{"id":4409,"date":"2019-10-17T08:11:33","date_gmt":"2019-10-17T13:11:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/americanmusic\/?p=4409"},"modified":"2019-10-17T08:11:33","modified_gmt":"2019-10-17T13:11:33","slug":"let-freedom-ring-tracking-variations-in-notation-of-the-star-spangled-banner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/americanmusic\/2019\/10\/17\/let-freedom-ring-tracking-variations-in-notation-of-the-star-spangled-banner\/","title":{"rendered":"Let Freedom Ring: Tracking Variations in Notation of The Star Spangled Banner"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many of us are familiar with the national anthem of the United States of America: It\u2019s presence at countless sporting events and televised competitions offers a display of patriotism and a national musicality. Recently, the reaction to players in the NFL kneeling during the national anthem as a protest against police brutality in the country has sparked conversation and controversy. But long before players took a knee during the national anthem, there were other controversies surrounding the performance practice of a song meant to unify and represent an entire nation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout history, there have been widespread reactions in the American public backlashing against performances of the anthem deemed incorrect, inappropriate, or inconsistent with a sort of ideal performance. Recent examples include comedian Roseanne Barr\u2019s controversial performance<\/a> of the anthem at a Major League Baseball game in 1990<\/span>\u00a0which drew rebuttal from the public as well as the US President at the time. More recently, American pop singer Fergie performed an allegedly jazzed-up version of the anthem, but her unique rendition drew criticism<\/a> and laughter from players and fans, and went viral<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n