Just Sing The Anthem!

Allow me to rant.

In my opinion, I think national anthems are a sacred thing. They shouldn’t be tampered with.

Why do singers at sporting events constantly feel the need to do “their version” of the national anthem? Why is this a thing? Just sing the anthem! Don’t go changing the melody, or adding a few words at the end, or repeating an entire line for affect.

What are you doing?

It drives me nuts. Why are you giving us a cover version of the national anthem? Forget the Billboard Top 100, the national anthem is the most important song in the country.

Sing it properly. You’re not on American Idol. This isn’t The Voice. This isn’t YouTube.

There isn’t a panel of judges there to judge you on how you did. Though maybe there should be, to tell you how bad you did.

There isn’t a “golden ticket” you’re going to receive.

Randy Jackson isn’t going to tell you you’re “pitchy.”

Four music industry “giants” aren’t going to spin around in a chair.

The audience can’t give you a “thumbs down” rating.

When you’re done singing, you just walk off – give a wave to the crowd if you want, and then disappear into a private box.

I don’t know, maybe it’s just me.

I’m not a fan of singing anthems at a snails pace, hanging on every word just so you can get some watery eyes in the crowd. Maybe in a different setting, that would be acceptable. But at a sporting event? Come on.

Jamie Foxx destroyed the national anthem at the Pacquiao/Mayweather fight. I’m not even American and I was offended by it.

When these singers go through dress rehearsal, is no one of power in the building listening to them sing? Is there no one that can go up to the singer and say, “Hey, how about singing the anthem normally? Your rendition was terrible.”

Are egos so fragile that the most important song in your country isn’t important enough to put the “creative ego” to the side. If they’re trying to stand out by doing “their take” on the anthem, then someone is feeding them bad advice.

There are top ten lists of worst anthems ever. These top ten lists could be a top twenty-five, easily.

The last thought I want running through my head when the anthem is complete is, “Wow, that was terrible.” Don’t make me have negative thoughts about a national anthem!

Make it stop. Someone, please make it stop.

Just sing the national anthem. Please. Just sing it normally.