Quote:
Originally Posted by mosholu
Whitney's was the best. I do not understand why they do not make it clear to the artist who is given the honor of singing at the time of their selection what is expected is a straight rendition with no ad-libs or histrionics. In the sound check if the artist goes off plan chuck them and have the Whitney record or some military band play over the sound system.
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Actually, the artist is required to submit a recording of the intended rendition to the NFL in the week before the game, for the league's approval.
Furthermore, the Star Spangled Banner is a horrible melody (as BB Jake noted, it's an old English drinking song originally titled "To Anachrion in Heaven"), with an insane octave and a fifth range, which is challenging even for a trained vocalist. It really hasn't been the official National Anthem all that long--only since the 1930s. Many people favor replacing it with America the Beautiful. Myself included.
On top of all that, Fort McHenry aside, the Brits basically kicked our asses during the War of 1812. They captured Washington, DC, and burned the White House. The greatest American victory, the Battle of New Orleans, came after the war was officially over.