National Anthem at the Super Bowl

[Qman]

National Anthem at the Super Bowl - an editorial

“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.”

[coyote]

and please remember the words

[Tiffany23]

I'm all for creativity when it comes to singing...but I couldn't agree with you more Qman.. My grandfather who served as a Marine Sgt in WWII would often turn down the sound when ever someone tried to put their own "thing" into it . Also, it really pissed him off when people would sit down prior to the colors leaving the field...or wouldn't take off their hats during the pledge. He'd often have my father, who is 6'4 and in his officer uniform, gently remind the (usually) young men what the correct protecol was. A lesson I'm pretty sure they remembered for the rest of their lives.

Personally, I'm impressed with ANYONE who can hit the high note of "FREE". I have a little talent in that field but I've never been able to....plus to be honest, to this day I still get a lump in my throat, my eyes tear up and I can't finish the song. I've heard Taps too many times not to be reminded of the sacrafice that our Heroes and their Families have incumbered in the name of freedom.

[George2351]

Great piece of advice for every musician and public figure.

[roxyredhead]

Thanks Qman! I agree completely!

[pleasantvalleySunday]

I have forgiven that performance with the advise to NEXT TIME TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PREP/PRACTICE.

Here is my vote for the next big event - these girls are so good, for so many reasons:

[pureau79]

Qman, the proverbial nail was struck squarely upon its head with that post. Thank you. My father was a Marine Sargent in machine gun group, WWII, 1st DIv, Dog Company. He never talked about any of this and what I know about it I was told by someone else. He had a book with photos of the various company's and I actually got to look at it once. I served my enlistment in the USN, tried to re-enlist in the Corps during Desert Storm, but was told they were not taking prior service at that time and it was over so quickly... I'm too old now, but the National Anthem still means something to me and it pi$$e$ me off to see people disrespect it.

The playing of TAPS... I have NEVER heard it that it did not bring me to tears. I love this country. I love the men who sacrificed for it, and I despise those individuals that suggest we are part of a global community. The so-called global community never paid the price our men and women have paid. By the way, I hate the USN's new commercial "A force for global good..."

[MrRich]

PVS thanks for that video. Those girls are great. Here's my favorite Super Bowl celebrity national anthem. It's Whitney Houston during Desert Storm in 1991 before she went crazy on drugs. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR_KwLvf0is