Christina Aguilera: The NFL Knows How to Honor America, Hollywood Can’t Even Remember the Words
by John Nolte—–
Not being a fan, I don’t normally watch a lot of football or even Super Bowl games. But my wife has been a Packer fanatic her entire life, we were invited to a party, and as I watched the pre-game today I was simply blown away (and moved) by how passionately the NFL puts its love for America and our troops out there for the entire world to see.
Hey, maybe that’s why the Super Bowl embarrasses the Academy Awards in the ratings year after year?
But when it was Hollywood’s turn to turn on the patriotism, one of their biggest stars couldn’t even remember the words to her own National Anthem. And obviously she hadn’t rehearsed enough to pretend she did.
Normally, I’m pretty forgiving of this kind of flub, but the symbolism here is simply too rich to ignore.
Some fifteen years ago, I attended a heavyweight title fight in Nashville. George Jones sang the National Anthem and it was quite simply the most beautiful rendition I’ve ever heard. Simple and heartfelt, and though I’m no country music fan, I’ve never forgotten it.
What a contrast. No wonder the NFL and country music continue to thrive as DVD sales sink and pop music collapses.
Oh, and the Black Eyed Peas stunk the joint up, too.
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276 Comments
Why am I not suprised?
Does this put her next to Rosanne Barr in the Hall of Nationial Anthem shame?
Or is this worse?
The NFL should really try to do away with trying to be mainstream pop. Let the NBA continue associating themselves with the gangsta-rap hip hop genre…they like acting thug anyway.
When picking between ancient ROCK bands and current pop bands for the halftime show, I think after tonight we have established that choosing the ROCK bands are a much better choice. I would even say that going all COUNTRY next year would be an improvement. Some "pop country" sounds a whole lot like 80's hair band rock to me!
This is what happens when the performace is about the singer's ego and not the song. Even without the flub it was pretty ridiculous.
That made karaoke night at Bubba's bar-n-grill in West Virginia sound like opening night at La Scala with Renata Tebaldi.
Take a cue from Nascar. Get some performers singing halftime, the anthem and America the Beautiful who really love America. The fans would really appreciate it and it would make the halftime shows far less ridiculous. And the words to the song might even be known by heart prior to rehearsal, instead of flopping like this.
"Hollywood Can’t Even Remember the Words"
Christina Aguilera now represents an entire industry?
That's an interesting alternative to logic.
I noticed the flub immediately. She tried to sing the National Anthem like a pop song, drawing out words and shrieking at the top of her lungs. There is absolutely no excuse for this.
And hey, what's up with Google completely ignoring Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday? We get all kinds of fancy logos for Cezanne's 172nd birthday, and JFK's 50th inauguration anniversary, but NOTHING for the greatest President of the twentieth century.
FAIL: Christina Aguilera and Google.
Between a burnt out group of dopes, a former meth-addict turned cake-face, and a warbling dunce who flunked the anthem, the halftime spectacle is increasingly becoming a freak show.
I cringed, I felt defiled, and hell, I'm not even American.
I was so moved by that segment, I really wished I had taped it. It gave me a chance to explain the Declaration to my sons.
Also, I was truly moved by MN Vikings Madieu Williams, who was the 2010 recipient of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, he couldn't be there to accept the award because he was in Irag visiting American troops on a good will tour. They video linked him up, and he said that he was honored to receive the award but more honored to be visiting the troops (sorry forgot the name of the group he was visiting, but they did show them).
God Bless America and God Bless all those who serve!!
Christina, did someone forget to tell you this is not YOUR song or that it means a lot to a lot of people? This womans great voice would have done our anthem more justice had she not tried to over personalize it. instead of trying to fit 16 notes where there are usually 1 or 2 you could have concentrated on the lyrics instead. Those words mean a lot to me. Great game with an outstanding result though.
That was pathetic, Aguilera. Just pathetic. I don't know what was worse – flubbing the words to our glorious anthem or screaming it at the top of your lungs just to make people notice you.
I know this may sound like I'm farting in church, but do we really need a musical act during halftime? Give me replays of the first half, and maybe an NFL related awards presentation but for Gods sake no more musical acts. I can't think of any that were any good – including by acts that I like.
At least throw us fans a bone and publicly fire those responsible for both the Black Eyed Peas and Christina Aguilara
"But when it was Hollywood’s turn to turn on the patriotism, one of their biggest stars couldn’t even remember the words to her own National Anthem. "
Christina Aguilera is probably a "C" list actress and "C" list singer right now. This gal cannot sing. Even Kelly Clarkson can sing way better than her. "one of their biggest stars", who is John Nolte trying to kid?
It reminds me of that old joke: They played the national anthem before the game, and the anthem lost. Some folks can pull it off; some can't. Christina has always been one who lacks the interpretive brilliance to match her vocal gifts. As for halftime, I heard about two minutes of the Black Eyed Peas and hit the mute button. I assume it didn't get any better.
Amen to that! Why do these "artists" try to trick up the most beautiful song that screams love for our country? Quit! Whitney Houston did it and they all have to follow in her shoes, footsteps, etc.! Quit! Learn the words and honor the US of A for crying out loud!
In the words of the Great Bugs Bunny: "What a maroon."
Just sayin'…
OK, I am opening a major argument here. Is there any group or individual that could have sucked more than The Black Eyed Peas? It was the Suckagedon of entertainment.
It sucked so bad it didn't go down to negative ten, it went all the was to eleven.
And to be honest, Since it was held in Dallas this year, why didn't the organizer book a local country singer superstar to perform the National Anthem
This one sure was. I watched for about 20 seconds before flipping to the House & Garden channel to watch them redo a kitchen.
Logic? You're questioning logic from Mr. Nolte? Really? Who in H-land uses logic when they screw up? Who in H-land uses logic when they make their comments about conservatives or THE Constitution and how "old" it is? We're talking about the National Anthem and how so many "entertainers" don't really know IT. And, yep, I'll bunch them together with the entire lot…just like Mr. Nolte.
Just sayin'…
Amen, sister, amen.
God Bless Ronald Reagan.
Aguilara was awful, simply awful.
Cause there's no such thing in Southern Oklahoma (AKA Dallas) as a country singer. They all sing that country pop crap.
It makes me wonder…does the NFL even make these freak show artists audition beforehand?
Aguilara embarassed herself with that rendition. The National Anthem is not about the person singing or their particular rendition. It is about America. Aguilara forgot that.
You're defending Mr. Nolte's lack of logic by illogically claiming that because other people act illogically, so should Mr. Nolte.
So noted.
Ditto! To everything you said.
You're misinterpreting her rendition: she wasn't screaming to be noticed. Rather, she was screaming to cover up the flub.
I was catching up on laundry.
What was she thinking? This is the National Anthem, not some throwaway pop song you can fake your way through. What was all that yodelling (or whatever you call it that she was doing) for ?
I agree about Aguilera's flub being symbolic of much of the entertainment industry's attitude towards our country and its symbols. As far as the Black Eyed Peas are concerned – are they done yet? It's after midnight here on the east coast, and I'm still scared to switch back to Fox…
Sweetheart, I think you're giving her too much credit. I don't think she knew she'd flubbed.
OMFG! Srsly?
Is it that hard to sing The National Anthem anymore? A sheet of lyrics, some quality rehearsal time perhaps?
I get tired of seeing The Star Spangled Banner made a mess of…by little kids (pushed into it by their parents who should know better!) or grown adults who should know somehting about the damn song in the first place!
Is it too much anymore to ask people to take pride in the Anthem? Especually when your performance is being broadcast live to most of the civilized world? Really Christina, WTF were you thinking?
And yes, the halftime show has gotten out of hand. A "band" that plays no instruments and basically has to be Auto-tuned to "sing"? Really?
BTW, congratulations to the Packers. Make sure y'all "pass the hat" for your buddy Lovie Smith in Chicago. You're welcome.
Oh. Dear. God. Stop Christina. Please just stop. Oh, and please tomorrow apologize to America.
Two minutes? Dang, you've got a stronger stomach than me. I couldn't last more than a few seconds before switching channels.
I'm so tired of singers wounding our ears with their vocal gymnastics on what would otherwise be a beautiful song. I think that bothered me as much as her flubbing the lyrics.
No. What's noted is that you're a doofus who doesn't understand what Nolte said in the first place.
Bingo
I agree. I'd rather see some award-winning high school or college marching bands than a cheezy lip-synched pop number. At least the bands are really playing their instruments.
Just ignore him. With a name like "Talkradiosucks.com" the guy is obviously a troll. Probably college age too, thinking he's getting his licks in by tossing around the word "logic" and "illogical." To quote one of my favorite movies:
"You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means."
Yes, Virginia, there is acutally a connection to what he is saying. Let's give him the benifit of the doubt and say that Mr. "Talkradiosucks.com" is actually thinking that Mr Nolte hasn't made the point. I think that what he is saying here (and I don't say "think" because I doubt, just saying it because I am trying to help you) is that all entertainers and so-called entertainers may be fairly labeled as Hollywood, as many of the production companies, from movies, T.V. shows, to music-like to label themselves as being from Hollywood. it has a mystique about it.
Sad isn't it? It sounds like a lot of hair rock to me as well.
The only thing really missing is the guitar solo, if you ask me
I do not think it is possible to render a more insulting and pathetic version of the Anthem than that female's musical horror show.
Heard about this, but couldn't bring myself to watch it. I have too much respect for our country to give Aguilera a replay she doesn't deserve.
Curious. Does all of talk radio suck? Or do you have a problem with just a certain part of it; and chose a name that represents the entire industry?
For example. Air America sucked. It sucked so bad it went out of business. Is that what you mean by "talkradiosucks"? Because a more logical name would be airamerciasucked.com
Your welcome.
Glad I missed this.
I also left the room when the Black Eyed Peas came 'round. I only returned to marvel at how ready will.he.is looked to fight mutant cyborgs in the year 2098.
I just wish they would sing it like it is written. It seems everyone wants to put their on take on the National Anthem.
When I grew up, our National Anthem was highly respected. Even as children, we knew the lyrics as well as the proper notes. We knew whenever we heard it, whatever the event you were attending, you stood, put your right hand over your heart and sang along! It was unthinkable for any professional singer to change our anthem into a musical version to suite their needs or not even know the correct lyrics. That was considered very disrespectful. Every time I hear some "artist" perform a version other than the original 100% form, I get really ticked off! And I agree, the half-time shows have sucked for several years.
I watched the Reagan celebration today. It was very patriotic & fabulous! Made me proud.
So is a good bit of the stuff on your "Talk Radio Sucks" blog, Charles.
"Ronald Reagan was a former actor who devoted considerable time and effort to transforming himself into a leader and politician. Sarah Palin is a former leader and politician who has spent all of her time and effort transforming herself into an actor."
That too is an interesting alternative to logic.
Anyone can flub the lyrics, it's been done hundreds of times, so I'll cut her slack for that. But that unnecessary "show off" singing was intolerable.
Well said. That just reeked of "Look at me".
Well I tried to watch the clip just to watch which part she screwed up and couldn't get past the clip just based on the performance of the song she memorized.
But…I did laugh when Frank Drebin did the National Anthem.
I didn't get to watch the game. No local channels in my area. So I missed the half time show. I'll take your word for it that the Black Eyed Peas were bad. I've never been a fan of theirs anyway.
I will give Christina Aguilera a pass on mixing up the words. I've heard her do the anthem before. She DOES know the words. I think if she wasn't trying to do all the vocal acrobatics, she would never have made that mistake.
She should never have tried to "personalize" the song. There is no excuse for that.
I'm not even a fan of hers, but I just do not want to stress the wrong flaws in the performance. Everyone makes mistakes. I'll write the part off as nerves. She deserves that. She also earned her shame for the arrangement she tried to use though.
Rush. Now that would be a good halftime show. 'Course that's just me…
Who the hell picks these HORRIBLE halftime shows? Not to mention the National Anthem singer? I mean the little teenie bopper from Glee did a beautiful job with Oh Beautiful, then the make up splattered cow comes out and kills our great Anthem. It's not just FOX all the stations seem to make the same mistakes, somewhere there is a dweeb in a tie that needs to be shot! YEAH I SAID IT!!!!
George Strait is from Dallas and he definately can perform a very good National Anthem. Just a suggestion.
I was pretty bummed when 'The Who' did theirs. They sounded horrendous. The stages have been more entertaining than the acts being acted upon them.
I don't think you can really use this as a blanket 'Hollywood' bashing opportunity. (Aguilera isn't exactly a 'big' star anymore for starters) Yes, she screwed up, and she should rightly feel mortified, but sometimes singers flub. I also recall watching her sing it correctly on other occasions, and I've seen many singers mangle it with far worse vocal gymnastics than she used. I was more put off by Lea Michele's "America the Beautiful," which while perfectly well sung, was a shameless network promo for the craptastic episode of "Glee" that followed the game. ( and I used to like 'Glee' before they basically recycled the same plot every week) The REALLY sad thing is, I'd wager that half the viewing audience didn't even notice the wrong words.
But the Crap Eyed Peas really were awful.
I'm pissed that she flubbed the words. How can you POSSIBLY forget the words to the FREAKIN' NATIONAL ANTHEM!?
And the halftime show sucked. Fergie can't sing as good as she thinks she can and it showed. I will admit that I did like the dance choreography and the part with Usher but that was about it.
and from an Ex-Mouseketeer to boot! <sigh>
I missed the game because I had to work, but I was not surprised that yet another pop star would murder the National Anthem. If there is a next year's Super Bowl, get that guy from Chicago to do it.
I don't know- I don't watch it for the half time show, I watch it for the GAME!
Ok, maybe a little for the commercials at well. GO JOHN 3:16!
I'd rather watch a good marching band and see some baton twirling. These smoke and light shows are boring.
sarc/
Yah, Everybody know that the National Anthem starts with "Jose can you see" Gotta get that latino slant in there hyou know!
/ sarc
NOW you're talkin'. I'd actually watch that half-time show. Tonight, it was the local news instead.
Limbaugh or Lee? lol!!
I've seen Rush 5 times and am going to see them in Sunrise Florida on March 30; they are UNTOUCHABLE live. 3 guys doing it all.
Of course, in a half time environment they would only be able to play a part of one song, so…… ;-P
Ditto. Though in watching a replay on YouTube, it didn't come across as bad as it did live.
For my money, Tom Petty was the best half time show in recent years.
Too bad Frank Drebin wasn't available….
"Buncha bombs
in the air
Gave proof through the night
that we still
had a flag…"
Black-eyed Peas were HORRID; Off Key vocals and stiff presentation topped off with an artificial techno droning to compliment the crap. Aguilera is a vapid moron who warps all melodies beyond recognition with her overblown vocal gymnastics and zero lyrical depth. Add unprofessional to that list. Today's artists, in all facets of entertainment, are at best mediocre and at worst, soul crushingly untalented. Movies are all remakes, rewrites, 're-imaginings', and/or subliminal Leftard public service announcements. That's what socialism does guys! No one shines, no one rises to heights of excellence, no one thinks independently or outside the box. They're in the box, and they like it – they feel safe and warm there. The best super bowl half time performer in recent years was Prince; the man can belch a better song. That's what genius looks like folks – a Reagan Era Superstar.
Her performance wasn't that bad. I mean, at least she remained clothed.
I was fortunate to be watching on about a 45 minute delay on my DVR. Made it quite easy to completely skip the halftime garbage.
You're right. We'd get stuck with a "medley." What'd be the point?
There was a video on YouTube last month of a kid singing the Star Spangled Banner before a hockey game. She did a far better job than Christina Aguilera did, and when the audio cut out from her mike, the crowd finished the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsNxdOm-8gE
THAT is what it is all about.
Pretty much what I wanted to say too.
LOL – your post doesn't make any sense at all. If she is "C" list then what the hell was she doing at the Superbowl in the first place? I think she sucks, but my parents thought Hendrix sucked…..
Why don't they put the words up on the scoreboard, play the music and let the audience sing it? Quit making it a performance piece. I think it would mean more to people that way.
Come on guys, seriously?
She butchered the anthem, and she forgot the words, but that doesn't mean she doesn't love her country. And it's unfair to hollywood when you say that she represents the entire industry. Are you saying that there's not a single conservative in hollywood?
On a better note, here's how anthems should be played: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5tVypovhqA –> everything past 1:26 is how it should be every time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meLpuF9UMvk
There's a reason why for a number of years they had the celeb singer lip-synch the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. Sunday's performance was a good example (lip-synching the Black Eyed Peas during the halftime show would have also been a pretty smart move by the NFL and Fox — when the best singing in the Super Bowl is a bunch of people dressed up as cowboys in a Bud ad doing an Elton John tune, you've got problems with your celebrity performers).
I don't give a flying f*ck about anything Football or Sports related.
Rush would be a great half time show indeed. At least they can pull off their songs live unlike most rock bands today.
Another great moment in lefties flubbing the dialogue publicly occurred when Jimmah Carter introduced Hubert Humphrey at the 1980 Democrat Convention.
It was classic: "Hubert Horatio Hornblower…err, Hubert Hoover Humphrey…err, Hubert Horatio Humphrey," or something like that.
Another left/Hollywood "Hoobert Heever" moment.
"One of the earliest known bloopers is attributed to 1930s radio broadcaster Harry Von Zell, who accidentally referred to then-US President Herbert Hoover as "Hoobert Heever" during an introduction." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blooper
Lets be honest – Christina is famous for her ass wiggling, and the only reason straight men watch the Black Eyed Peas is to see Fergie in something tight, short, with lots of cleavage. If I needed to see someone like that sing the National Anthem or during the halftime show I would just give the cheerleaders a microphone and turn them loose.
Every high school band in the U.S. plays the Star Spangled Banner, and even these young musicians know that it is supposed to be played at a fairly brisk pace…why can't these pre-selected singers listen to the National Anthem a few times beforehand, and just try to emulate?
Seriously, Conservatives have to be outnumbered in Hollywood 20-1. And I'm not aware of any "big" stars that are Conservative. Adam Sandler is probably the most noteworthy.
I think if she was nude it would have taken away from her horrible singing.
I was watching and if you noticed at least behind her and I think in front of her at the 50 yard line. On one of the Upper deck displays up top were the words being put up. So I think she could actually see the words and I think I caught her using classic read tricks of hiding it by head movement.
So she mangled it with "artistic" license.
Best idea yet IMO
My experience earlier today.
Me "I'm not watching the Superbowl. Playing football and watching are two different things. One is fun, the other is nauseating"
Some dude who was standing behind me "SWEAR WORDS IN CAPITAL LETTERS! UN-AMERICAN TRASH!" (I can't actually write what he said)
Me "But…Video games!"
I hope you enjoyed the Superbowl. I really do but I can not watch football god it puts me to sleep. So my girlfriend and I played co-op Monster Hunter Tri. Devil Jiho died hard!
Commie!
"Oh, and the Black Eyed Peas stunk the joint up, too." you sure could not have said it better. I had my tv muted shortly after they started 'singin'. but i could still her it coming from the living room. And my mom was saying aloud everything I was thinking as she wentt back and forth to the kitchen.
No one here liked the half time show.
So all you people out there I don't want you saying 'The Who" were the worst halftime show anymore… There is a new king and they are peas.
I just saw O'reilly's much anticipated post interview with the Prez. Ok, not really, after 30 seconds all I heard was "Blah Blah Blah Blah"…"Blah Blah Blah"- "blah Blah Blah Blah. I got bored and came to share my wonderful experiance with all of you. Still can't stand either of them.
'america the beautiful' in a pitchy, endless arrangement sung by a gleegomaniac as a promo for her show, the national anthem butchered by a screeching singer who forgot both the lyrics and the melody (is there anybody who can still sing without adding all sorts of ridiculous runs?), and the 'entertainment' topped off by the black-eyed pieces of crap who make no effort to actually sing at all (even auto-tune couldn't mask their lack of talent). is this really the best that music has to offer in 2011 ?? how sad.
The abbreviated rendition of the anthem in the Movie Hoosiers with Gene Hackman…a simple acapella version, sent shivers up my spine. No disrespect to the anthem, but ten seconds into CA's performance I decided to get that first trip to the can out of the way.
The Packers won. If it weren't against the Steelers I would have been pulling for Green Bay. Even with the 3 turnovers Rodgers could have had another 100 yards and a TD if his receivers didn't drop easy balls.
I'm a huge Aaron Rodgers fan. He punked USC and he punked the Steelers. Brett who?
Couldn't have happened to a better guy. Cheers Mrs. Nolte. The best team won.
Halftime was a waste.
Why can't they all be like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3qD1jKNYaU ?
There are so many good bands out there that could have done a far better job out there both with the halftime show and the national anthem.
If you want to hear something inspiring, do a YouTube search for Chris Daughtry singing the national anthem. Amazing, doing the anthem the honor it deserves.
First of all, congratulations to the Pack. Second way to go Christina Aquarius. And lastly when will it be time for Metallica to rock the holy holy out of halftime?
That's what happens when you try to make the anthem all about yourself.
I heard it on the radio after the fact. The hosts were taking jabs at it. I didn't know if it was an old rendition from years ago or a 'joke'. Then they said it was CA.
It was bad. Period. It reminded me of that SIMPSONS episode where some 'soul singer' takes 90 minutes to sing the anthem with all his variations and it's sundown before the game begins.
She was too involved in stylizing the song. It was a sucky performance. Screwing up the words just made it worse.
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