Star Spangled Banner–Super Bowl Style, Who Does It Best?

By • Feb 2nd, 2009 • Category: Tell It Like It Tis Thursday • Email This Post Email This Post • Print This Post Print This Post

COME VOTE!

They all did it…Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye, Beyonce, and Jennifer Hudson, sang the Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl.  And folks were talking about how Jennifer sang it…hmmm yeah she did…but was she the best?  Many have pointed out that she lip sync…but her gestures and inflections were real…I think…lol.  Actually, I believe all of them lip sync the song for Super Bowl events…I don’t think any of them sang it live.  But, I don’t know for sure.  Do you?

But, can we talk about Jennifer for a moment?  Now, how are you going to turn down an opportunity to sing at the Inauguration of the first black President of the United States (Barack Obama).  Come on the Super Bowl comes every year…but Inauguration only happens every four years and how many black Presidents are we going to have in our lifetime.  (If we have more than one, I will be surprised…but I’m keeping hope alive…got too.)  Now, supposedly Obama’s first choice was hometown girl, Hudson.  But, she declined and Beyonce’s folks were all over him to choose her.  I understand that Jennifer has been through a lot in the last few months…but given that she lip sync for the Super Bowl…hmm I’m still not sure I understand why she turned down the Prez.  Know what I mean…hehe.  Come on she turned down Barack…lol. Couldn’t she do both?  I’m just saying; I understand the emotional pressure she has been under but selfishly, I would have loved if she could have done both events.

But, on a serious note, I believe the Super Bowl is a paying gig whereas the Inauguration is not.  And, a lot more folks watch the Super Bowl.  This year over 90million watched the Super Bowl; it was the second most watched bowl game.  Second only to last year’s event.  You’ve ARRIVED when you perform at the Super Bowl…but can’t the same be said about the Inauguration?  Seriously, how many folks, especially folks of color, get asked to perform for an Inauguration?  Hmmm can you lip sync for the Inaguration?  LOL.

Okay your turn–whose version of the Star Spangled Banner do you prefer?  For ease of reference, videos are posted below of each of their performances.  Leave your choice in the comments section.  


WHITNEY HOUSTON


MARVIN GAYE


BEYONCE


JENNIFER HUDSON

Bookmarks
SubscribeDiggdel.icio.usFacebookNewsVineStumbleUponTechnorati

Related Posts

Tagged as: , ,

is when we will share books, book covers, book trailers, podcasts and other worthy items for your assessment. We want you to tell us what you really think; tell-it-like-it-'tis! We’re looking for lively and stimulating discussions and feedback/input to share with respective authors. Are you interested in having your voice heard? If so, join us each week for Tell-It-Like-It-'Tis Thursdays! Looking forward to hearing what you are thinking!
Email this author | All posts by

21 Responses »

  1. GravatarPhyllis on February 2nd, 2009 at 9:46 pm:

    I missed the opening of the Super Bowl, so this is my first time seeing and hearing Jennifer’s rendition and I really like it! Go Jennifer!!!

    Also – I have no problem with them lip-synching over a pre-recorded song at an event like this.

  2. GravatarAPOOO on February 2nd, 2009 at 9:50 pm:

    Phyllis glad I could oblige.

  3. GravatarRozz on February 2nd, 2009 at 10:18 pm:

    This my first time hearing it as well. I’ve heard them all but Beyonce and I’ll say Jennifer sang it best.

  4. GravatarLashonda Silver on February 2nd, 2009 at 11:34 pm:

    I think I like good old Whitney. I remember when her version came out as a single.

    Lashonda Silver´s last blog post..I Know Enough to Get By

  5. GravatarJessica on February 2nd, 2009 at 11:35 pm:

    OK, Marvin Gaye and Jennifer Hudson sang the best! Their music was different, but so complimentary to their voices! JHud will go down in history as one of the greatest! Her rendition was powerful and heartfelt. And nothing more can be said about Marvin! We still miss him!

  6. GravatarMK & A Olsen clothing on February 3rd, 2009 at 8:45 am:

    well, i have to say that i love the voice of Beyonce and i think she did her best..not bad for jennifer h. she got an amazing performance..TC!

  7. GravatarUranie on February 3rd, 2009 at 9:47 am:

    Whitney wins hands down. I don’t think she lip sync either

  8. GravatarAPOOO on February 3rd, 2009 at 10:39 am:

    I prefer Whitney as well…but I give props to Jennifer and Marvin.

  9. GravatarShelia on February 3rd, 2009 at 2:50 pm:

    I’ll have to say Whitney tore the song up…second would be Jennifer…then Marvin…Beyonce. Jennifer can sang, not sing, but sang. She’s the first person since Whitney to do the song justice. I sure hate Whitney got involved in all that stuff…but maybe her time has passed.

    Reference Jennifer not singing at the Inauguration, her publicist said she wasn’t asked (but who knows…I would have loved to see her sing at the Inauguration…but since she couldn’t ReRe was good).

    Shelia´s last blog post..APOOO’s All About Love Virtual Tour

  10. GravatarSusan on February 3rd, 2009 at 3:53 pm:

    I understand that everyone lip-sync’s the anthem @ the Super Bowl because the outside acoustics are not condusive to a good song, so it’s pre-recorded. Yes Jennifer Hudson did a great job. But the all time BEST was Whitney Houston rendition in the 90′s she literaly had me crying (like my dog died). And when I hear it now it still makes me misty.
    I like you, would not have passed up a chance to sing for “my” President and the first lady. And unfortunately she is gonna go down in history as the one who turned down the 1st Black President’s offer to sing at his Inauguration.

  11. GravatarAPOOO on February 3rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm:

    And unfortunately she is gonna go down in history as the one who turned down the 1st Black President’s offer to sing at his Inauguration.

    Yep…she will…I wonder who her PR folks are.

  12. GravatarAPOOO on February 3rd, 2009 at 5:08 pm:

    Shelia, thanks for the 411 regarding Jennifer and the Inauguration…I thought I heard she was but her PR person should know…oh and I still love me some ReRe with her church had and all…and i’m glad she covered up for the event…hehe.

    Uranie…love your photo…YGG.

  13. GravatarRhonda McKnight on February 3rd, 2009 at 7:32 pm:

    Whitney tore it up ya’ll.

  14. GravatarRaven on February 3rd, 2009 at 7:49 pm:

    They all were really good. I have to give the edge to Jennifer. She was returning to the spotlight from a very tagice family incident. Her performance was strong. Whitney was at the height of her popularity and sounded wonderful as always. Marvin put such a cool spin to his that it is unforgetable. They still play his version on the radio. Beyonce proves that she has talent.

  15. GravatarAPOOO on February 3rd, 2009 at 8:34 pm:

    Raven…you should have been an attorney…hehe.

  16. Gravatarcoffee on February 4th, 2009 at 2:51 am:

    Hudson’s performance (lip-synched or not) was one of the best parts of the Super Bowl — second to the ads of course

    coffee´s last blog post..Coffee Shops Going Out of Business All Over Town

  17. GravatarDera on February 5th, 2009 at 1:10 am:

    I think Marvin Gaye knocked it out of the ball park.

    Dera´s last blog post..Cuban Concert Redux

  18. GravatarAPOOO on February 6th, 2009 at 6:07 pm:

    Marvin Gaye did sing it well.

  19. GravatarAPOOO on February 6th, 2009 at 6:11 pm:

    Coffee, I must admit this year’s Super Bowl game was great…I was actually into the game and not just the commercials. ;)

  20. GravatarDawn on February 8th, 2009 at 6:33 pm:

    I have to go with Whitney. I’ve said this over and over and I’m sticking by it after listening to the other three again.

  21. GravatarAPOOO on February 8th, 2009 at 9:57 pm:

    Dawn you know I’m feeling you…hehe.

Leave a Reply

CommentLuv badge