thank god football isn't our national pastime -

else this performance by christina aguilera would have been wholly disgraceful.

 and it's not just that she didn't know the words to our national anthem - in trying to put her own spin on the song, she came up with something that wasn't quite right - no meter, no passion, no awe, no joy. 

compare ca's version from today, to whitney's version from 1991:

admittedly wh's voice isn't, today, what it used to be. however, she did a beautiful job and i believed then - as i do now - that she loves this country with her whole heart and soul.

at what point does the star who's singing become more important than the song he or she is singing? 

Comments

[Jess]

Love this! I was thinking about this last night. The LAST time I heard this song done PERFECTLY was at Super Bowl XXV in Tampa Bay!

I was listening to Aguilera's rendition and found myself holding my breath waiting for her butcher it and yep, she didn't disappoint me.

[Z]

I guess Whitney loves this country...but voted for Obama :-) She did do a good job, better than Aguilera, that's for sure...but I wish people would sing it a bit 'straighter'.... I can sing for a LOT of folks but singing at that venue with the whole WORLD watching would about put me in a loony bin with trepidation!! Aguilera should have used a TELEPROMPTER! I would have!

[Donald Sullivan]

I have never heard a solo singer sing the national anthem decently. Every sort of spin has been put on it: Jazz, classic, rock, C&W, R&B, whatever. It's beautiful if sung straight with no spin, and I think it should be sung by the people. Either that or just let the band play the music.

[rc helicopter reviews]

Impressive blog! -Arron