♫The Harmonious & the Controversial♫

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Star-Spangled Banner
music video from
AmericaTheBeautiful.com.

Among the annals of history are many, many performances of the Star-Spangled Banner, especially as a prelude to sporting events. Some raise goosebumps bringing on tears and emotion piercing the soul of every listener. There are even those with notable errors, changed or forgotten lyrics. Performers have ranged in age...youth to adult from all walks of life. With the Star-Spangled Banner being our National Anthem, its cadence and harmony are widely respected. So much so, controversy arises when performed with deceptive cadences and non-functional harmony.

Let us begin with a bit of history. As an American, knowing the history behind the Star-Spangled Banner is just as important as recognizing it as our National Anthem and knowing its lyrics...
 

 

The Harmonious

(Music starts at 3:23)

Then, of course, there is the one that always comes out on top ...

The Controversial

 

Today in Music History: October 7

1968 Jose Feliciano performed a controversial version of The Star-Spangled Banner before the fifth game of the World Series between the Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals. As a result of his slow, Bluesy delivery, many radio stations refused to play his songs, and his career suffered.

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And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...