My answer to that is yes! Most of the pop culture of this country definitely does show disrespect to our National Anthem, our Flag, and our Nation. I am not an avid sports fan, but on those occasions when I do watch, I cannot help but feel embarrassed for those who try (unsuccessfully) to put a modern pop spin on something as noble, soul stirring, and high as the U.S. National Anthem. However, it happens not only at sports events, but at other venues as well. It seems as if a pop star most often must attempt to sing it. It often comes off as so much off key wailing.

The Star Spangled Banner is not easy to sing as a solo and should not be attempted by just anyone. Never, in my opinion, should the Anthem be sung as an a cappella solo- few can accomplish good results. Most pop stars do not have the range or style to carry it off. Those who do, destroy it by other means, such as the unnecessary changing of pitch, up and down, at the end of a phrase. And it takes tremendous vocal control and range to raise the song’s last note one octave higher than written, as many often attempt. While the words are important and stirring in and of themselves, the results of an a cappella solo rendering is often weak and unmoving and does little justice to so great a composition. However, a good a cappella choir can render a resounding performance of it.

The rendering of the Star Spangled Banner should be such as to put shivers up one’s spine, goose bumps in one’s flesh, and a lump in the throat; such as occurs when it is played at the Olympics or when rendered by the U. S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Bands. I have heard some great vocal renditions of it, but not often by pop singers and never, I believe, as an a cappella solo. The most stirring vocal arrangements of our National Anthem almost always include the use of marshal style instrumental backup. If the piece must be rendered without the benefit of a band, I personally would prefer it be done by a good a cappella choir or as a dramatic reading of it as a poem.

Of course, the hearer of the song must have a certain amount of pride in this country to realize the most emotion and feeling from the piece. Also, a basic knowledge of our country’s history and the struggle with England in the War of 1812, would help deepen one’s appreciation of the words.

It was written as a poem by Francis Scott Key in 1814 as he stood on the deck of a British warship as a prisoner, watching the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the Royal Navy. The poem was and is a tribute to our flag and our, then, infant and struggling nation.

The way The Anthem is most often rendered today is disrespectful and demeaning of it, our flag, and our country, as well as those who serve and die for them, now and in the past. Being born in 1936, I was taught, before grade school, to respect all things representing our great nation. I wish we could return to those teachings and attitudes today.

Having said all of that , I must hasten to say that, excepting most of the “pop” culture, I believe that by and large, the people of this country still respect and revere our Flag and our National Anthem. Long may they and the Nation stand!