WaPo Humorist: Don't Blame Christina Aguilera, It's Francis Scott Key Who Botched the Anthem
In her aptly-titled ComPost blog yesterday, Washington Post humorist Alexandra Petri defended pop star Christina Aguilera's botched rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner before Super Bowl XLV.
"She didn't botch the national anthem. Francis Scott Key did," Petri explained, griping that:
The only original part of the song, the lyrics, are even worse.... Not only is this terrible, dated and irrevocably attached to an oddly specific incident that Francis Scott Key suffered through during the War of 1812 -- it is a question. When we sing this anthem, we are asking whoever is listening if our flag is still waving.
[...]
This is, how do I put it, ABSURD? TERRIBLE? EMBARRASSINGLY INCOMPETENT-SOUNDING? ALL OF THE ABOVE?
One would think a newspaper humorist would understand the concept of a rhetorical question, but apparently the notion is foreign to Petri, as well as perhaps to the paper's editors as Petri's February 7 post was dutifully reprinted on the op-ed page of the February 8 print edition.
- Ken Shepherd's blog
- Login to post comments
Comments
Spot-on, Ken
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:02pm.
...."aptly-titled ComPost blog".
Que'lle crap!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
I happen to like, no love that song.
Submitted by The Vet on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:35pm.
I heard it nearly every day for 20 years.
When the flag is raised and lowered: there are two important times in the day when the flag is to be raised and lowered. At 0800 (8 AM) is when the flag is raised, and at sunset the flag is lowered. This is called ‘colors.’ On military bases you hear a bugle call announcing first call to colors (this is 5 minutes before raising and lowering the colors). Then at 0800 you’ll hear a bugle announcing attention to colors and the National Anthem played. After the national anthem is played, a bugle sounds the carry on. At sunset it is the same with the exception of the national anthem.
And quite a few nights when AFRTS signed off the air. And a bunch of nights when television stations back in the old days played it when they signed off.
It is, and I have heard a bunch, the best national anthem evah. The words, the music, that high note. Not many national anthems can hold up against it.
And Francis Scott Key did not suffer as the column indicated. He was taken prisoner and watched the battle aboard a British ship during the night. He knew that if the colors were taken down, it would be a sign of surrender or the fort was overrun. We did not have streetlights back in those days and during a dark night filled with the smoke of cannon and rifles. His only view of the flag was from the light of rockets*.
When the British invaded Washington in 1814, Ross and Cockburn with their staff officers made their headquarters in Upper Marlboro, Md., at the residence of a planter, Dr. William Beanes, whom they subsequently seized as a prisoner. Upon hearing of his friend's capture, Key resolved to release him, and was aided by President Madison, who ordered that a vessel that had been used as a cartel should be placed at his service, and that John S. Skinner, agent for the exchange of prisoners, should accompany him. Gen. Ross finally consented to Dr. Beanes's release, but said that the party must be detained during the attack on Baltimore.
Key and Skinner were transferred to the frigate "Surprise," commanded by the admiral's son, Sir Thomas Cockburn, and soon afterward returned under guard of British sailors to their own vessel, whence they witnessed the engagement. Owing to their position the flag at Fort McHenry was distinctly seen through the night by the glare of the battle, but before dawn the firing ceased, and the prisoners anxiously watched to see which colors floated on the ramparts. Key's feelings when he found that the stars and stripes had not been hauled down found expression in "The Star-Spangled Banner," which gained for him a lasting reputation.
Sincerely,
A Veteran of a 1000 Psychic Wars
AKA Mr. American Flag
* Francis Scott Key coined the phrase the "rocket's red glare" after the British fired Congreve rockets against the United States in the War of 1812. Congreve had used a 16-foot guidestick to help stabilize his rocket. William Hale, another British inventor, invented the stickless rocket in 1846. The U.S. army used the Hale rocket more than 100 years ago in the war with Mexico. Rockets were also used to a limited extent in the Civil War.
I Agree!
Submitted by GeneralAl on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:40pm.
I'm sick of these liberal celebretards screwing up the most sacred song of our nation! I love this song and I get the right kind of "Thrill" when I hear it! If they can't sing it right, then shut up! I'll sing it for crying out loud! At least I'll do it with emotion, sincerity, and commitment!
"Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away"!
Vet, got your 6 covered on this one
Submitted by BuffNBone on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 11:15pm.
This is an expanded version of Vet's explanation above. Worth a look and your time, since Paul Harvey isn't around to give you the rest of the story.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDKfw8nysLA (new link)
Thanks, Vet!
Submitted by Tugboat Phil on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 8:14pm.
When I hear our anthem played by a brass band, it makes me tear up every time.
Thanks, Vet, for your service
Submitted by ex buff e-dub on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 12:42am.
From one vet to another, nothing used to irk me more than to be outside when retreat sounded and see people (servicemembers!) scurry to run indoors, or, remain indoors, until after the last note sounded of this beautiful song. Nothing gave me greater satisfaction than to stand and salute, and pay my respects to all those who had gone before me, and afforded me the privilege.
The author of that article is a frapping moron!.
She's right
Submitted by libfail on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:25pm.
Nevermind the fact that this was written after the British had just burned down Washington D.C. Or that this was written because if Fort McHenry fell then the city of Baltimore an important port for the war effort would fall.
Nope not important at all that many consider this war the one that cemented the US as an independent nation that could act on the international stage. Yeah let's change the words of our national anthem to something more appropriate like Moulin Rouge right Alexandra Petri? Got damn it now I am all pissed off.
Oh hell yeah! Let's change it to honor Moochelle
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:30pm.
Fat Bottomed Girls:
Are you gonna take me home tonightAh down beside that red firelight
Are you gonna let it all hang out
Fat bottomed girls
You make the rockin' world go round
Hey
I was just a skinny lad
Never knew no good from bad
But I knew love before I left my nursery, huh
Left alone with big fat fanny
She was such a naughty nanny
Heap big woman you made a bad boy out of me
Hey hey!
I've been singing with my band
Across the wire across the land
I seen every blue eyed floozy on the way, hey
But their beauty and their style
Went kind of smooth after a while
Take me to them dirty ladies every time
C'mon
Oh wont you take me home tonight?
Oh down beside that red firelight
Oh and you give it all you got
Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round
Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round
Hey listen here
I've got mortgages and homes
I got stiffness in my bones
Ain't no beauty queens in this locality (I tell you)
Oh but I still get my pleasure
Still got my greatest treasure
Hey big woman you gonna make a big man of me
Now get this
Oh (I know) you gonna take me home tonight (please)
Oh down beside that red firelight
Oh you gonna let it all hang out
Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round
Yeah
Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round
Get on your bikes and ride
Oooh yeah, alright, them fat bottomed girls
Fat bottomed girls
Yeah yeah yeah alright, hey, c'mon
Fat bottomed girls
Yes yes
That should please the liberal idiots.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
You are just pure evil in a candy coated shell.
Submitted by The Vet on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:42pm.
I would recommend Whole lotta Rosie by AC/DC
Wanna tell you a story
'Bout a woman I know
Ah, come to lovin'
Ooh, she steals the show
She ain't exactly pretty
Ain't exactly small
Forty-two, thirty-nine, fifty-six
You could say she's got it all!
Of course, my evil coated with yummy shredded coconut and sugar.
Thank you Vet
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:44pm.
I try.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
If I may
Submitted by RESTLESS 1 on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 8:45pm.
Bubblebutt, bubblebutt, bubblebutt, bubblebutt, bubblebutt, bubblebutt, she's so fat!!! (phat?)
OK now ya all done it
Submitted by Boudin on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 9:06pm.
So there
OK, Veet, you had your fun here,
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 11:27pm.
now get back to pulverizing the cretin.
Last time I looked, the remains were still borderline identifiable.
Three intact teeth = dental records = not good.
May I add
Submitted by HockeyKid on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 10:11am.
the inimitable Jim Croce's "Roller Derby Queen":
Gonna tell you a story that you won't believe But I fell in love last Friday evenin' With a girl I saw on a barroom T.V. screen Well I was just gettin' ready to get my hat When she caught my eye and I put it back And I ordered myself a couple o' more shots and beers The night that {Refrain} I fell in love with a Roller Derby Queen Round and round, oh round and round The meanest hunk o' woman that anybody ever seen Down in the arena She was five foot six and two fifteen A bleached-blonde mama with a streak of mean She knew how to knuckle and she knew how to scuffle and fight And the roller derby program said That she was built like a 'frigerator with a head Her fans call her "Tuffy" but all her buddies called her "Spike" You know that {Refrain} Round and round, go round and round Round and round, go round and round Round and round Well I could not help it but to fall in love With this heavy-duty woman I been speakin' of Things looked kind of bad until the day she skated into my life Well she might be nasty, she might be fat But I never met a person who would tell her that She's my bleach-blonde bomber, my heavy handed Hackensack mama You know that {Refrain} Round and round, go round and round Round and round, go round and round Round and round"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Sir Mix-A-Lot
Submitted by Agnostic on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 6:06pm.
after reading the first few responses would it be fair to refer to the media as Sir-Spins-A-Lot
Francis Scott Key did NOT write the song
Submitted by CO2Maker on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:34pm.
He wrote the lyrics, a poem, to commemorate the bombardment of Ft. McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812. It was put to a well-known British drinking song named "To Anacreon in Heaven," popular on this side of the Atlantic at the time.
All those execrable high notes? Blame the thirsty Brits!
Love It Even More
Submitted by miss911ninja on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 9:50pm.
Now that you mention it, it DOES sound like a British drinking song! Which makes me love it even more!
Just More Disdain...
Submitted by Thunder Lizard on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:31pm.
...for the heritage of the nation. Folks like Petri don't know the history of the anthem. And they don't care as it is irelevant to their cocktail circle lifestyle. Her attempt at levity, if indeed it was, falls flat on its face. Perhaps she wold rather sing the Anthem of the Soviet Union or heed the call of prayer from a minaret? Just a littel humor there.
Liberals Have No Respect for History
Submitted by gruyere cheese on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:38pm.
Maybe Alexandra Petri would have love to hear a "HIP HOP" version of the Star Spangled Banner, or maybe a Lady Ga Ga version.
The people that fought for our indenpendence deserve more respect than that. I don't care if she is a so called "humorist", her comment was uncalled for.
By the way; what are the credentials required to become a newspaper "humorist"? Being a liberal comes to mind.
Seems to be pandemic
Submitted by troglodyt on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:46pm.
A German singer botched the German anthem before a soccer match some time ago.
lighten up on Christina
Submitted by michiganruth on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:50pm.
can I say a word for Christina Aguilera, who has sung the national anthem at big sporting events I think they said six times previously, with no problem? anybody can make a mistake! you might forget the words too if you were singing for millions of people. I've sung in public and it's really easy to botch a line like that.
she isn't some "libtard" screwing up the National Anthem because she hates America, she's a singer who messed up a lyric. big wah.
now...this "humorist" person at the WaPo...SHE is a libtard!
one wonders if she actually understands what that lyric is about. no, Alexandra, it's not someone pitifully asking "hey--can you peek outside and see if the flag's still there?" rather, it is We the People saying "you can bomb us, you can shoot us, and guess what, we are going to prevail and that flag is STILL GOING TO BE THERE, so suck it up."
→ I agree
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:59pm.
In 3rd Grade Catholic school I was given the opportunity to lead the Rosary at the microphone.
Even though I had recited the "Hail Mary" thousands of times already in my young life, I messed up on one of them.
That didn't make me a bad Catholic, or even a disrespectful one. I just goofed up.
This is no big story, and certainly nothing for Conservatives to be up in arms about.
It's not like she pulled a Roseanne Barr.
I blame the organizers. A
Submitted by Skragnon on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 11:15pm.
I blame the organizers.
A teleprompter for easy reference wouldn't have been out of line.
Aguilera, regardless, is a---
Submitted by matthewdean on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 7:54pm.
twit.
MD
She is a twit. Nevertheless,
Submitted by Newsbusterbrown on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 8:10pm.
She is a twit. Nevertheless, any of us could have botched the lyrics at the Super Bowl just like she did. Embarrasing, but not a treasonous act either.
“There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
"Thy Banners Make Tyranny Tremble"
Submitted by thestalkinghorse on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 8:08pm.
If we changed the national anthem to "Columbia the Gem of the Ocean", we might kill two birds with one stone.
1. It's a better song.
2. No liberal could stand to sing the patriotic lyrics.
I really don't think you can sing the song unless you believe that America is exceptional.
Penguins
Submitted by Bob K on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 8:09pm.
"In 3rd grade Catholic school......."
I just gotta ask......was this during the penguin era, or post-penguin era? And do you still have superior Catholic School penmanship? LOL
→ Yeah, Penguins
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 8:15pm.
Sister Tarcisius.
Great penmanship flows from my gnarled knuckles.
Cool---
Submitted by matthewdean on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 8:20pm.
"Gnarly Knuckles".
Great name for a rock band.
MD
Newsbusterbrown---
Submitted by matthewdean on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 8:18pm.
Ok, I retract the recommendation that Christina face a firing squad. :o)
Nonetheless, I love using either "nevertheless", or "nonetheless" in a post.
Thanks for the opportunity for a twofer !
MD
Alternatives
Submitted by easygoer on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 8:20pm.
Nothing against the "Star-Spangled Banner" but I think "America, The Beautiful" would be a better national anthem. My first choice, however, would be "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". Probably too martial for the liberals, though. Just my .02 cents
America, The Beautiful is
Submitted by Ken Shepherd on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 8:58pm.
America, The Beautiful is kinda problematic for a national anthem because the first verse would be sung, about how pretty America is, not the more stirring following stanzas such as:
I will say, though, that Ray Charles did an excellent job with it.
The last stanza of the
Submitted by Ken Shepherd on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 9:02pm.
The last stanza of the Star-Spangled Banner
Very difficult to sing but also very stirring poetry:
Thank you Ken
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 9:17pm.
For completing the story.
Do you want to know how "pop culture" challenged I am? I thought Christine Aguilera was Columbian or somesuch...hence I gave her a pass. Although, I still kind of have to give her a pass...it's not an easy song to sing, regardless, and I can easily understand how she muffed it.
It is, however, lovely to read the most excellent written words, and to contemplate.
Perhaps NB needs a sidebar....speeches of Ronald Reagan, and the words to our national songs.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Awesome Video
Submitted by Joe W. on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 12:11am.
Most have probably already seen this, but in case you have not, this WILL convince you that our Nation's Anthem IS sacred....and this guy NAILS it....here you go...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9_bP219ehQ
I like the Star Spangled Banner, but there are other songs I...
Submitted by Dave. on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 9:25pm.
...would rather have for our National Anthem.
God Bless America would be my first choice.
Back in the day when I could still hit the notes, I performed the National Anthem in front of (not as a part of) live audiences on more than a few occasions (not only here but several times in Germany and Austria as part of a tour I was involed in), and it is a very difficult piece to sing correctly.
This is due both to the lyrics as well as the tune itself, which strikes me as a bit plodding at times.
On several occasions, we did it all the way through, and as Ken mentions above, the last stanza is a real booger, and took hours of rehearsal time to nail down.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
First Choice
Submitted by miss911ninja on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 9:59pm.
"From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam..........my home sweet home."
That about sums it up, and it's a song anyone can sing,
I agree!
I got a sure fire way to help you with that last stanza Mr. Dave
Submitted by The Vet on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 10:21pm.
1. I give you one shot of 150 proof rum to relax the vocal cords.
2. I rub a little bit of Vicks Vaporub over the front of your throat right over the voice box.
3. I will have you do a little voice warmup exercises. BRRRRR & MMMMMM's to build up pressure in the throat and further stretch the vocal cords.
4. I then wil gently hold your throat with the thumb right over the voice box and then I will SLAP YOU UPSIDE THE HEAD AND TELL YOU TO MAN UP AND HIT THAT NOTE YOU LITTLE GIRLYMAN.
Hee Hee Hee. I kid the Dave. Don't kill me Mr. Dave. Oh dear, I think I better start running now.
Let's all sing the National Anthem together
Submitted by Rousse on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 10:43pm.
The National Anthem was never intended to be a solo. It's OUR National Anthem and it should always be sung by all of us. If we sing it together, then those who can reach the high notes will be held aloft and sustained by those who can sing the low notes. Imagine everyone in the stadium for the Super Bowl standing and singing in unison. Now that would have rocked the house and left an indelible image forever and ever, amen.
Maybe next year, when it's time for the Super Bowl, a performer of national repute will stand in front of everyone, invite them to stand, and then conduct the entire stadium full of people in singing the Star-Spangled Banner.
I wrote to Roger Goodell about this topic several years ago (no solo performers), but never received a response. Perhaps if others feel the same way I do, they will write him too. There will never be a better time to make our wishes known.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Submitted by mamabear on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 8:52am.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU8zyB3W0pU
In case you missed this story, her mic goes out and the whole crowd joins in to sing the end of the song with her. I cried when I heard this on NPR! All Things Considered had her on to let her sing the end, because she was sad she didn't get to hit her high note :)
Great video. Unfortunately,
Submitted by Smartypants on Thu, 02/10/2011 - 11:33am.
Great video. Unfortunately, I don't think her mic went out; I think she forgot the next line and just stopped. Still, she did a great job there. I can't believe someone laughed in the background when she obviously lost the next line, not very classy at all.
I don't think she forgot the line.
Submitted by troglodyt on Thu, 02/10/2011 - 12:50pm.
When the mic dies, you can still hear her singing, which btw shows what a powerful voice she has. For her age anyway.
Aguilera is a libertard
Submitted by p-squared on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 11:35pm.
Aguilera is a libertard, and I almost have to wonder if she didn't botch it on purpose. She is an experienced entertainer, so I reject any excuse of nerves.
No excuses for Aguilera*
Submitted by cajun2 on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 1:22am.
Although I admit that I have never heard of Ms Aguilera, she is reportedly a professional entertainer. You would think she could do as well as a 7 yr old.
Miss Cajun
Submitted by Denny Crane on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 3:22am.
I must say that you have been an excelent student!
We Are The 53%
Mr Crane*
Submitted by cajun2 on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 2:43pm.
A student can only excel with excellant tutelage and sometimes in spite of NB 2.0
Mr Denny Crane*
Submitted by cajun2 on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 2:17pm.
A student can only excel with excellant tutelage.
→ Good point
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 2:23pm.
And after last night's Deluxe Mexican Dinner, I have a lot of tutelage to share.
They call me The Cropduster.
CA
Submitted by Denny Crane on Fri, 02/11/2011 - 1:43am.
May I suggest going to this class next time.
We Are The 53%
This has been one of my
Submitted by stratman on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 5:26am.
This has been one of my favorite threads on NewsBusters. The blend of history, humor and humanity is truly special. Praise to The Vet for being the cream of the crop and at the top of his game. Thanks to Ken Shepherd for making it all possible and reminding me of the beauty of our treasured national songs.
One of the highpoints of Fridays' Mark Levin radio show is listening to Ray Charles sing America, The Beautiful. Concerning our National Anthem, few versions strike me in the way this does. Pure, clear, selfless, faithful, reverent singing. And they can do it while rockets are actually firing off (Anthem begins 1 minute mark).
I think Aguilera had a case of the yips and forgot the words. She knew it and played it off as well as she could. Even seasoned performers make mistakes. With millions of eyes on you, you don't want to screw up. It in no way struck me as something like the foul Roseanne Barr rendition, who should have undergone rendition to a black-ops safe house far, far away for questioning on that "performance".
The halftime show on the other hand... please, never put Fergie together with Slash on a song which for the first time ever made me miss Axl Rose. Better idea, skip Fergie and just let Slash play next time.
It is a hard song to sing - much less remember the words...
Submitted by acaiguana on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 7:47am.
So, if you are being paid as a professional the 'big' bucks - maybe you could do one ...
or the other.
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana notes from the Underground' (Soon to be at theaters near you)
And you should probably work
Submitted by motherbelt on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 8:07am.
And you should probably work on singing it straight, instead of trying to to "embellish" it with your own personal "stylings."
Military brat
Submitted by clarityrising on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 8:35am.
Come on, give her a break, she is a U.S. military brat afterall (not columbian #32), so I am sure she meant to give it her all. The problem is, as with most divas, instead of just singing the anthem with passion and beautiful voice, she felt the need to color all the damn notes. This creates a high risk factor for losing your place in the song because you lose the original melody.
Not to be dense, but isn't
Submitted by mamabear on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 8:55am.
Not to be dense, but isn't the blog you are complaining about satirical?
Is it?
Submitted by HockeyKid on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 10:37am.
I went back and re-read it, trying to hear it as satire. It just didn't connect that way to me. Maybe I'm humor-impaired.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
A Suggestion for Super-Bowl Organizers…
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Wed, 02/09/2011 - 4:04pm.
Next year (and thereafter) let a celebrity sing some patriotic tunes prior to the playing of the National Anthem… But when it comes time for the Anthem, have a military band and glee club sing it. It seems it might be a good way to honor the country and the men and women who serve us in uniform.