Christina Ag. and the Anthem... just one man's opinion

[David Mason]

One day these performers will get it...that it's about the song..not them...

Why?

[Larry Miller]

Why?

Karma man, Karma
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kputKjS2HLk

[Brint Hannay]

I normally know the words automatically. I had the sense that something didn't seem right with the lyrics at that point, but I actually wasn't sure at the time because the melody was so completely eliminated in favor of her offensively tasteless vocal excess that it was hard to remember what point in the song she was at.

Could this finally be the one that causes the people who book the singers for the anthem to recognize the error of their ways?
I won't count on it.

[Ron Page]

I agree that the lyrical mistep if forgivable. She has apparently sung the Anthem lyrics correctly a number of times in recent history. So cut her some slack there.

I recall saying to some of my guests yesterday that I wish they'd get someone who could read sheet music and would know how many (few) notes are really there. I guess we're just old fashion, fellas.

Oh, and say what you will about The National Anthem, but at least the halftime show sucked.

[Herb Steiner]

I feel that this song needs a performer who has somewhat of a classically trained voice, people who are right on with intonation, correct vibrato, sustain, breathing, et al. There are plenty of those type of folks in musical theatre, opera, all over show business.

Many of the offending singers could actually do a great job if they'd only get out of their own self-centered world and refrain from the "hey look at me" bulls^%t.

But those folks are not near the celebrity status as Christina, so we'll go with the pop star who gets more media coverage for her hair, makeup, and her marital life with than her musical skills.

In retrospect I really can't totally fault Christina... she's only being who Christina Aguilera is, what her singing style dictates she do. The folks who should know better are the producers of the pre-game and half-time musical segments. They're the ones making the decisions and directing the action, and most importantly counting the number of viewers for that mini-segment of the humongous marketing extravaganza known as the Super Bowl.

There's 21st century America for you. Oh well... remember what Roseanne Barr did on her Anthem outing? And the Republic survived.

[Tim Heidner]

I hated it too, but I wasn't surprised by it. What did you guys expect from Christina Aguilera, a subdued performance?

[Johnny Thomasson]

I'm not watching, but friends on Facebook are saying it was pretty rough. This is my favourite. Performed before they became the baddies.

click here

Arch.

Notwithstanding any of that other stuff, I have to say the chix knocked that one out of the park. As far as Christina's rendition yesterday, I concur with many of the other sentiments that have been expressed here. C'mon, even if you MUST butcher the melody line and try to make the song about yourself rather than what it's really about, AT LEAST GET THE DAMNED LYRICS RIGHT. I caught that blooper in real time. Even pop stars are supposed to be able to do that, right? And am I the only one that thought her last note was WAAY flat??? Not that the others were a lot better, but that tag note made me scrootch up my face. Again, aren't pop stars are supposed to be able to sing in tune? What an embarrassment.

Hated the Black Eyed Peas...

Not exactly my cup of tea either, but I have to say I liked their performance better than Keith Urban's. Now I wouldn't a'thought that.

[Mitch Drumm]

Again, aren't pop stars are supposed to be able to sing in tune?

Surely, in 2011, that must be only a rhetorical question.

"Pop stars" are just that--not to be confused with proficient singers any more than "porn stars" are to be confused with proficient actors.

I think you can safely rest assured that Aguilera wasn't hired for the job due to her singing ability. There's gobs of people in Fort Worth or Dallas who could have done a creditable job.

But they aren't "pop stars" and wouldn't induce rubes to remain glued to the TV and watch advertisements. Which is what Aguilera was hired to do--and apparently did do. She has more name recognition today than she did 24 hours ago.

[Brint Hannay]

The Black Eyed Peas were the weakest half-time act I can remember. Regardless of musical genre, there just didn't seem to be any talent there. If you take away the cast of thousands other than the supposed "act", the "stars" didn't do anything at all worthy of notice.

Then there was Slash's cameo: Wow, musical performers sometimes play instruments! What a concept!

[Michael Johnstone]

Jeez! Sorry I missed that. I figured the only super bowl party worth going to around here was the one over at Charlie Sheen's house but I was out flying RC airplanes all day instead. I did get home in time to catch the last half of the 4th quarter which is plenty enough "neckball" for me. It lets you know who won without the blather,drivel and dreck in between.

[Kevin Hatton]

I also found this disgrace of a performance deeply offensive. She's all about her. Totally destroyed the national anthem. Anti-American. The Black-Eyed Peas were aweful also. The worst haf time entertainment I've ever seen.

[Theresa Galbraith]

Over singing badly and not knowing the lyric equals embarrassment.

[Rick Lodholz]

WOW; pretty strong opinions. Interesting. I personally don't care for her or the half time performers-BUT at the end of the day it's just a song. I don't see where it impacts my life in any meaningful way.

She is after all human and as such for me to expect perfection is unrealistic in MY opinion....YMMV.

Regards

Rick

[Mike Neer]

WOW; pretty strong opinions. Interesting. I personally don't care for her or the half time performers-BUT at the end of the day it's just a song. I don't see where it impacts my life in any meaningful way.

She is after all human and as such for me to expect perfection is unrealistic in MY opinion....YMMV.

Regards

Rick

My mileage definitely does vary--it's not just a song.

[Joe Glavey]

They could have asked Martina to sing, she was in Dallas for the weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9lVdU0Go64

[Rick Lodholz]

Mike;

You are entitled to your opinion, begs the question though, have you ever made a mistake???

Regards

Rick

[Herb Steiner]

Mike;

You are entitled to your opinion, begs the question though, have you ever made a mistake???

Regards

Rick

Rick
Not to answer for Mike, but I'm sure we've ALL made mistakes. And making those mistakes had consequences for all of us; we were judged, graded, and criticized for those mistakes. Hopefully we learned from those mis-steps.

She's a public media star and as such opens herself up to criticism, both flattering and unflattering.

To you, her mistakes were less meaningful than those other posters here. Your perogative entirely. Tomorrow this whole non-issue will be forgotten as we move on to more important national issues, like where to place the Franklin pedal on a Day setup.

[Mitch Drumm]

Mike;

You are entitled to your opinion, begs the question though, have you ever made a mistake???

Regards

Rick

We can all forgive the forgetfulness on the lyrics--or even the pitch problems.

The rest of it wasn't a mistake. It was intentional. She sang the song the way she wanted to sing it. She didn't just have a bad day.

The people who hired her knew full well what to expect.

I don't know which is more appalling--her performing style on that song or the realization that those in charge of hiring someone to sing the National Anthem would have her on the list of candidates.

[Bill McCloskey]

To me, the most offensive thing she has done was do a duet with Herbie Hancock.

Maybe I'm in the minority but I don't think it is offensive to try and bring your own feelings to the National Anthem. I think Ray Charles version is one of the best I've heard, and he certainly makes it sound like Ray.

It isn't the overuse of vocalizations that was the problem. The problem is she is not a very good singer and wishes she was.

[Mike Neer]

Mike;

You are entitled to your opinion, begs the question though, have you ever made a mistake???

Regards

Rick

If my job was to go out and sing the SSB before the Super Bowl, then nothing in the world would stand between me and a perfect performance of it. I'm sorry, but you've got to be prepared for that tune, not rest on the laurels of whatever else you've done. Maybe she has sung it a hundred times in her life, but the one time it really counted she didn't focus--she was too busy zigzagging the melody--and she failed.

My reply to your post was in saying that it's not just another song. The song has very deep meaning for many citizens and is a great source of pride.

[Dave Harmonson]

As for the worst half time show IMO the Rolling Stones still hold that record.

[Owen Barnes]

Ditto...Ditto! Also, as a veteran, I was offended.

[Rick Lodholz]

Mike;

I do understand your point.


Owen;

FWIW-I too am a veteran and my youngest daughter is currently at Fort Jackson for basics then off to medic and airborne training.

Have a good day gentlemen.

Rick

[Ray Minich]

The song has very deep meaning for many citizens and is a great source of pride.

Youbetcha!

After attending a Silver Star Award Ceremony at Fort Bragg, my life was forever changed.

[Wally Taylor]

I would have preferred to hear The Catus Cuties perform our National Anthem. They do it with dignity, grace and real honest to goodness talent.