hprinze Loc: Central Florida

I don't know who wrote this. but I certainly agree with it.

"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 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. And please remember, not everything has to be sung as a Negro spiritual. We're getting a little weary of that.

"Francis Scott Key does not need any help."

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

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Loki Loc: Georgia

I couldn't have said it better. (Undoubtedly I could have said it more pedantically, but not better).

alex Loc: michigan now imperial beach californa

of course it would also help if they can sing

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

I am aware I already submitted a response, but feel compelled to respond again.
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I am continually appalled at the butchering of our National Anthem as well as the totally egregious lack of appropriate behavior during presentation of the Anthem. :thumbdown: :thumbdown: on individuals who fail to face the flag, stand up straight, take off your stupid baseball caps and everyone failing to place their hand over their heart.

oldroy Loc: Western Kansas (No longer in hiding)

Here is the song sung as it should be done by everyone who tries to do it. How could anyone hear this version and not do what is normal with most of us?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdP1CQEboIo

usmc4

After listening to the National Anthem, I saw on the right side, Marine stuns crowd. If you haven't listened to it, I think it would be worth listening to. Of course I do admit I'm bias to the Corps. I was also impressed by the crowd as they stood and gave it the reverence it is due. Thanks oldroy, I definitely enjoyed the first version.

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

Oldroy and USMC4, I literally rose to my feet while listening to this.

I will admit my hand was not over my heart. No, in fact, both of my arms were straight in the air pointing to the sky.

oldroy Loc: Western Kansas (No longer in hiding)

I really wonder how many people know that there is more to that song than we usually hear. I remember the old Marine who sang that last part at a Tea Party rally some years ago and how the people reacted to it.

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

Another outstanding version is by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Of course, in my opinion, they are the gold standard for all choirs.

oldroy Loc: Western Kansas (No longer in hiding)

I just sit and cry when I hear that thing done that well. I spent a lot of time today trying to beat Whitney Houston's job at the Super Bowl and sure enough they did a job of doing it.

Usually when I get on YouTube and get to listening to anything like this one I end up listening to military bands playing it. I love the way military people do these things. I am tearing up just thinking about how an ex-miitary band director came here for our high school and when he had his tiny band of 39 kids play the Stars and Stripess Forever I cried all through it. He had to have things played like a military band would play them and that one was so very great. Only two kids on tuba (one of them was mine) but the thing that carried the whole thing was a girl who played a touch piccolo part in it. I am still teared up just thinking about how that tiny band played that, not easy, song so well.

oldroy Loc: Western Kansas (No longer in hiding)

That old boy was a good singer and the crowd was patriotic enough that they reacted as they should. That is the one I talked about before I checked it out.