On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional resolution designating “The Star Spangled Banner” as the nation anthem of the United States. We celebrate March 3rd as National Anthem Day and in honor of this national treasure, the following column is presented for your consideration, along with links to a couple of our favorite versions of the anthem.
By Joe Dahl —
What So Proudly We Hail, is the name of a book that is a very good collection of various writings, “about American identity, American character, and American citizenship…” included is an essay by Daniel Mark Epstein titled “The Star Spangled Banner.” He starts by saying it, “is a sublime anthem, democratic and spacious, holding at least one note for every American, but too many for any solitary singer. The tune is a test pattern, not only for the voice, but for the human spirit. The soul singer, the rock star, and the crooner---all are humbled by the anthem. We have heard world-famous tenors and sopranos choke upon the low notes, and cry out in pain at the high ones. We have seen the great Mahalia Jackson tremble.”
I did not know that. That it is difficult to sing. But, I am no part of a musician. I have found that the music was written by an Englishman, John Stafford Smith, apparently for a rowdy kind of boy’s club drinking song. As it turned out America fell in love with that tune. Epstein’s explanation gives me some empathy for the artists who perform the anthem poorly.
Years ago at a polo field in southern California, it was a big deal polo match, a forty goal game - which is played by eight of the world’s best players. The pregame national anthem was sung by Juice Newton married to the well-known polo player and instructor Tom Goodspeed.
Juice Newton sang The Star Spangled Banner so beautifully, at that time I thought it was the best I had ever heard that song sung. I also wondered if I was right. Now, some thirty years later, and having heard that song sung many, many times, I’m sure I was right. It was the best.
As I have heard that song over the years, every time, I think, or say to whom I am with, “Juice did it the best”.
The music itself tingles our souls, the words give us that special feeling that we each have as our own peculiar sense of our country. Of my country.
Those performers who think that they are composer-artists and can improve with their own rendition of what Francis Scott Key gifted to us, usually fall very short. We would all be better off if they kept it simple and did it the way he wrote it. Rather than listen to someone do our song, by putting their own “unique” style to it, I would prefer the Marine Band on a scratchy LP and an old phonograph.
Asking my memory to go back a long ways, I think I’m right again, and bless her heart if I am, Juice sang it, words and tune, just as Mr. Key and Mr. Smith wrote it. That’s part of why she made it so memorable.
Unfortunately, Juice Newton sang the National Anthem way before YouTube, but here are a couple renditions that are worthy of attention on this national day of rememberance:
Meatloaf sings the National Anthem: Meatloaf “Star Spangled Banner”
Carrie Underwood sings the National Anthem: Carrie Underwood “The Star Spangled Banner”
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