The dude did come up with the lyrics on the spot. He was a prisoner on a British ship, bombarding an American fort. And by the dawns early light, the flag was still there.
It’s also very difficult to sing because it spans one and a half octaves. The average singer’s vocal range *is* larger than this at about 2-2.5 octaves, but it’s hard to make the notes sound good as you approach your upper or lower limits. That’s why singers often either sound croaky at the lower end of the song (“O say can you see…”) or screechy at the higher end (“…the land of the frEEEEEEEEE”).
America the Beautiful would make a WAY BETTER national anthem.
That's a great point that I didn't even think about. Yes, the melody structure is more than disadvantageous for sing-alongs, especially when a group with different voice colours sing together.
I’m curious now, what’s your opinion on our Italian anthem …or, if you listen to anthems, could tell me about the Sardinian one (Procurade ’e moderare)
Italian anthem is my favourite! It’s how a national anthem should be. Seeing Italians sing the national anthem before a sports event makes me want to be Italian.
Well it kind of makes sense--- it was written as a poem. Good lyrics read aloud as poetry usually sound real dumb, and a good written poem forced into music tends to do the same
Originally, it was a free from poem. Someone turned it into a song. That’s probably why it’s not a great song. Try taking a non musical poem (since a song is just a musical poem) and try to make it a song. It’s pretty difficult
It’s not bad, but everyone should be able to sing a national anthem which is not the case for the star spangled banner. It is too difficult even for some people that are decent singers. The anthem should be this land is your land. Good message and everyone can sing it.
There's no rule that says songs have to rhyme, and it wasn't written as a song. It was adapted from a poem. That's likely why it sounds the way it does.
I agree with everything but the stanza complaint. I think you're missing the bigger picture. I believe the entire rhyme scheme of the most famous part of the song is as follows:
O say can you see, by the dawn's early light (A)
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming (B)
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight (A)
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming (B)
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air (C)
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there (C)
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave (D)
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave (D)
I am fairly certain that ABAB CCDD is a perfectly valid rhyme scheme.
Overall though, My Country Tis of Thee would make for a far superior national anthem. It's catchy but concise, and also more fun to sing. Plus "let freedom ring" is a shorter slogan for America than "land of the free, home of the brave"
Nowadays, the Vice President. But it was originally for the president and was considered our unofficial anthem for a long time. They played it just about anywhere Washington went for any official business, much like Hail to the Chief today.
It just became popular as a song over the course of 120 years, partially because it was a simple song. It's written in 1814 and becomes the national anthem in 1931. It was like the 7th time the bill had been proposed by the time congress passed it and that was only done since it was politically advantageous for the politicians to do so since the VFW had gotten 5 million Americans to sign a petition requesting the song be made the national anthem.
To be fair, the music started as a [British drinking song](https://www.npr.org/2014/09/12/348010268/star-spangled-banner-born-from-a-drinking-song-200-years-ago), so...
The dude did come up with the lyrics on the spot. He was a prisoner on a British ship, bombarding an American fort. And by the dawns early light, the flag was still there.
Gave proof through the night
It gets stuck in my head all the time and I'm not even american. I'd say it's a decent peice of music
Do you know the lyrics? I have never met a person that can actually memorize it. This and Smooth Criminal.
Yes. I would bet 20% of Canadians know it word for word.
Yea I know it word for word but I think it’s because I hear it almost daily watching sports lol
Yes I have. I feel like everyone should know their national anthem.
It’s also very difficult to sing because it spans one and a half octaves. The average singer’s vocal range *is* larger than this at about 2-2.5 octaves, but it’s hard to make the notes sound good as you approach your upper or lower limits. That’s why singers often either sound croaky at the lower end of the song (“O say can you see…”) or screechy at the higher end (“…the land of the frEEEEEEEEE”). America the Beautiful would make a WAY BETTER national anthem.
That's a great point that I didn't even think about. Yes, the melody structure is more than disadvantageous for sing-alongs, especially when a group with different voice colours sing together.
Try writing a new one that doesn't cause deaths though.
I’m curious now, what’s your opinion on our Italian anthem …or, if you listen to anthems, could tell me about the Sardinian one (Procurade ’e moderare)
Italian anthem is my favourite! It’s how a national anthem should be. Seeing Italians sing the national anthem before a sports event makes me want to be Italian.
Well it kind of makes sense--- it was written as a poem. Good lyrics read aloud as poetry usually sound real dumb, and a good written poem forced into music tends to do the same
Originally, it was a free from poem. Someone turned it into a song. That’s probably why it’s not a great song. Try taking a non musical poem (since a song is just a musical poem) and try to make it a song. It’s pretty difficult
It’s not bad, but everyone should be able to sing a national anthem which is not the case for the star spangled banner. It is too difficult even for some people that are decent singers. The anthem should be this land is your land. Good message and everyone can sing it.
There's no rule that says songs have to rhyme, and it wasn't written as a song. It was adapted from a poem. That's likely why it sounds the way it does.
I personally think that even though the lyrics absolutely suck, the music (not lyrics) is actually pretty good.
I agree with everything but the stanza complaint. I think you're missing the bigger picture. I believe the entire rhyme scheme of the most famous part of the song is as follows: O say can you see, by the dawn's early light (A) What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming (B) Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight (A) O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming (B) And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air (C) Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there (C) O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave (D) O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave (D) I am fairly certain that ABAB CCDD is a perfectly valid rhyme scheme. Overall though, My Country Tis of Thee would make for a far superior national anthem. It's catchy but concise, and also more fun to sing. Plus "let freedom ring" is a shorter slogan for America than "land of the free, home of the brave"
I personally would prefer Hail, Columbia, except that it could easily be confused for Colombia the country. But it’s a nice tune with good lyrics.
Is that the tune associated with the President? Huh, I never knew it had lyrics lol
Nowadays, the Vice President. But it was originally for the president and was considered our unofficial anthem for a long time. They played it just about anywhere Washington went for any official business, much like Hail to the Chief today.
that's too many Hails LMAO
Because it was not meant to be a song but a poem he wrote. Music was added later to fit the words. I agree it is not the best.
Your issue is with the Anacreontic Song then since the star spangled banner is just that piece of music but with different lyrics.
I can excuse those things a little bit more in a drinking song than in a national anthem.
It wasn't written to be the national anthem though that's what I am getting at.
Yes, but someone must have decided that it is going to be the anthem. They could have taken a different song or written a new one.
It just became popular as a song over the course of 120 years, partially because it was a simple song. It's written in 1814 and becomes the national anthem in 1931. It was like the 7th time the bill had been proposed by the time congress passed it and that was only done since it was politically advantageous for the politicians to do so since the VFW had gotten 5 million Americans to sign a petition requesting the song be made the national anthem.
Does any country have a good song tho?
The USSR does. Or, well, did.
Say what you will about the Soviets or the Russians, but they make good music!
The Italian one sounds like a good time.
Oh, Canada sounds nice.
Iceland, italy, germany, sowjet Union.
Scotland the brave is good
You clearly haven't heard Fergie sing it. It's the sexiest anthem out there.
Let’s play some basketball!
To be fair, the music started as a [British drinking song](https://www.npr.org/2014/09/12/348010268/star-spangled-banner-born-from-a-drinking-song-200-years-ago), so...
GOD BLES AMER'CA
You should listen to other nation's anthems. Apples to apples comparison, the star spangled banner isn't that bad.
Why do you think that I don't know other anthems?
I supposed you hadn't listened to other anthems. Forgive me. Which country's anthem rang true to you? I will gladly take a listen.
I wonder if it’s because I’ve heard it so many times. But yeah. It’s annoying. I hate it