“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 the costumes, the makeup and the entourages. Sing “The
Star Spangled Banner” with the courtesy and humility that tells the
audience that it is about America, not you.”
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I agree with you. That is one song that should be sung with the same grace as you would your favorite religious song. Some singers should be ashamed to be recorded singing "The Star Spangled Banner" like a cat with its tail caught in the screen door.
ReplyDeleteI have NEVER understood why someone who has NO CONCEPT of TALENT was EVER allowed to pick these STUPID prima-donnas in the first place. They should have READ the WORDS BEFORE RUINING the SONG!!!! It is today as it always was about this marvelous county! More people than we can count have served AND DIED to PROTECT US at home,in the north, south, east, and west parts of the GLOBE!! If they are too self-centered and/or don't know the MEANING of the SONG---SHUT-UP NOW!!!!! From Jeanine A. Campbell-Shunk the proud daughter, wife and Mother of men who served and are serving so you stupid prima-donnas can have the HONOR of singing one of the most beautiful and respected song ever written.Think for a moment if you're not too stoned!
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