# Top it off with Celine Dion and Willie Nelson **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 22, 2001, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149 "2001-09-22T03:02:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sultan\_Kinkari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7bcc69/32.png) [@Sultan\_Kinkari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sultan_Kinkari)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/21 "2001-09-22T03:56:42Z")
I thought it was nice to see all those stars together in one place. The whole show was kind of [shitty](http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/audio.pl?shit0003.wav=shitty) but it was for a good cause. Awww [shit.](http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/audio.pl?shit0001.wav=shit) ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/22 "2001-09-22T04:13:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doctordec \* > \*\*Perhaps you don’t understand so I’ll spell it out… > > THE ENEMY IS HIDDEN, BUT THEY’RE HIDDEN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. QUITE FRANKLY, I DON’T TRUST THE “POWERS THAT BE” TO PROTECT ME FROM THE EASTER BUNNY.\*\* Is that paranoia I smell? BTW, using all caps doesn’t clarify your statement IT JUST MAKES IT MORE ANNOYING. See? Let’s go back to that your original statements: > [@](#): > > You can’t defeat lawless heathens by lighting candles and swaying to the music. No one is trying to defeat lawless heathens by doing this. They’re trying to raise money needed for relief in NYC. I don’t think anyone involved in tonight’s telethon expects bin Laden to catch it on a satellite feed and exclaim he was wrong and turn himself in. > [@](#): > > If all the performers had been holding up loaded M-16s I would have been enthused. Yeah, cuz nothing’s as patriotic as seeing bloodthirsty celebrities holding loaded weapons that they’re probably not trained in handling. Why would this enthuse you? What does that prove to anyone, other than the telethon had a good prop department? What would be the point of that? > [@](#): > > Trust me, after Pearl Harbor, nobody lit candles and held hands, they bought more ammo. Who’s “they” in this sentence, the government or the citizens? And what did citizens do with this ammo than sit around and act paranoid in case of invasion? Now back to your latest pearl of wisdom: > [@](#): > > \*\*I’m all for money and aid and have given plenty but as of 9-11 every American suddenly became a warrior, like it or not. \*\* Would arming everyone and designating everyone warriors help at all? We don’t know where the enemy is, we’re looking into it. The events of WTC and the Pentagon will be avenged, but we can’t gear up for battle and then stand around waiting for an enemy. So now, we do what we can - help those who need it in our country, _then_ punish the guilty _when we find them_. I don’t understand the course of action you would have us take? You want to rush into Afganistan like Rambo? And do what once you’re there, exactly? As of right now, the Taliban is not our enemy, the terrorists are. But to get back to what you said: How do you figure we’re all warriors? I’m not, I’ve been out of the military for 5 years now. I’m a computer tech, not a warrior. Please explain the logic that lead you to this conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/23 "2001-09-22T04:37:10Z")
Poor old Willy. Sad, sad, sad. You could almost see the specter of death looming over his shoulder, until that smile right at the end. He’s still got it. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/24 "2001-09-22T08:35:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by newzucanuze \* > \*\*One can only stir shit after it has shitted, OK! \*\* Sock puppet, please do not respond to him further. I have banned him. Lynn ---
**Author:** ![reprise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@reprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reprise)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/25 "2001-09-22T09:16:07Z")
You know what, I don’t even like Willy Nelson, but in the absence of someone singing a rousing version of The Star Spangled Banner (which I understand is a little bit touchy for US people because of the “rocket’s red flares” and “bombs bursting in air” lines) it was what us people in other countries needed to hear. I love the fact that it was off-tempo, because it was so sincere. Somehow, Willy (did I mention that I don’t like Willy Nelson) managed to claim that song today not just for America, but for the world. And you bet I’ll be in the record stores come Monday looking for that version on CD. I’d still love to hear the SSB, and I hope that very soon America will reclaim that song as a source of pride and inspiration - and when that happens, I’ll buy the CD of that too (as long as you don’t let Celine sing it…). Yep - Willy can’t even sing that well anymore, but for me as an outsider, he managed to totally encapsulate what the telethon was about (and I now totally forgive him for all the bad C&W he’s inflicted ont the world over the years). Willy, today you rocked. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/26 "2001-09-22T21:43:38Z")
I think you’ll see the SSB coming back soon. Julia Roberts helped that along by paraphrasing lines from it when she said that after the firemen looked up from the rubble and destruction - our flag was still there. I’m no fan of Hollywood in general, but last night they did themselves proud. And bravo to Julia Roberts, Rosie O’Donnell, and Jim Carrey. Between them they have donated 4 million dollars of their own money to the cause. A lot of unexpected character is being shown these days, and it sure makes me grateful to see it. I mean, I KNEW that Tom Hanks and Clint Eastwood would be there, because they have always worn their hearts on their sleeves and have always been active in helping people in need. But a lot of those people surprised me. It’s made me realize that maybe I’ve grown a little too cynical as I get older. Hopefully, one of the good things to come out of the destruction is that we will all be a little more careful in judging people based on trite observations. ---
**Author:** ![warmgun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecccb3/32.png) [@warmgun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/warmgun)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/27 "2001-09-22T23:40:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sultan Kinkari \* > \*\*I thought it was nice to see all those stars together in one place. > > The whole show was kind of [shitty](http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/audio.pl?shit0003.wav=shitty) but it was for a good cause. Awww [shit.](http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/audio.pl?shit0001.wav=shit) \*\* Did anyone else notice this? This almost seems like a put-on. He pronounces ‘shitty’ normally, then (appropriately) in this Willy Nelson thread, he says, “shee-yut”. That shit…er, I mean shee-yut is too funny. Anyway, I liked Willy’s performance, And, yeah, I first thought hey, that’s a dern foreigner singing ‘A the B’, but, really, that’s the point isn’t? That America is ‘Beautiful’. You don’t have to _be_ American to realize or say it. And, **reprise** , bless you, son, for seeing the beauty in Willy. He has given so much and so much beauty to the world and taken so much shit…oops, shee-yut. I’ve always liked him and I pat you on the back for being so open minded. ---
**Author:** ![Doctordec](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Doctordec](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctordec)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/28 "2001-09-23T03:13:21Z")
In response to your question… “But to get back to what you said: How do you figure we’re all warriors? I’m not, I’ve been out of the military for 5 years now. I’m a computer tech, not a warrior. Please explain the logic that lead you to this conclusion.” My point is, there are hundreds of these guys that the FBI is looking for right now in the United States without much success. What I meant was, every citizen really ought to be be vigilant and aware. Nothing more. The Americans that rushed the cockpit over Pennsylvania were warriors and heroes in my book. If you read my original post, I said nothing about invading anyone. C’mon, if you saw an abandoned backpack outside an NFL game tomorrow, would you call me a bloodthirsty patriot if I said something to security ? More like “vigilant warriors for the cause of freedom”, NOT Rambo II. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/29 "2001-09-23T03:13:28Z")
Umm… excuse me… But the song featured in Celine Dion’s turn was “God Bless America.” America the Beautiful was the closing, led by Willy Nelson, fronting the cast. This later song works quite well even if song by a non-native – as the sentiment can be interpreted as one of admiration by an outside observer. “God Bless America” has that line at the end about “my home, sweet home” which is what may be a bit confusing to some (though in Celine’s case it could work strictly, if you mean the whole continent). And for the record, I quite liked seeing old Willy closing the show … but hey, who _mugged_ Clint Eastwood on the way in??? jrd [sub]and blessedly, no sign of Lee Greenwood anywhere near[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![JonScribe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3be4f8/32.png) [@JonScribe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JonScribe)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/30 "2001-09-24T00:15:37Z")
My only problem with Willie Nelson performing the finale for the telethon was that it struck a little too closely to his scenes in “Wag the Dog.” Didn’t the producers of the telethon think to themselves, “Hmm. Maybe we should avoid any connections to a movie that describes a contrived international emergency”? Can’t really say I have any complaints about Celine Dion. I just kinda shrugged my shoulders. ---
**Author:** ![rushtopher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e47774/32.png) [@rushtopher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rushtopher)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/31 "2001-09-24T15:14:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JRDelirious \* > \*\*Umm… excuse me… > > But the song featured in Celine Dion’s turn was “God Bless America.” America the Beautiful was the closing, led by Willy Nelson, fronting the cast. This later song works quite well even if song by a non-native – as the sentiment can be interpreted as one of admiration by an outside observer. “God Bless America” has that line at the end about “my home, sweet home” which is what may be a bit confusing to some (though in Celine’s case it could work strictly, if you mean the whole continent). > \*\* Geez, thank you, I’ve been going all the way down the thread waiting for somebody else to recognize the right song to associate with CD. ---
**Author:** ![Delta-9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@Delta-9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delta-9)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/32 "2001-09-24T15:15:47Z")
Say what you will about Celine Dion. Heck, I’m pretty sick of her, too. But love her or hate her, she demonstrated (to me, at least) that she does have an _incredible_ voice. Whatta nice set o’ pipes. Gives me the chills just thinking about it. I also thought that Clint Eastwood looked pretty bad. What was up with that? ---
**Author:** ![tavalla](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tavalla/32/89_2.png) [@tavalla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavalla)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/33 "2001-09-24T15:41:39Z")
The performers were asked to show up in casual clothes. I think Clint took that direction a little too seriously. Either that or he slept late. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/34 "2001-09-24T16:55:33Z")
I guess I’m going to burn in hell for this, but I have to say it: \*\* I hate “God Bless America” \*\* and I’m not too crazy about “America the Beautful” or the SSB, either. The sentiments are fine, but hearing the song sung just makes me nuts. I’m sorry, I’ll go hang my head in shame now and take my punishment of hearing it on a loop for the next 24 hours straight… ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/35 "2001-09-24T17:42:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Arden Ranger \* > \*\*Celine came out of retirement for this. > \*\* The hell she did. She hasn’t retired. This whole baby thing is part of her publicity campaign. In five years she’ll divorce the Svengali and publish a book about how he abused her. Sacre bleu. Just you wait and see. BUT - she’s got the pipes and the delivery to do a smash up “America the Beautiful,” and she delivered. And so what if she’s Canadian? It sort of adds to the atmosphere -“we’re here for you too, USA.” Jim Carrey’s Canadian too, and he was on stage. I think Willie should have done “This Land Is Your Land” though. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/36 "2001-09-24T17:58:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RickJay \* > \*\*The hell she did. She hasn’t retired. This whole baby thing is part of her publicity campaign. In five years she’ll divorce the Svengali and publish a book about how he abused her. Sacre bleu. Just you wait and see. > \*\* In five years I’ll be surprised if “Svengali” is still alive. Last I recall hearing she was retiring to take care of her husband after he was diagnosed with cancer and for both of them to be with the baby. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/37 "2001-09-24T22:09:08Z")
> [@](#): > > I think Willie should have done “This Land Is Your Land” though. I was holding out for “Whiskey River”, myself. Dr. J ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2001, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149/38 "2001-09-24T22:27:27Z")
We’re supposed to be impressed that Celine Dion came out of retirement to send 4 mins singing one song? Fuck that shit. And goddamnit, I really wanted to hear the SSB. Yes, the lines may be emotional, but so the fuck what? Because after the “rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air” the flag _was_ still there. That song packs more an emotional wallop than the other two put together, no matter _who_ is singing it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-it-off-with-celine-dion-and-willie-nelson/83149.md?page=1)