INAUGURATION

The problem I have with Beyonce Knowles singing the National Anthem at President Obama's inauguration is this: her desire to look fabulous during her "performance" places her importance above everything else going on that day.  She shouldn't be so worried about how she looks. It isn't a concert.

The National Anthem at a government-sanctioned event is not "performed." It is "led," so the masses in attendance can sing along. But Beyonce made up her own notes--which means she thought her interpretation of the song is better than how it is written. And maybe she likes it that way; that's her right. But she made it difficult for anyone to sing along.  Her singing is not more important, in that situation, than anyone else in the crowd.

My issue isn't that she recorded it.  It's hard to hear the band when you're outside, at a podium, not looking at the conductor.  It's the fact that she recorded a version that had her own melody.  Some singers choose to improvise in the moment and run up and down chords; but she wasn't improvising. She recorded a different melody and played it, and pretended to sing it. It's so rude.

The singer doesn't have any more right to change the notes than does anyone else in the band. Imagine if Beyonce was singing, and all the trumpet players decided they were bored and started playing whatever they wanted. The song would stop.  But no, Beyonce is more important, because she is famous.

I'm so tired of the media portraying singers like Beyonce or Kelly Clarkson as if they are of the same importance as the President of the United States. Official government events like the swearing-in of the president is not the moment for Beyonce or Kelly to steal the spotlight and have a fabulous moment.

I don't care if people interpret songs--go ahead and record your own version and sell it on iTunes, whatever. Perform the interpreted version at your own concert, where people bought tickets to come see you.  But Hollywood is not more important than our own government, despite their inflated pereptions of their own self-worth.

Whitney Houston sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl--which is a football game, not an official government event--and except for one little run at the end, she sang it as written. It was fantastic, and it was recorded, but to quote Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, "What difference does it make?"

<iframe width="500" height="290" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tmrQINYTSd4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Comments

[Erika Anne Hope]

I personally think they should set up some kind of contest selecting kids from different high schools across the country to sing, singers from the school choir or glee club. Perhaps kids that need exposure so they can win a scholarship to go to college or a job that will help them pay for continued education. Why does our government have these famous people at these events? Wouldn't it be better to support the arts and select some kids, even the band could be kids, that would be the right thing to do in my opinion.

[Cara]

Agreed! I am already bombarded with pop culture every time I turn on the TV or radio, I don't need to see it within White House. What angers me even more is that Jay-Z, Beyonce's husband, success and fortune was founded from crack money he made from being a drug dealer. Now all of a sudden he's representing the PRESIDENT? The same people that worship his lifestyle are the same people he has probably forced into drug addiction and poverty. IT DON'T MAKE NO DAMN SENSE!!!

[Chrissy (Monty's mom)]

After seeing Beyonce walk out to sing, I was simply reminded of the great words of our beloved Sweet Brown, "Ain't nobody got time for dat!" and turned it off.

[Mike b.]

mmmmmm.......what about Aretha's hat the last time, wasn't that more important than anything else going on at the time? As for me I am just so over Beyonce period. And now we have superbowl coming up. Ugaahhh!!!
And I never really considered the national anthem a sing along song fest.

[Mark Roberts]

Hi Dan,

I am thinking of coming to South Beach in March. I am not working so I would prefer a "budget friendly" hotel. Can you please let me know of a few places?

Much appreciated.

PS - Love your blog!