National Anthem

[northoftheborder]

Watching US Open opening ceremonies; my strong opinion about our national anthem is that it should NOT be sung in a "jazzed" version. It is a difficult song to sing, even as written; I usually squirm when it is sung by most people, even professional musicians, when it is over-interpreted or overly dramatized; the most beautiful version of it I have ever heard was the Air Force Chorus; they know how to sing, and do it beautifully. Other viewpoints?

[rubberducky]

1. Marvin Gaye! THE BEST version ever!

[JuniperLea]

3. Is it in the YouTubes?

Cuz I love Marvin Gaye!

[rubberducky]

4. Yes, but I`m not good at links. Please check it out. It really is special.

[JuniperLea]

5. Thanks! I will!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A

There were a couple of them! He was really something!

[Fire1]

10. Of Course!! That's a given! He makes a 'bad' song sound

great.

[betharina]

11. i agree, the best version ever! *link*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A

[JuniperLea]

2. I go to a lot of Dodger games...

I tend to agree with you on this. I'm beginning to wonder if some people are "buying" the privilege... there have been some real stinkers lately. Not just "jazzier" versions, but really putrid voices rendering horrific, screechy tones! Ick!

[Cetacea]

6. Agreed. And tennis players shouldn't scream when hitting

I'm referring specifically to the Williams sisters (Venus sounds like she is being murdered) and Maria Sharapova...

There is absolutely no reason to scream at 100 plus decibels no matter how hard you are hitting the ball (ie, Lindsay Davenport, B.J King, Federer, Roddick, etc...)

I actually root for theses three players to lose so I don't have to hear them through two week Slams.
On a more serious note it has a bad influence on young players who now think this is normal and somehow becoming.

end of rant. Thanks for the OP. I think "America ,the Beautiful" should be the anthem anyway.

[Fire1]

8. I take it you don't play. I think the others' are just mimicking

the Williams' sisters. Why? B/c I didn't start hearing it until they came on the scene.

[LostinVA]

12. Monica Seles was doing it 20 years ago n/t

[Fire1]

13. 20 or so years ago, I only watched when Martina played. n/t

[Cetacea]

17. Yup. She was the exception though.

Now both men and women are doing it in increasing numbers (and volume).

[Cetacea]

16. Actually, I do play. It's gamesmanship to throw off the opponents timing.

Federer and Nadal once did an exhibition and Nadal remarked that they'd be hitting the ball back and forth and making loud noises to make people "think we are hitting the ball harder than we actually are".

[RKP5637]

7. I agree, the Air Force Chorus does an excellent job!!! n/t

[izquierdista]

9. I like the instrumental version

by Jimi Hendrix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tsYe4hdONY

[ladywnch]

14. I agree. I don't need you trying to show off running scales while sining the anthem.

I actually prefer Canada's anthem. it is absolutely beautiful.

[Fire1]

15. It is much better than ours. n/t

[Omar4Dems]

18. "America the Beautiful" would be a far better anthem, anyway.

nt

[Cetacea]

20. Agreed. n/t

[rgbecker]

Jimi Hendricks

[rgbecker]

19. Jimi Hendricks