National Anthem

[hexodat64]

So I was reading some articles with top sports moments of 2013, and this gem game up. (Which got me pretty choked up...)

[video=youtube;bioSZlbRgDk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bioSZlbRgDk&feature=youtu.be[/video]

Now obviously trying to capture the emotion that is contained in the video is not possible because of the circumstances, but I would love it Hilton became one of those arenas where everyone sang the banner loudly and with pride. The acoustics could make it pretty special. The banner is one of those things people seem to be kind of embarrassed to sing unless people around them sing. I think it would be pretty cool if we could trying and get singing the banner loudly as a tradition in Hilton. What do you guys think?

 

[Tre4ISU]

All I have to say about the National Anthem is that whoever sings it should sing it normally and quit trying to make their own versions. They often suck and the Anthem is not about the singer. The two I saw yesterday just about caused me to have a melt down. I think it should be a law that you sing it in it's original, intended structure. It is one of my biggest pet peeves. End rant.

 

[tm3308]

All I have to say about the National Anthem is that whoever sings it should sing it normally and quit trying to make their own versions. They often suck and the Anthem is not about the singer. The two I saw yesterday just about caused me to have a melt down. I think it should be a law that you sing it in it's original, intended structure. It is one of my biggest pet peeves. End rant.

I don't mind someone putting a LITTLE of their own spin on it. Even Whitney Houston didn't go strictly by the ******, but her rendition is widely considered the best ever.

But my God, the Rose Bowl performance was brutal. I was too busy cringing to throw a fit about it.

 

[hexodat64]

I agree. Singers try and make the song special. What they miss is that the song is already special and doesn't need any help. That's why something like this would be neat

 

[Tre4ISU]

I agree. Singers try and make the song special. What they miss is that the song is already special and doesn't need any help. That's why something like this would be neat

I have nothing against the crowd singing it FTR.

 

[NATEizKING]

Get chills every time I watch the American Outlaws sing

 

[wartknight]

I sing it quite a bit and always request the PA guy says "Please rise and join in the singing of our National Anthem" Best times I think are when I can step away from mic and let crowd take it

 

[klamath632]

All I have to say about the National Anthem is that whoever sings it should sing it normally and quit trying to make their own versions. They often suck and the Anthem is not about the singer. The two I saw yesterday just about caused me to have a melt down. I think it should be a law that you sing it in it's original, intended structure. It is one of my biggest pet peeves. End rant.

Problem with this is then you would have never listened to Whitney Houston's incredible rendition at Super Bowl XXV. There were alterations to the song's chording and structure, but this version of the song is a timeless classic.

To the OP: part of what makes the anthem incredible sometimes is circumstances. Sure, lots of people can feel patriotic at times, but it's difficult to be that way every single time the song is performed. Many sports events are quite mundane in the grand scheme of things, and the rule of singing the anthem before every single game waters down the meaning of it much of the time. In the video that you linked, it was two days after the bombing of the Boston Marathon. Hell, even where the anthem is a tradition (try a Blackhawks game sometime), the crowd doesn't sing the song-- they just cheer as loudly as they can during the entire song. Sure it would be cool if we could do something, but I just don't see it happening.

 

[clone52]

All I have to say about the National Anthem is that whoever sings it should sing it normally and quit trying to make their own versions. They often suck and the Anthem is not about the singer. The two I saw yesterday just about caused me to have a melt down. I think it should be a law that you sing it in it's original, intended structure. It is one of my biggest pet peeves. End rant.

I believe its the words that are important, not the melody. Francis Scott Key was inspired to write a poem, not a song.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

I'd like to see the National Anthem be sung by everyone in attendance and only led by an active serviceman or a veteran. Variance from the original is what keeps most people from singing anyway.

I once saw a war widow with her two little kids sing the Star Spangled Banner before a game and it is still one of the most emotional experiences I have had in my life.

 

[hexodat64]

Problem with this is then you would have never listened to Whitney Houston's incredible rendition at Super Bowl XXV. There were alterations to the song's chording and structure, but this version of the song is a timeless classic.

To the OP: part of what makes the anthem incredible sometimes is circumstances. Sure, lots of people can feel patriotic at times, but it's difficult to be that way every single time the song is performed. Many sports events are quite mundane in the grand scheme of things, and the rule of singing the anthem before every single game waters down the meaning of it much of the time. In the video that you linked, it was two days after the bombing of the Boston Marathon. Hell, even where the anthem is a tradition (try a Blackhawks game sometime), the crowd doesn't sing the song-- they just cheer as loudly as they can during the entire song. Sure it would be cool if we could do something, but I just don't see it happening.

First, Whitney Houston's version was indeed amazing!

And yes the emotion in a video like that will not be matched in Hilton, I mean it was in Boston and after the circumstances and all. But more often than not, it seems like people are just kind of looking around waiting for the song to be done. Blackhawks games the tradition is to be loud during the song, we why not put that effort into just singing the words.

This isn't something out of the realm of possibility, I mean at the ends of games of other schools (usually football), everyone gathers and sings the fight song. Though they seem to know the words to theirs better than we do...

 

[tm3308]

I believe its the words that are important, not the melody. Francis Scott Key was inspired to write a poem, not a song.

The way it's sung absolutely matters. The words are the most important part, yes. But the way we say anything conveys almost, if not just as much, as the words themselves.

When someone absolutely butchers it, that dominates everything else. Because it's an artist putting themselves so far above the spirit of the song that you barely understand what they hell they're saying. They could just as well sing it with auto-tune half the time, for crying out loud.

 

[clone52]

The way it's sung absolutely matters. The words are the most important part, yes. But the way we say anything conveys almost, if not just as much, as the words themselves.

When someone absolutely butchers it, that dominates everything else. Because it's an artist putting themselves so far above the spirit of the song that you barely understand what they hell they're saying. They could just as well sing it with auto-tune half the time, for crying out loud.

I can't carry a tune. Should I not be allowed to sing the national anthem? I wouldn't butcher it because I changed it, I'd just butcher it because I can't sing very well.

 

[drlove]

I'm trying to figure out how long the anthem should be. my unscientific study tells me that if you are over minute 30 , it might be too long. The one at Boston was great and lasted roughly minute 28ish.

 

[CYCLNST8]

It pisses me off to see people not removing their hats/paying attention.

 

[Wesley]

All I have to say about the National Anthem is that whoever sings it should sing it normally and quit trying to make their own versions. They often suck and the Anthem is not about the singer. The two I saw yesterday just about caused me to have a melt down. I think it should be a law that you sing it in it's original, intended structure. It is one of my biggest pet peeves. End rant.

Yep. However, I will give a waiver to the Jimmy Hendrix version.

 

[CyLoboClone]

I'm a professional singer/choir director. I only sing it as intended and when I'm in a crowd, you bet your *** I sing it loud and proud.

 

[BryceC]

I lived in Australia for a few months a while ago and went to a really big rugby match (state of origin) at the Olympic stadium and the whole dang place sang their national anthem. It was incredibly loud. I'll never forget it.

 

[tm3308]

I can't carry a tune. Should I not be allowed to sing the national anthem? I wouldn't butcher it because I changed it, I'd just butcher it because I can't sing very well.

Obviously, not everyone can carry a tune; hell, I can't either. But not everyone is a recording artist, either. They aren't pulling you or me off the street to sing the national anthem on TV. They're pulling professionals in, and when they butcher it, it's not because they CAN'T carry a tune. It's because they're consciously making changes.

 

[clone52]

Obviously, not everyone can carry a tune; hell, I can't either. But not everyone is a recording artist, either. They aren't pulling you or me off the street to sing the national anthem on TV. They're pulling professionals in, and when they butcher it, it's not because they CAN'T carry a tune. It's because they're consciously making changes.

Based on your comments on Whitney Houston's version of it, you are okay with changes, as long as you think the changes are good.

I still maintain that the words mean far more the that the tune. The words were written during a battle to maintain the freedom of America. The standard tune was agreed upon by 5 musicians in the early 1900's.

Musicians have a gift. If they want to put their gift to use to show their patriotism, who are you to judge them?