 2:58 PM

PO1 Michael Rohman — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:58:53 -0500

I would love to see all those who sing the National Anthem to sing it with the respect it deserves. Whether there is or isn't any service members or vets present, this anthem is the representative of all our country, the good, the bad, and me. (ugly) Now, granted the music the words are set to is a beer drinking tune from long ago, but when coupled with F.S.Key's words, it is no longer a tune that "artistic license" can be used on. I am a musician, guitar, and every 4th of July I play the anthem loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear! I could do some of Jimi's tricks, but respect is more important.

Response by MAJ Monique Salinas made Feb 1 at 2015 3:08 PM

MAJ Monique Salinas — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 15:08:56 -0500

I couldn't agree with you more. It's one of those songs that you can close your eyes to listen to the words and reflect the time it started to really mean something to you. To change it up feels disrespectful to me because the original artist arranged it for the purpose of a legacy.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 5:00 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 05:00:16 -0500

I can understand when people sing the national anthem to get a little bit emotional, but there is a point where patriotism turns into them just trying to get a reaction out of the crowd.

Response by SSG Dale London made May 6 at 2016 11:34 AM

SSG Dale London — Fri, 06 May 2016 11:34:43 -0400

The phrase, "Fingernails on a chalkboard" comes to mind.
Do it the way it was written.