"What did the tune ever do to him?" A question from a karaoke host to me when someone was murdering a classic song. This has been my sentiment for some time now at the treatment of our National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner" penned by Francis Scott Key. Just as there is a reason for the lyrics to the song, there is a reason for the TUNE!
The song has been assaulted by the likes of everyone from Whitney Houston, niece of Elvis' back ground singer, Thelma Houston to Rosanne Barr, or whatever her last name is now.
The latest was at the so called "Super" Bowl on Sunday and I've been subjected to a replay of that event in several newcasts ever since.
Listen, it's an anthem...a traditional piece of what we are as a nation. You, of course, are quite free to sing it and yodel like Hank Williams probably would have or put the ghetto touch to it all you want, but I personally am tired of something being interpreted that needs no interpretation.
There are plenty of other patriotic songs in other genres from Springsteen's "Born in the Usa" to Mellencamp's "Ain't that America?" and "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood.
It's not surprising that this is happening when our very Constitution, which politicians take an oath to "preserve, protect and defend" is treated in any way BUT the promise of the pledge by lawmakers and Superme Court Judges.
Some things are sacred. Leave the National Anthem alone!
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