Memo to all potential national anthem performers
One of my all-time favorite quotes that I have ever read was from Anita Baker, who was a popular soul singer during the '80s and still performs occasionally, in advance of her singing the anthem before Game 2 of the 2006 World Series in her hometown of Detroit. Someone from the Detroit Free Press caught up with her by phone in her hotel room in Las Vegas, where she was performing before flying to Detroit, and this person asked her to what degree she planned to personalize the anthem. What she said was simple, but incredibly appropo.
``It's not about me. It's about the song.''
That is a statement that should be read, memorized and taken to heart by anyone and everyone who ever sings the anthem at a sporting event -- and especially by whoever that woman was who played it on a violin before tonight's game. It wasn't her fault that the microphone cut out on her early in the song. But it WAS her fault that she added all those contrived flourishes onto the end of it that made the song virtually unrecognizable. Just PLAY/SING THE SONG!!! Don't jazz it up. Don't personalize it. Don't give it any special touches. It's pretty special already.
I find that most people who sing the anthem with all the runs and phrasing of an American Idol contestant are either trying to get a record contract or have a low level contract and are trying to get noticed by a producer, an A&R type or a group that might be interested in them. The Anita Bakers and Jeffrey Osbornes of the world will always give you an honest song with simple phrasing.
Frankly though, I'm not a huge fan of the Anthem. I'd rather them sing "America the Beautiful" (nicer, less violent song that's easier to sing and is always shorter) and God Bless America at the 7th inning (before take me out to the Ballgame). But that's just one man's opinion.
Good points, Team. I'll make another one: the word ``free'' -- as in ``the land of the free'' -- has ONE SYLLABLE. Not two. One.
Ohhhhhh, don't get me started on anthem singers! You'd think that in LA-LA Land they could at least find people who can hold a tune ... WHO selects these people anyway? Are the rejects THAT bad?
It's set to the tune of a British drinking song. It's supposed to be sung quickly with some pep. And some respect. It's not a dirge, it's not a country-western tune. Stay on target with "free" (yes Tony, it's one syllable, no reaching for the high note), and I'll even applaud you when it's over.
Choirs tend to do it best, blonde celebrities the worst. And no, I can't do any better. But then, I'll never audition for it.
``Choirs tend to do it best, blonde celebrities the worst.'' Great line, Andrea. Made me laugh out loud.
Tony, Tony, Tony,
"One of my favorite quotes" woulda done the job well.
"All-time" is redundant.
"...that I have ever read..." is even moreso.
You'd be a halfway-decent writer if you'd embrace the simple notion less is more.
Actually, Tony, Anita Baker reached the peak of her popularity in 1995 when "Sweet Love" hit the #1 spot on the charts...
Dud is absolutely right. Not to make excuses, but I don't like to post DURING a game, so I was just cranking that one out as quickly as I could because the game had already started. Clumsy syntax at best. Just plain bad writing at worst. But I think I got my point across. ... And Mario, I'm not saying you're wrong and I'm not saying I'm right, but I am almost certain that Sweet Love was released in 1985, not 1995. ... Oh, one more key piece of advice to anthem singers: ALWAYS come in under two minutes. Always, always, always.