Backstreet Boys Sing National Anthem for Game 1 – Video | Why?
Why?
Seriously, that is my only question: why? The Backstreet Boys. Really?
If you don’t what I am talking about, the Backstreet Boys sang the National Anthem last night for Game 1 of the World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies. Yes, those Backstreet Boys — Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, and Joe Buck.
Here, just hit play and watch the annoying video below:
Game 1 was a very good game. Cole Hamels was masterful, and is quickly earning a reputation as a Josh Beckett-style big game pitcher. And a record was set last night: the Phillies went an ARod-like 0-13 with runners in scoring position, yet still won the game. That is the most hitless at-bats with runners in scoring position for a team that won a World Series game. For the Rays, they had plenty of opportunities as well, but playoff hero BJ Upton grounded into consecutive rally-killing double plays. All in all, it was a great Game and portends good things for the future of this series. I see a Game 7, minimum of 6.
But getting back to the Buckstreet Boys (that was not a typo); I only decided to post about this because I was the morning radio show I was listening to it had some excellent commentary regarding the National Anthem. Too often, as was the case with the Backstreet Boys last night, artists use the National Anthem as a personal showcase to promote their own interests and careers. However, in doing so they miss the post: the singing of the National Anthem is to honor America, not your new album or vocal range.
There is no problem with an inspired rendition. Easily the greatest National Anthem I have ever heard is the famous pre-crack Whitney Houston version from the Super Bowl during Desert Storm. The video is below:
Seriously, if you don’t get goosebumps listening to her sing I have to question whether you are actually have blood pumping through your veins. It was some 17 years ago in 1991, I was around 10 at the time, and I can still remember it vividly without watching the video. That is what a National Anthem is supposed to be. Heartfelt, passionate, and inspired — where the artist’s talents complement the song, not the other way around.
With the Backstreet Turds you got the sense that every single note was strategically choreographed and they sounded almost mechanical to me. Plus, they changed the key in so many places. Umm…you’re the frieking backstreet boys. You made your names singing bubblegum pop and doing lame dance moves for teenage girls. What exactly gives you the impression that we want your interpretation of one of the most perfectly constructed songs ever written? Besides, if anyone is going to switch it up and put their own spin on it, leave it to a master. Like Marvin Gaye:
Maybe I’m being too harsh on the Backstreet Boys, I don’t know. But listening to them sing last night was like nails on a chalkboard. I just miss the “old days” when legitimate singers like Whitney Houston actually paid tribute to America with their versions, and literally inspired people. Do you remember how many people actually purchased the single of the Whitney Houston National Anthem? Her talent had a lot to do with it — she could sing the phone book and capture an audience — but I think more importantly it was the passion that was palpable as she sang.
I just didn’t get that feeling last night, or anything close to it. Maybe it’s because I think the Backstreet Boys suck, and maybe I was just personally biased against their version from the start. But it’s a trend I’m noticing: pop stars using the stage of the National Anthem to promote themselves, and not the glorious history of freedom and liberty that defines America.
Or maybe, as I near 30, I’m just getting old-fashioned. But for the National Anthem, and especially on the grandest of stages like the World Series, give me Whitney Houston or Marvin Gaye any time. Leave the Backstreet Boys for TRL and the minor leagues.
[tags]mlb, world series, backstreet boys, whitney houston, marvin gaye, national anthem[/tags]
Tags: backstreet boys, marvin gaye, MLB, national anthem, whitney houston, world series
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If you’re using Whitney Houston and Marvin Gaye as examples of a good anthem, it makes me question any of your points. A) both were much more drawn out than the BSB’s rendition, and B) both were more for themselves, than for the country. Whitney’s was a straight up Diva moment, I can’t stand listening to it because of that reason. And you don’t have a problem with Marvin Gaye’s rendition? That was Marvin Gaye, it didn’t even sound like the national anthem remotely, which is what you said was an issue with the boys’ rendition. At least the BSB kept the same tune. In comparison with those two, your points against the boys don’t really hold much validity. They added harmony to it, which is what they do best, and to tackle A’capella in a stadium with four people singing the NA (yeah, that’s hard to do) and one of their mics was out, please… they sounded amazing. If anything it made me more interested in the way it was sung, and the fact that they put that much detail and effort into creating such a beautiful rendition of it, shows to me that they really cared about what they were doing. At least you were honest and said you were already biased, because that clears up this entire, unwarranted complaint, including the bitter insults …”Backstreet Turds”? How old are you? I think it’s more disrespectful that people like you hate on someone who sings the national anthem at all, no matter who it is (unless it’s Rosanne Barr). If an artist can’t go out there and show off their talent by singing the N.A. (which you said was a bad thing) like Whitney or Marvin did, what’s the point for any artist? Oh, by the way, do your research. The Backstreet Boys’ last album came out a year ago, and they have nothing to promote as of right now, except for their talent.
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Clearly Sam, you grew up listening the Backstreet Boys, and you are biased, as that rendition was much more about the singer than who was singing it. Sure when FOX /MLB hire a singer/group they expect that persons personality to be brought to it, and these boys can sing, but if you step back and listen you have to realize they chopped up the song so much that it was unlistenable… Marvin Gaye’s version changed sports, it was groundbreaking and very Marvin Gaye, and by the end you were moved. The BSB version made you gawk and wonder what awful thing they were going to do next….
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I obviously could not agree more Lovemyteam.
And Sam, I’m sorry — but when your argument began to drift towards trying to say that anything by the Backstreet Boys could compare favorably to Marvin Gaye, I couldn’t really take the rest of it seriously. I appreciate the comment and your passion for the subject, but Marvin Gaye is a one-of-a-kind singer who transcended music. The Backstreet Boys are just one of many boy band studio creations who do, admittedly, have some talent, but are not even in the same musical stratosphere as Marvin or Whitney.
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@ Lovemyteam “about the singer than who was singing it” isn’t that the same thing? And if you really sat back and listened to it, you’d hear that they used the same tune, and the only time they “chopped it up” was when they added a second “say can you see”…how dare they. As a group they specialize in vocal harmony, and that’s what they did with the national anthem, some would say that it was “that persons personality being brought to it”.
Even if I did grow up on the Backstreet Boys, my points had nothing to do with being biased, it’s logic. The fact that JRod got down on the “Backstreet Turds” for changing it up a little and using it as a “personal showcase”, and then used Marvin Gaye and Whitney Houston as examples of how the N.A. should be done, when they both changed it up AND used it as a “personal showcase”, his argument doesn’t really make sense. Again, what’s the point of doing the national anthem for an artist (or the audience for that matter) if you can’t show off your talent while doing it? I NEVER said that the BSB were better than either of those artists, obviously, but I think JRod’s tirade was more biased opinion than actual, logical reasoning. As a student of music I defended the Backstreet Boys because I think they did a great job, and I don’t understand all the anger over their rendition, seriously. I have yet to talk to anyone who has given me a sound reason as to why it was “unlistenable”, other than the fact that they just didn’t like them to begin with.
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“maybe I was just personally biased against their version from the start.”
Gee. Ya Think? I’ve been a fan of almost 12 years since I’ve heard them sing, especially when they nailed a song called “Who do you love” a capella on Regis. I would not have gotten into being a BSB fan if it weren’t for the talent they have. I’m not one of those people who just likes someone for “being cute” or “looking pretty.” Sure, they’re classed with other boybands (many of which they’ve outlived) because of their original marketed audience, but they can pull off singing a capella because they have talent to do so. This is obviously not the first time I’ve seen them sing a capella, nor will it be the last. Give credit where it’s due. A good critic puts their bias aside. If you dislike the arrangement of it they chose to sing, then say it and leave it at that. You’re talking like they pulled a Carl Lewis and resorted to calling them derogatory names, which is in essence bad journalism.
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I’d be interested to see how you talk about Patti Labelle’s performance. lol
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@ Sam…I like the BSB but all their renditions of the NA are rubbish.. Accept it and move on..i assume your a girl so you think they walk on water but their just one of many boy bands who use platforms like this to showcase their talent…
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