# NO MORE "Interpretive" Performances of The National Anthem! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 15, 2000, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493 "2000-08-15T21:25:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![APB9999](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e8cbc/32.png) [@APB9999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APB9999)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2000, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/21 "2000-08-17T08:25:11Z")
I was going to say what Revedge said (except for the part about being in a marching band). I don’t mind interpretive versions, as long as they’re good and appropriate to the purpose of the anthem. Most of them are crap. I also give my vote to America The Beautiful as best alternative anthem. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2000, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/22 "2000-08-17T11:34:21Z")
Like it or not, it is our national anthem. It should be sung with respect. Roseanne should have been taken out and flogged for what she did. That said, the Jimmy Hendrix version is about as good as it gets. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2000, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/23 "2000-08-17T11:56:05Z")
The Hendrix interpretation epitomized the feeling of an entire generation. I doubt any other version before or since will ever have that effect. The Irish National anthem has no room for variation at all, but when you translate the words into English, you can see why. (its a march, basicly) Soldiers are we Who’s lives are pleged to Ireland, Some have come, from a land beyond the waves, Sworn to be free, No more our ancient Sireland, shall shelter the despot or the slave. Tonight we man the Bearna Baoil (a place) In Irelands cause come woe or wail Mid Cannons Roar and Rifle’s peal, We shall sing a soldiers Song. what we get over here is a load of assholes who start cheering before the last 2 lines. Pisses me off totally. ---
**Author:** ![Needs2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5e925/32.png) [@Needs2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Needs2know)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2000, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/24 "2000-08-17T13:12:12Z")
Funny you should mention this subject. All this week A & E has been running a Biography series on rock legends. Tuesday night was Jimi Hendrix. They talked about his “rendition” of the national anthem, it created a bit of controversy at the time. But what they did bring out was the fact that his “version” meant something to an awful lot of people at the time. Yeah, it was different, but for a lot of the guys stationed in Vietnam it meant something. It is a little annoying to hear people “exercise” their vocal skills. Scale sliding is agravating to the ear and egotistical as hell. What I think is that as long as this particular song is done with conviction and respect then a little different interpretation now and then can add meaning. Roseanne Barr needed her fat little ass paddled for being so disrespectful, but then they shouldn’t have asked her to sing in the first place. Her version is probably the worst yet. Needs2know ---
**Author:** ![Spider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Spider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spider)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2000, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/25 "2000-08-17T14:34:47Z")
No, the worst I saw was at a Knicks game. Whichever insignificant celebrity was singing forgot the words. Rather than try to cover for it by humming (which I have also heard) she just stopped singing. They stopped the music, someone walked out to center court and whispered the lines in her ear, and they resumed from where she left off. Another potential singing career tragically cut short. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2000, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/26 "2000-08-17T14:41:20Z")
Hey, last night I threw away all my Charlie Parker records. The dumb fucker would never play “How High the Moon” the same way twice. Can you believe that shit? {sarcasm off} I actually like the idea of “Yankee Doodle” as the national anthem. ---
**Author:** ![zwaldd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a9adbd/32.png) [@zwaldd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwaldd)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2000, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/27 "2000-08-18T14:52:57Z")
hendrix’s version was not wildly ‘interperetive’, which is why it stands out as being such a great instrumental version. he threw in ‘explosion’ sound effects (it was during the war, right?) and wandered off into ‘taps’ for a couple of bars (can’t think of a more traditional way to honor the dead), but the notes he played for the actual lyric parts could have come right out of his first ‘mel bay’ tutorial. you can sing along with his woodstock rendition without wondering what note he’ll hit next. i think i remember seeing a ‘behind the music’ where srv got booed out of the stadium for his own crappy version of the 'banner. anyone remember what happened there? did he get too interpretive or did he just screw up? ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2000, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/28 "2000-08-18T17:08:59Z")
A thread about really bad performances of the National Anthem and no one mentioned Carl Lewis yet? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2000, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/29 "2000-08-18T17:30:57Z")
> [@](#): > > I, for one, believe that The National Anthem is not open to interpretive performances and should be sung/performed EXACTLY AS IT WAS WRITTEN AND SCORED, or not at all. I agree completely. No more of this silly nonsense about flags and bursting bombs. If we are going to use this godawful piece of anti-music as the national anthem, let’s sing it as it was written: > [@](#): > > To Anacreon in Heav’n, where he sat in full glee > A few Sons of Harmony sent a petition > That he their Inspirer and Patron would be; > When this answer arrived from the Jolly Old Grecian: > "Voice, Fiddle, and Flute, no longer be mute, > I’ll lend you my name and inspire you to boot, > > ``` > CHORUS: > And besides I'll instruct you, like me, to intwine > The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine" > > ``` > > The news through Olympus immediately flew; > When Old Thunder pretended to give himself airs. > “If these Mortals are suffered their scheme to pursue, > The devil a Goddess, will stay above stairs.” > Hark, already they cry, in transports of joy, > "Away to the Sons of Anacreon we’ll fly, > > ``` > CHORUS: > And there with good fellows, we'll learn to intwine > The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine" > > ``` > > The Yellow-Haired God and his nine fusty Maids > From Helicon’s bank will incontinent flee, > Idalia will boast of tenantless Shades, > And the bi-forked hill a mere desert will be. > My Thunder, no fear on’t, shall do its errand, > And dam’me I’ll swing the Ringleaders I warrant. > > ``` > CHORUS: > I'll trim the young dogs, for thus daring to twine > The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine. > > ``` > > Apollo rose up, and said “Prythee ne’er quarrel, > Good King of the Gods, with my Vot’ries below: > Your Thunder is useless”-- then showing his laurel, > Cry’d "Sic evitabile fulmen, you know! > Then over each head my laurels I’ll spread, > So my sons from your Crackers no mischief shall dread, > > ``` > CHORUS: > While, snug in their clubroom, they jovially twine > The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine." > > ``` > > Next Momus got up with his risible Phiz > And swore with Apollo he’d cheerfully join – > “The full tide of Harmony still shall be his, > But the Song and the Catch, and the Laugh shall be mine. > Then, Jove, be not jealous of these honest fellows.” > Cry’d Jove, "we relent, since the truth you now tell us; > > ``` > CHORUS: > And swear by old Styx, that they long shall intwine > The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine." > > ``` > > Ye Sons of Anacreon, then join hand in hand; > Preserve Unanimity, Friendship, and Love! > 'Tis yours to support what’s so happily plann’d; > You’ve the sanctions of Gods, and the Fiat of Jove. > While thus we agree, our toast let it be: > "May our Club flourish Happy, United, and Free! > > ``` > CHORUS: > And long may the Sons of Anacreon intwine > The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine." > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2000, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/30 "2000-08-18T22:44:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by adam yax \* > \*\*Would you suggest that somebody go out and burn all the copies of Hendrix’s version of the Star Strangled Banner? \*\* Did nobody else notice my little screw up? ---
**Author:** ![tiggeril](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tiggeril/32/7234_2.png) [@tiggeril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiggeril)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2000, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/31 "2000-08-18T22:58:37Z")
Yep. I figured it wasn’t worth mentioning, lest I be invited to remove the stick from my ass. ---
**Author:** ![smilingjaws](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@smilingjaws](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smilingjaws)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2000, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/32 "2000-08-18T23:27:58Z")
I’m with singing the song without added words and that damned annoying warbling around the note, too! But, what do I know–I hate all that warbling stuff that sounds like the singer can’t keep a note for more than 1 second. ---
**Author:** ![FreakFreely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/48db29/32.png) [@FreakFreely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FreakFreely)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/33 "2000-08-19T00:13:19Z")
I’d like to third the motion to have “Yankee Doodle” as our anthem (yes, I’m serious). But then, it’s probably too late to change it. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/34 "2000-08-19T00:25:22Z")
Rastahomie, I am definitely with you. I’ve heard the Canadian anthem at US/Canada ball games and they haven’t, in my hearing, butchered theirs the way ours has been. Whoever said that Rosanne should be taken out and flogged for doing as she did, well, I feel like that too. My father, who is NOT a rock the boat personality, a law and order kind of guy, said it would have been worth getting arrested to be able to run out onto the field and take the mike away from her. I told him I would have run interference. As a Kansas City Royals fan I cringed when I watched the Oak Ridge Boys walk out onto the field before the sixth game of the 1985 World Series. I’d never seen them and they looked a tad, well, strange. But was I ever suprised when they didn’t mess it up but simply sang it with regular timing in perfect four part harmony. Taught me not to necessarily judge a book by its’ cover. And I saw Toni Tenille(did I spell that name right?) when she sang at a Dodger’s game. She was popular then, but didn’t mess it up. And before she started she asked the crowd “Won’t you please all join me in singing our National Anthem?” So she wasn’t just performing to show off. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/35 "2000-08-19T01:52:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FreakFreely \* > \*\*But then, it’s probably too late to change it. \*\* It’s NEVER too late! Never say die! Don’t tread on me! We’re AMERKINS, god dammit! Who’s with me and **Freak** and **elucidator?** C’mon, rally round the flag, boys! \*And every time they shot it off It took a horn of powder And made a noise like Father’s gun Only a nation louder. “Yankee Doodle” is the tune American’s delight in Twill do to whistle, sing, or play And JUST the thing for fightin’.\* ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/36 "2000-08-19T02:38:44Z")
Yeah, but how many countries have changed THEIR anthems? Look at Russia- Prior to 1918-God Save the Tsar 1918±Internationale And now what is it? France is what-the Marselaise? And England has God Save the Queen/King ---
**Author:** ![APB9999](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e8cbc/32.png) [@APB9999](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/APB9999)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/37 "2000-08-19T03:03:50Z")
Yankee Doodle is a servicable little tune, but it’s a bit trite to serve as the national anthem: > [@](#): > > Yankee Doodle went to town > Riding on a pony, > Stuck a feather in his cap > And called it “macaroni” > > CHORUS: > _Yankke Doodle keep it up, > Yankee Doodle, dandy, > Mind the music and the step, > And with the girls be handy._ > > Father and I went down to camp, > Along with Captain Gooding, > And there we see the men and boys, > As thick as hasty pudding. > > And there we see a thousand men > As rich as 'Squire David; > And what they wasted every day, > I wish it could be saved. > > The 'lasses they eat every day > Would keep a house in winter. > They have so much that I’ll be bound > They eat it when they’re a mind to. > > And there we see a swamping gun > Large as a log of maple, > Upon a deuced little cart, > A load for father’s cattle. > > And every time they shot it off, > It takes a horn of powder, > And makes a noise like father’s gun, > Only a nation louder. There also seem to me to be some syllables in there that don’t quite fit the tune, obviously because of pronounciation changes. Not quite America The Beautiful, at any rate. ---
**Author:** ![Spider\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@Spider\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spider_Woman)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/38 "2000-08-19T03:18:37Z")
I like our national anthem best when it is done by a band or orchestra with no singing, or when everyone in the audience sings with the band. At our local basketball games, the high school choral “stars” have been singing it and giving their own interpretations of it, and I cringe. ---
**Author:** ![alibey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@alibey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alibey)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2000, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/39 "2000-08-20T05:56:01Z")
I also dislike it when singers do interpretive reditions of the National Anthem. It is one thing to be standing for one of these before a sporting event and being able tosit afterword. It is another when this is done durring an Army cerimony, while wearing a helmet, web gear (belt ans suspenders that hold some gear) and a weapon (with or without bayanet) standing out in the hot sun and have 30 minutes to an hour before the cerimony ends. The interpretive reditions just makes it that much longer, and grates on the ears. I also dislike the warbling, if they can’t hold the note, then they shouldn’t try. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2000, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493/40 "2000-08-20T21:51:01Z")
“America the Beautiful”? Bah! What a load of PC tripe. “Oh, let’s replace our old national anthem, it’s so hard to sing! Let’s use this sweet little tune about mountains waving purple fruit all over the plain!” Screw that. “The Star-Spangled Banner” is the one song that gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. You can have your “America the Beautiful”, you bunch of tree-hugging, dirt-munching, druidic nancy-boys. Me and the rest of the U.S. of A. will keep our “rockets’ red glare”. And yeah, interpretive versions of “The Star-Spangled Banner” bug me immensely as well. I leave the room whenever some Mariah Carey wannabee inserts a few hundred extra warbling notes at random. It’s disrespectful and it borders on artistic butchery. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-more-interpretive-performances-of-the-national-anthem/29493.md?page=3)