This inauguration is everything wrong with America (invasion, education, elect)

[saltine]

Did anyone kneel? Surely all the lefties knelt?

[Winterfall8324]

Originally Posted by Sonic_Spork

Uh huh. Interesting.

I guess that's only for a song, not something like being able to eat or have healthcare, huh? Then it's about personal achievement. Not making sure everybody can join in?

I'm not a republican.

However, many of the social/economic problems this country faces is due to a lack of national identity and pure self-interest.

Nationalizing healthcare will not fix that problem (though I don't support private insurers).

[madwella]

I went by the room where my dad was watching it earlier and I saw DONNY speaking..... I thought he said he wasnt gonna goto it??

Ah well......... At least he wasnt sore about anything.....

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by ndcairngorm

It has become the norm to use a lot of leeway in singing the national anthem, for a couple of decades now. Look at all the sports, etc. televised sung anthems by this or that "superstar."

My husband said after hearing the one this morning, "Well, she didn't murder it too much." We're anthem luddites and like to hear it in its written form but I actually think she put an interesting curve on it (except at the end).

I would think the inauguration of an American president deserves a little more respect than a bunch of court jesters brought together to entertain and amuse the American public. But maybe not, especially in this case.

[Winterfall8324]

Originally Posted by usayit

Plenty of singers / artists put their own impressions into their performance. Some of the most beautiful renditions of the Anthem I have heard are from country singers who certainly work in their country sound into it.

Originally Posted by hellopity

She is a performing artist and artists add their own flourishes to each performance. It is the artistic spirit and tradition, if you will.

And this is what's wrong with America.

The song should be sung with humility, and done in a way everyone can recite in kind, not as an outlet to demonstrate your superior vocal talents to bolster one's own career or public image.

[jcp123]

I’ve heard the anthem sung at sporting events for years by nobody artists who all put their own touch on it. I thought that was a normal thing to do?

[double6's]

they should have played the 'poker face' video on the big screen up behind her..that woulda worked..

[Ohiogirl81]

Where have you been for the last 40 years, maybe more? A singer putting his or her own stamp to an established song is nothing new.

And Lady G was pretty good.

[trobesmom]

Originally Posted by Winterfall8324

Yes well, you see, it's not about Gaga.

Whether you thought she sang well is besides the point. The anthem is not about her, it's about the country.

If the theme of this inauguration was unity, then the anthem is the only place to start.

It is a song people are meant to sing along with, not for one voice to show off its technical skills.

But as long as this country promotes personal achievement over national identity, there will be no unity.

So had she sung a plain vanilla national anthem, you all would be ready to unite now?

[Winterfall8324]

Originally Posted by jcp123

I’ve heard the anthem sung at sporting events for years by nobody artists who all put their own touch on it. I thought that was a normal thing to do?

Yes, as I was saying the normal is what is wrong.

Gaga only represents this troubled line of thinking.

The anthem is about humility and representing your country, not using it as an outlet to bolster one's career or public image by showing off superior vocal skills.