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Patriotism Epitomized
I didn’t watch the Super Bowl, but I’ve watched this video of Gladys Knight twice. Beautifully sung. Touching moment with our troops. Military jets soaring.
Every now and then, being reminded that we are all part of something bigger is soul-filling.
Thank you, Ms. Knight, for bringing dignity to our country for just a few moments.
Published in General
No, Susan, it was because they were indoors. If they would have been at the event, they would have been saluting even in that uniform.
Except, she didn’t make it easier to suit her abilities, she made it more difficult to show off.
No one here is complaining about her lack of vocal power or ability. In fact, the opposite. She did her own thing that regular folks couldn’t keep time with.
We’re not compelled to but US code does indeed say we should for the anthem, therefore it’s the proper etiquette. You think it shouldn’t? I think it should but I guess the case can be made it shouldn’t even for a patriotic person.
Sopranos putting off the move: may this inspire you to make the leap. Took a bye on a note that couldn’t have been much above C5, and had grown men sobbing uncontrollably by the end. Just think what you could still do as an alto.
I agree the halftime show was terrible.
Once we get a nuclear deal with North Korea, the NFL should outsource the show to them, fly everyone in and I bet they’d still save money and have a much better show.
I don’t think that there jets would work as well. Our jets are awesome.
The Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge themselves predate their formal adoption in 1931 and 1942 respectively. As such, establishment of the US Code was done to change those practices–a bit of social engineering dressed up as patriotism. Why were they changed? Most notably because the customary salute was with an outstretched arm, above the shoulders, palm facing down. Yes, what we now recognize as a heil. And so in 1942 the US code was implemented and the Pledge formally adopted for the purpose of altering the customs due to superficial similarities to Nazi propaganda. (There’s an argument to be made that they traded superficial similarities for innate ones.)
While the salute was customary for The Pledge and Flag Raising Ceremonies–the Anthem rose to prominence with a very different practice where, based on a familiar tune, it was sung and played by large gatherings of people–together. Not with displays of reverence while one soloist gives their jazzy rendition. From the first public performance of the Star Spangled Banner to the Flag Code: 128 years. As evidenced by several comments in this topic, the desire to sing along in patriotic unity is not gone. But it is diminished.
TL;DR: I think the US Flag Code, which treats all displays of the flag in a uniform manner, has diminished the distinctions that had otherwise very naturally grown to serve separate purposes in civic displays of patriotism.
Gladys came through with an awesome performance. Stunning, patriotic, classy, beautiful.
Oh good grief… She basically changed one note. “…can you see” is F#, A, D, and instead she did F#,E, D.
It wasn’t for matching her vocal abilities, it wasn’t for showing off. My guess is that it was a harmony part she liked.
Either way, I thought that tweak opened a delightful interpretation of the piece.
I thought it was good. She changed a note and tweaked with the pacing a bit, but…
It’s an old English drinking tune, not a hymn, I’m not too fussed about it.
I thought the girls who sang America, The Beautiful were great. Their harmonies were really nice.
The think that annoys me is that too many people don’t actually know the words to the anthem.
I thought she did a stunning job. Especially in contrast to some of the horrible versions that are easily found on YouTube from previous events–both football and baseball. It is a very difficult song to sing. It goes up and down and all around. It would be quite tricky to do as a solo for a big deal like the Superbowl. I liked her non-flashy, non-self-aggrandizing, yet personal version that evidenced her personal respect for the opportunity and the song.
The best version I’ve heard was from my 4th grade students in Maryland about 15 years ago. We went on a field trip to Fort McHenry in Baltimore. Some soldiers, dressed in period uniforms, brought out a 15 stars, 15 stripes version of Old Glory, and ran it up the pole there in the middle of the fort. It was the same place the flag flew that Francis Scott Key saw in the dawn’s early light. (I’m sure it was not the same flag pole.) But, then, we all stood there, and put our hands over our hearts, and sang the National Anthem. It was stirring! I’ll bet that none of those kids–now adults–ever sit or slouch or show disrespect when they attend a ball game.
Thank you, Susan.
And thank you, Gladys. You sing lovely. And your words about the song, and the unity that we must have, as Americans, are truly inspiring. God Bless you! And May God Always Bless and Love America!!
I get it. I know the history and evolution of our National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance so I can’t say you don’t have a point. With that said, I view the US Code and changes made as part of a natural growth reflecting what we as a country want. I WISH people would follow it but only really get annoyed with people around me if they are talking. I guess all I can really say is that I know what I as a soldier was being taught by men I respected so I carry it on. The only people I’m in a position to do that with is with myself and three out of my four children. So, we stand and place our hand on our heart regardless of where we are. We do also sing as best we can despite the rendition. There have been some renditions over the years I’ve thought have gone too far but I tend to be fine with most. Gladys’ was more than fine, in my opinion.
I beg to disagree about the hand over the heart. That is the tradition for the pledge of allegiance, not the national anthem.
[Update] I see I am late to the party on this comment.
I never stop being amazed at the fact that it was originally a drinking song. Not the fact that we appropriated a drinking song for our national anthem; heck, a well beloved Christmas hymn started out as a paeon to a prostitute. But how was anyone supposed to sing “To Anachreon in Heaven” after imbibing anything?!
VH,
I completely disagree. She had been attacked by the left for singing the National Anthem period. They accused her of not showing the proper disrespect for Whitey. She responded by telling the infant terribles that she had been in real civil rights marches and didn’t need lessons from spoiled children.
That fact that she invested her own style into the piece and gave her maximum performance only goes to her credit. She showed the worst her best and then some. I loved it.
Regards,
Jim
The original post is not about the political value of her appearance–or her comments prior to. It was about the performance itself. My comments were made in that context.
namlliT noD (View Comment):
Virtuous Heathen (View Comment):
This is exactly my point. I was responding to a comment which suggested it was different because she wasn’t capable of doing it in quite the traditional mode.
However, she changed the tempo–not only slowing it down but varying and extending the rests disproportionately. Those changes did make more difficult to follow. Yes, she made it her own. That’s the problem. It’s not hers. It’s not mine. Not yours. Not anyone’s. It’s ours.
It’s not a big deal if everyone can’t hit the notes. The standard for judging the quality should be an ability to inject one’s own talents while still leading in a manner that people can follow. She only did one of those things. I’m glad to see many here who feel the same. But a little disappointed so many think its unreasonable of us to say “Gee, I wish I could have sung along.”
Sigh.
VH,
Then first let’s just talk style. Gladys Knight is not an Operatic singer nor is she just a Modern singer of average style. Gladys Knight is a classic Soul singer. Her variations are classic Soul variations which I thought were pulled off tastefully and to maximum effect. It was a superb performance. Whether someone doesn’t enjoy a Soul styled performance is irrelevant to the quality of that performance.
However, I would add that it is still impossible to fully ignore the psychological pressure put on her unjustly by woke fools. In such a context she was positively breathtaking. I won’t forget her, both for her talent and for her guts.
Regards,
Jim
The only thing nearly as entertaining as staggering down the road with your snozzled friends is hearing them try to negotiate a song with an octave and a half range while snozzled.
When I was younger, I disliked hearing a familiar pop song that differed in any respect from the original. I have changed. I am no longer the pedant I once was when if came to favorite music. Now I enjoy hearing the familiar melody with creative variation. It keeps the favorite from seeming old and perhaps stale.
A professional musician can make every rendition seem fresh. That is what Gladys Knight did. The thematic variations were minor and respectful, even reverent. I thought it was wonderful.
Side note. In the late 60’s early 70’s, I heard and danced to live performances of Gladys Knight and the Pips at a local venue before they got famous. She is talented lady and I am pleased for her lifetime success.
Lucky you! She is a great artist and a terrific lady.
Whaaat? We are supposed to become more pedantful the older we get…not less.
Says who? ;-) I’ve wanted to be seen as flamboyant my whole life! Well, okay, I’m a work in progress . . .
Flamboyant, really?
The word I was going for was eccentric. Sort of.
Ahh, that makes more sense to me.
Wait a sec–what does that mean??
I’m sorry, I’m getting carried away . . . ;-)
Look if you aren’t flamyboyant, be a classy and sexy Irish lady. Just be a good version of what you are.