A message from a Marine Colonel...

[Heel n Toe]

...to those asked to sing our national anthem at a sporting event. One of my high school classmates posted this on Facebook.



I'm sure most of us have felt the same way many times when a singer
thinks that warbling and yodeling is an improvement... or maybe they
can't hit and/or hold the notes... or don't care to learn the correct phrasing
of the original.

However I heard one version that I thought was exceptional. I was
very moved by José Feliciano's Star-Spangled Banner during the
1968 World Series... in my opinion it was very reverent and heartfelt.

[Heel n Toe]

[Norm K]

The statement doesn't read at all like the writings of any Marine colonel I ever knew (well, maybe an Air-Winger), and I knew and served with many. Even if legit, though, it's certainly not current, as there hasn't been - with precious few exceptions - an 86-year-old WWII veteran in over a decade.

What is legit is the message the statement conveys, but it should stand on its own merit rather than on someone's attempt to give it gravitas by citing a (likely, IMHO) fictional author.

_

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Norm K

The statement doesn't read at all like the writings of any Marine colonel I ever knew (well, maybe an Air-Winger), and I knew and served with many. Even if legit, though, it's certainly not current, as there hasn't been - with precious few exceptions - an 86-year-old WWII veteran in over a decade.

What is legit is the message the statement conveys, but it should stand on its own merit rather than on someone's attempt to give it gravitas by citing a (likely, IMHO) fictional author.

_

Right, I see these sorts of posts all of the time, and cringe. Is it possible that the post is truthful and accurate, sure. It it likely that someone composed it in a way that they thought sounded more impactful, absolutely!

It may as well be attributed to Mark Twain.

[Dixie]

Okay, the supposed Col. has a preference on how the song should be sung. Good for him; however, it's a rather bombastic, selfish, request. Singers are free to warble whatever cringe worthy version they see fit. Without that freedom we'd have never been graced by versions such as those by Jimi Hendrix or Jose Feliciano.

[fintstone]

I would have to agree with the original post.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Capt. Carrera

Okay, the supposed Col. has a preference on how the song should be sung. Good for him; however, it's a rather bombastic, selfish, request. Singers are free to warble whatever cringe worthy version they see fit. Without that freedom we'd have never been graced by versions such as those by Jimi Hendrix or Jose Feliciano.

I get the sentiment in the OP, and would prefer a more straight-forward rendition without someone like Mariah Carey doing a ton of warbling. But at the same time the idea that the singers (artists) would think that respecting the anthem means that they would not perform that embellishment is silly. It's entirely possible that a singer with an amazing voice feels that they are honoring the anthem by pushing their voice to make the song rendition as "magnificent" as possible. This whole thing is based on opinion, and frankly sounds like the opinion of an old white guy (I'm cringing to have typed that, and am an old white guy in training myself).

This whole thing reminds me of the truth in this video (which pretty much directly applies in this circumstance.

How do you make a law about offending people?
How do you make an offense to offend people?
Being offended is subjective.
It has everything to do with you as an individual or collective or group or society or community, your moral conditioning, your religious beliefs.
What offends me may not offend you, and you want to make laws about this?
Im offended when I see boy bands for God sake.


It's a valid offense.
I'm offended.
They're corporate shills posing as musicians to further a modeling career, and frankly, I'm disgusted.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Amazing voice, beautiful rendition done like very, very few could ever manage.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

Interesting, I had no idea and had never heard about that. I'm familiar with Jose Feliciano, but not with this incident. I liked his version. I think people were far more grumpy about his version than anything that's happened since. I suppose as long as they don't ask Marilyn Manson or Ozzy to do it, we're probably pretty safe.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Yea, I don't know about the veracity of the statement, but I can see the point of view. My son is coming up on 10 years in the Army. He's been in Iraq, Afghanistan and now Korea during super bowls. His main concern is that it is done with respect, and that doesn't necessarily mean like you were in Kindergarten. Just that the words are sung with some feeling and you can understand it. Feliciano's version was from the heart. Others maybe not as much. We both have a bigger issue with the overblown half time shows. It's a football game. Let it just be that.

[Flatbutt1]

I too ardently feel that it must be sung with respect and reverence. I really get a chapped azz when people fail to stand and show respect, but I also understand that such is freedom.

If Roseanne Barr is the low point on the scale it is hard to say any other version is as bad.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Flatbutt1

I too ardently feel that it must be sung with respect and reverence. I really get a chapped azz when people fail to stand and show respect, but I also understand that such is freedom.

If Roseanne Barr is the low point on the scale it is hard to say any other version is as bad.

I'm far more bothered by folks that don't stand or worse yet, take a knee, than by an artist performing it their own way.

Yes, the RB version is horrible. Who thought that was a good idea?

[KFC911]

As long as it isn't Yoko screeching the anthem and it's done with respect... I'm good. Many (unlike Whitney) simply don't have the range and have to alter it.... it's not an easy song to solo.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by KC911

As long as it isn't Yoko screeching the anthem and it's done with respect... I'm good. Many (unlike Whitney) simply don't have the range and have to alter it.... it's not an easy song to solo.

I don't know if she's ever done it (and I don't want to know) but it would have to be up there in the running for the worst with Roseanne.

I'd rather hear a little kid or 30 little kids get out on the field and sing it.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by masraum

...

I'd rather hear a little kid or 30 little kids get out on the field and sing it.

Yep ... and I've heard some young kids simply nail it ....

As far as halftime show .... haven't watched one since The Red Hot Chili Milli Vanilli played "unplugged"

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Jimi Hendrix nailed it one cold morning in NY.

[Flatbutt1]

Originally Posted by KC911

Yep ... and I've heard some young kids simply nail it ....

As far as halftime show .... haven't watched one since The Red Hot Chili Milli Vanilli played "unplugged"

You'll like this kid

[MAS956]

I think I heard that Reba will be singing the National Anthem at the Superbowl this year. I wouldn't expect much in the way of "gyrations"...

[pwd72s]

I'm thinking Reba will do just fine..