Flair and the National Anthem

[maxiesmom]

Am I the only one bothered when the singer adds all sorts of "flair" when they sing the National Anthem? I'm watching the start of tonight's Nascar race, and the singer had to add her own touch to the song. Holding notes that are never held, adding swoops and dips to the music that isn't there. It wasn't good.

Why can't people sing it the way it is written? Ugh. Am I the only one this bothers?

 

[Octoberbride03]

I thought it was very good. I didn't hear any touches, just a lot emotion in her voice. Not at all surprising consider she followed right on the heels of TAPS. I don't think emotion counts as a personal touch.

 

[robinb]

No. It doesn't bother me at all. I like when it doesn't sound like a recording.

 

[maxiesmom]

I didn't find it emotional at all. There were pauses where there shouldn't be, and notes stretched out that are not supposed to be stretched out. It wasn't unique in a good way to me.

I think to me it is the same as if the person playing TAPS had decided to add a bunch of flourishes that didn't belong. Some music needs to be presented the way it is written. It shows respect. There is a time and place and music to which you can add your personality. The National Anthem is not it.

 

[Mokat76]

I didn't find it emotional at all. There were pauses where there shouldn't be, and notes stretched out that are not supposed to be stretched out. It wasn't unique in a good way to me.

I think to me it is the same as if the person playing TAPS had decided to add a bunch of flourishes that didn't belong. Some music needs to be presented the way it is written. It shows respect. There is a time and place and music to which you can add your personality. The National Anthem is not it.

I agree with this. Spare us your "creative genius" and just sing the song.

 

[disykat]

I didn't hear this version, but I agree with you 100%.

 

[Jennasis]

Doesn't bother me at all.

 

[andysomma1]

Am I the only one bothered when the singer adds all sorts of "flair" when they sing the National Anthem? I'm watching the start of tonight's Nascar race, and the singer had to add her own touch to the song. Holding notes that are never held, adding swoops and dips to the music that isn't there. It wasn't good.

Why can't people sing it the way it is written? Ugh. Am I the only one this bothers?

Agreed

 

[crayon3448]

I do agree that there are some singers who take it to far and "oversing" trying to make it more about themselves showing off than the meaning to the song. But I think some embellishment is good- it personalizes the song for the singer, and IMO singing the anthem should be personal to everyone.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I don't mind most embellishments when they fit. I don't like them when they are a blatant attempt to make the song longer and prolong their time on stage/camera.

 

[plutotek]

As long as it doesn't get the Roseanne treatment and the singer remembers all the words, there is nothing wrong w/adding their own touches. All the holier-than-thou sanctimony over performances that don't violate those 2 criteria is just ridiculous.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Am I the only one bothered when the singer adds all sorts of "flair" when they sing the National Anthem? I'm watching the start of tonight's Nascar race, and the singer had to add her own touch to the song. Holding notes that are never held, adding swoops and dips to the music that isn't there. It wasn't good.

Why can't people sing it the way it is written? Ugh. Am I the only one this bothers?

I did not hear but agree there is a time and place for everything

 

[Nancy]

I agree with this. Spare us your "creative genius" and just sing the song.

I agree. Just sing the song. This is not American Idol, you don't have to "make it your own"

ETA: I did not hear the version in question and I did not thinking having an opinion makes me holier than thou..what ever that means.

 

[travelbug]

Why can't people sing it the way it is written? Ugh. Am I the only one this bothers?

No, you're not the only one. I tend to agree.

 

[maxiesmom]

As long as it doesn't get the Roseanne treatment and the singer remembers all the words, there is nothing wrong w/adding their own touches. All the holier-than-thou sanctimony over performances that don't violate those 2 criteria is just ridiculous.

Why do you think it is ridiculous? Do you not have any music that you think should be sacred, in that it should be performed the way it is written? To me the National Anthem is sacred that way, as is TAPS. And while Hail to the Chief is not "sacred" I wouldn't care to hear someone else's interpretation of it as the President was walking in.

Some music needs no personal touches. And most times it does seem as singers are now using being asked to sing in public as a time to show off what they can do vocally. There is a time and place for it, and the National Anthem is not that time, imho. I wouldn't care if it was Beyonce singing, she shouldn't add a bunch of woooohas to it.

 

[minkydog]

Why do you think it is ridiculous? Do you not have any music that you think should be sacred, in that it should be performed the way it is written? To me the National Anthem is sacred that way, as is TAPS. And while Hail to the Chief is not "sacred" I wouldn't care to hear someone else's interpretation of it as the President was walking in.

Some music needs no personal touches. And most times it does seem as singers are now using being asked to sing in public as a time to show off what they can do vocally. There is a time and place for it, and the National Anthem is not that time, imho. I wouldn't care if it was Beyonce singing, she shouldn't add a bunch of woooohas to it.

I wholeheartedly agree. Sing the National Anthem straight. If you need to jockey it up, make up your own song and give this performance to someone who wil sing it correctly. Nobody wants to hear your yodeling.

 

[TinkerBelled]

My big problem is that people do it so poorly. Whitney can get away with it; very few people can Whitney.

 

[chipsgirl1030]

I agree 100%

 

[HelenePA]

I heard it for tonights race.. I didn't like it.. its not just you op!

 

[Aliceacc]

I think to me it is the same as if the person playing TAPS had decided to add a bunch of flourishes that didn't belong. Some music needs to be presented the way it is written. It shows respect. There is a time and place and music to which you can add your personality. The National Anthem is not it.

I agree, absolutely.

Those two songs are about respect, not artistic licence. Note to singers: "IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU!!!"

It also annoys me when the crowd goes crazy after "land of the free." Yeah, I know it's a high note. But hold your applause until the song is over. That last line counts.