02/06/2024
Ok, I'm gonna plagiarize this. Been thinking this very thing for a very long time, not just for the superbowl, but every single time I hear it sung at a sporting event, because nearly everyone who sings it does the same thing.
I like this:
Super bowl Sunday, From a U.S Army Vietnam era veteran: "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 any sporting event: save the vocal gymnastics and the physical gyrations for your concerts. Please, 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." Also, hit the notes of its amazing melody right at the beginning of the note instead of sliding into it from the last note, or somewhere else entirely. I realize this falls into the styling category noted above, but Mr. Key wrote a tune. Sing the tune!
Hoo Ah!
