Star-Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl

I am an absolute music freak. I've studied it for the past 12 years, I appreciate most of it and consider myself to have a pretty open mind to it.

But that crap they pulled at the Superbowl with the Star-Spangled Banner. I was pissed...beyond pissed! This is right up there with me with the Rosanne Barr incident. Yes, I think it was that wrong!

First of all, that wasn't the Star-Spangled Banner. The Star-Spangled Banner was originally composed in 6/4. This means 6 beats per measure with a quarter note equalling 1 beat. It gives it a sort of waltz feel. In newer versions, it has been rearranged into 3/4. Basically, they just cut each measure in half.

The one they did at the Super Bowl? 4/4. The only other time that I'm aware that someone has sang the Star Spangled Banner in 4/4 was Whitney Houston in 1991. I didn't like that version either, but not nearly as bad as I hated the version from the other day!

The Star-Spangled Banner isn't up for creative interpretation. Holding notes that shouldn't be held, changing chords, and throwing in a bunch of runs, you take away from the song and bring attention to yourself. That is not the point of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Not to mention that combining two very ego-driven artists like Aaron Neville and Aretha Franklin (I'm unaware of the status of Dr. Hook's ego) is disrespecting the Anthem enough! They were each trying to outshine each other, not paying tribute.

I watched the looks on some of the football players faces. Was I the only one that thought they looked shocked at the performance? I didn't see anyone that was wow'd by it.

They lost my respect and I can guarantee that I will never proactively listen to them. I don't care who you are, what your status is or how big your ego is...there are just some things you don't alter, put your own personal spin on or try to interpret differently...and that's the Star-Spangled Banner!

TNT also has an opinion!