Wednesday, February 23, 2011

national anthem

A professional singer struggled with the lyrics of the national anthem on Superbowl Sunday. I am torn between a compassionate and critical response.

.

On the one hand, we're only human. I would hope that I could be treated with grace when I goof up. Even if it is a glaring error. The Golden Rule applies here just as much as anywhere else.

.

On the other hand, we're talking about a professional singer doing her nation's anthem at the most public event imaginable. How could this happen?

.

For future reference: Any professional singer who has even a remote possibility of singing his or her nation's anthem should be responsible enough to memorize the lyrics, and stand ready to do the best rendition possible... or decline the invitation to sing it. The song has four verses, and they're only expected to do one verse. The song is about our flag, which represents our people. The singer also represents our people. It is a high honor and should not be taken lightly. At the very least, it should be treated with the same professionalism that earned the singer a celebrity status.

.

As for Christina Aguilera. It happened. It's over. I don't like the idea of a harsh reaction to her song. Let me end on a positive note. (No pun intended.) The singers in this video did a beautiful job.

13 comments:

imac said...

She goofed my friend, she must have sung that theme many times during the coming weeks, still, as you say, it happens, she must feel that she has let ev1 down.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Craver: The girls did a wonderful job on the anthem.

George said...

Thanks for sharing this video. The girls did a magnificent job with the National Anthem -- beautiful!

Gaelyn said...

It happens. Sometimes we forget the words. Not the end of the world.

Carletta said...

Hi Craver,
At the very least a teleprompter would be in order.
Granted she made a mistake but it should have been practiced enough to be second nature. I think it would help if the singer just sang it and didn't try to redo the notes or make it 'theirs'.
It's funny I came here today. I just saw this video today on a friend's facebook page. These little girls should do the Super Bowl next year. :)

Craver Vii said...

Imac, I wish I knew how she really felt about this. It would direct my tone on this whole thing.

I was impressed with these young ladies, Fishing Guy. It made me wonder how much each got paid for their performance, and who deserved the bigger bucks.

George, these ladies have a few more songs on the internet. Of course, we're only seeing some of the recorded performances. I wonder if they can be consistently good in live performances as well.

Craver Vii said...

That may be a good attitude for you and me, Gaelyn... because we're not professional entertainers. But it is terribly lazy and irresponsible when any person behind the mic takes that attitude. For Christina, this is her job, and she is getting paid a vulgar amount of money to sing that song. Everybody who has anything to do with the Superbowl will propel or cripple their reputation on that big day, and when they sing the National Anthem, it reflects on the reputation of our country as well.

Carletta, when a performer makes their arrangement, it it carefully plotted out. I don't understand the super-long ending on the National Anthem, because you know that people will start cheering near the end, and the "big finish" is kind of a wasted effort.

I wouldn't mind seeing the "Cactus Cuties" do the Superbowl next year.

happyone said...

That was beautiful.

EG CameraGirl said...

The mind and memory can cause strange things to happen, Craver, especially under pressure. I'm sure she's mortified!

Shammickite said...

I watched that performance and I din't notice anything wrong, but I wasn't really concentrating. And I don't really know the words to your anthem anyway.
I don't like it when a singer twiddles about with the notes, just get on with it and sing it as it was meant to be sung is my opinion.

Sharon said...

I'll keep my opinions about that whole fiasco to myself, and just say those girls are GREAT!! Hope you are well, I have a new blog address - http://liveoutloudpics.blogspot.com/

lime said...

wish the sound on my computer worked so i could hear the girls singing. they seem to be popping up in lots of places.

Craver Vii said...

Thanks, Happyone. This version is how I imagine it should be. Now, I'd like to see some male voices sing it well also.

I sure hope so, EG. I'd like to give her the benefit of the doubt, there.

The Superbowl performance had the wrong words, Shammy. :-(

Good to see you again, Sharon! "Fiasco" describes a lot of what happens on TV. Thanks for the updated info. I'll fix my side bar right away.

It's worth hearing, Lime. Try it again when you get the chance.