I went to a high school band concert the other night and the first song they played was The National Anthem. The program listed it as such. This high school's rendition of it fused our anthem with America The Beautiful. I can't tell you exactly when America The Beautiful joined in, but it did. I'm not a music guy, but I know when a song is played as a medley or a round like row row row your boat. Anyway, I found this disrespectful to The National Anthem. What do you think?
This particular example doesnt sound so bad. But, I can say that I despise when singers use the Anthem as a means to showcase their vocal range and hold notes insanely long, continuously...I dont know the word for it but lets use "reverberate" (ex: and the hooooo---ohohohohoohommmmme). Just sing the lyrics as written in your best voice.
May 15, 2025, 11:44 AM
PHPaul
What dwd1985 said.
In a concert, and in that combination, I'd be okay with it.
Sung (or played) as the opening to an event, be it sporting, political or whatever - Sing/Play it as written then shut the fuck up and sit down. Anything else is disrespectful.
Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
May 15, 2025, 01:26 PM
Rey HRH
I suppose that combination is not too disrespectful. But I would like a clear separation. Still leap years better than Fegie singing the national item.
"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.
May 15, 2025, 03:38 PM
WaterburyBob
Runs don't belong in the Anthem - it's about respect, not your singing abilities. Stick to the original notes.
I especially hate hearing "O'er the land of the free-EEEEEEEEEEEEE" ... Newsmax has a little ad with that.
"If Gun Control worked, Chicago would look like Mayberry, not Thunderdome" - Cam Edwards
Originally posted by WaterburyBob: Runs don't belong in the Anthem - it's about respect, not your singing abilities. Stick to the original notes.
I especially hate hearing "O'er the land of the free-EEEEEEEEEEEEE" ...
That just makes the hair on my neck stand up . I hate it .
May 15, 2025, 11:16 PM
drill sgt
Sing it as written..... Then shut up.............................. drill sgt.
May 18, 2025, 03:20 PM
flesheatingvirus
Free country. They can sing/alter it however they like. I'm fine with it so long as the intent is not to be disrespectful. If that is someone's intent, then they are assholes.
________________________________________
-- Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past me I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. --
May 18, 2025, 11:19 PM
Prefontaine
As a musician, right up there with karaoke. If you can’t sing as good or better than Prince, then leave it the fuck alone. Play the original as intended, and just leave it alone.
What am I doing? I'm talking to an empty telephone