Patti LaBelle Sings The National Anthem At The World Series Game 4
October 26, 2008
Philadelphia’s own soul diva Patti LaBelle put her own twist on The Star-Spangled Banner, America’s National Anthem at the beginning of game 4 of the World Series in Philly on Sunday.
Though the 64-year-old LaBelle has performed in hundreds of venues during her storied career that includes two Grammy Awards and countless No. 1 hits, she can still appreciate the excitement that comes with singing at a major sporting event.
“This is big,” she said, prior her performance at Game 4 of the World Series on Sunday night. “I don’t know how many people will be watching, but just to be asked to do this, do you know what a blessing that is, for Patti LaBelle from Philadelphia? I feel especially big tonight. Huge.”
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October 26th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
WHAT WAS THAT??
October 26th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Geesh, just sing the song the way it was written. Enough with the artistic license. If you don’t like the way it is, we will get someone else to sing it.
October 26th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Why does she keep getting asked to sing this?
She butchers it everytime.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Can any of you complaining do any better? Exactly! That’s why you all were not asked to sind it. If you don’t like the way she sings it then change the channel. Obviously people who matter think she does a great job hence the number of requests she receives to sing the National Anthem.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:26 am
I meant, sing.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:43 am
I love Patti, but that was bad. What a shame. Even messed up the
words twice -
“skylight’s last gleaming,” (instead of twilight’s)
“through the perilous flight,” (instead of fight)
October 27th, 2008 at 8:56 am
“Can any of you complaining do any better? Exactly! That’s why you all were not asked to sind it. If you don’t like the way she sings it then change the channel. Obviously people who matter think she does a great job hence the number of requests she receives to sing the National Anthem.
“
I can’t sing as well as she can, but I would sing it the way it is written. As far as the people who matter thinking she does a great job, people “who matter” once invited Roseanne to sing the Anthem, so I wouldn’t put much stock in that.
The purpose of singing the Anthem at a public event is to lead the crowd in the singing. There is no way the crowd could have followed whatever that was she was doing. If she wants to sing the Anthem that way, she should do it in her concerts. I feel this way for anyone doing the Anthem at an event – including Taylor Swift and the Backstreet Boys.
I think the vast majority of the people in this country know Patti LaBelle can sing. She has an amazing voice, IF she would just sing. I looked up some older clips of her on YouTube and she was spectacular. The older she gets, however, the more “dressing up” she does with her songs and it becomes difficult to listen.
I thought Los Lonley Boys did a superb job when they sang and if Patti would just sing it the correct way, people would be mesmerized. She should realize that being asked is a huge honor and she should perform the song with dignity, not as if she’s auditioning.
October 27th, 2008 at 9:35 am
What the fuck was that? What is it with black folks and butchering the anthem?
October 27th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I have to agree with Jeff. Just sing the song the way it was written, including the correct words.
Tee - how do you know how many requests Patty receives to sing the National Anthem. I hate know-it-all’s.
October 27th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I was so disgusted with Labelles rendition of the National Anthem. I agree with all of the posts here. I have been singing opera all over the world for the last ten years after working my butt off during school for over ten years. I have been a struggling musician all these years but even my eight year old students know that you better know your words before you go out there to perform. What a disgrace to sing such a powerful and passionate song that every American should know by heart in such a terrible and careless manner. What does this say about Americans? Yes I am apalled. They always pick the most famous instead of the best qualified. This is America for you! Star power always trumps beauty and accuracy. Maybe next year they will learn from this. I watched this with my boyfriend and my 103, yes 103 year old Grandmother. I will never forget her words: “That was just awful, don’t you agree?” That says it all. Even someone who is wheelchair bound, hard of hearing and couldn’t care less for baselball hit the nail right on the head! Imagine those of us who are passinate about freedom, baseball and singing: I cried. Yes it may sound silly and stupid but I have been to places where children drink filthy water and don’t have food to eat yet they sing and dance. Here is a woman who has it all and she butchers the song that stands for all she has. Unbelievable. Whitney, you still rock in my eyes; Maybe next time! I love the USA!!! Play Ball my friends!!! Make us proud Tampa Bay!!!!! More cowbell!!!!!
October 27th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Dogs everywhere howled, cats were in heat; crystal shattered
in china cabinets, car alarms went off; pacemakers short-
circuited, water pipes burst; the twilights in the ceiling
cracked and birds took fright from their nests. I used to be
a Patti LaBelle fan: her records went out in this morning’s
trash and her songs deleted from my computer play list. I
thought of it as getting “my ya-yas out”. Her performance was
simply appalling. For shame! If you can’t get the words
right, at least hit the proper Key. This melody began as a
drinking song; I’ll bet almost any drunk could have sung it
better.
October 27th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
And I thought butchers were going the way of the fax machine. I’m embarrassed to have even heard that debacle.
October 27th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
She was an embarrassment to the city of Philadelphia! Come on!
It is our National Anthem! Back Street Boys, Patti Labell!
They were horr–rrr—rrrr–ible!! I turned up the volume and MADE
my family listen to that craaa-aaaa-aaaa-aaaa-pppppp last night.
Geeeezzzzzuuzzz!! What will we get tonight?? Another 10 minute
rendition of 3 minute National Anthem???
Ooooooooo ooooo saaayyyy saaaayyy aaaaaaaaaaaa ccaaaaaannnnnnnnnn
yoooouuuuuuu-uuuuuuu—uuuuuuuuu aaaaa uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu aaauuuuu
seeeeeeee aaaaaaa seeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Give us a break! Just sing it!
October 27th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Wow, I normally tear up a little with emotion from pure pride when I hear the Anthem. This time I teared up from the pain.
October 27th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I love Patti’s imitation of Bleeding Gums Murphy. She really paid him much respect.
Eggs, Bacon and Marmalade! Baby!
October 27th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
# tee Says:
October 27th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Can any of you complaining do any better? Exactly! That’s why you all were not asked to sind it. If you don’t like the way she sings it then change the channel. Obviously people who matter think she does a great job hence the number of requests she receives to sing the National Anthem.
———————
Oh hell yeah. Lots of people could do better. She herself could have probably done better if she rehearsed the song a little better.
That was atrocious!
LaBelle is a great singer and entertainer, but she MURDERED that National Anthem.
October 27th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I think Patti LaBelle is one of the most talented soul singers out there. Unfortunately, our National Anthem isn’t a soul song. And if someone can’t respect it enough to sing it the way it was written, they should decline the invitation to sing at a public event.
October 27th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
wow….i thought it was awesome.
i guess everyone sees things differently
i think she did a fantastic job
October 27th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
its simple realy, the people that complain are either jealous (like opera singer) cry me a river…more qaulified…strugling musician…you crack me up. ive been playing guitar and singing for years…but i also have a job. if you wanted it bad enough you could do something too. dont blame that youre not famous on everyone else…thats just silly. as far as everyone else…well not only can you not sing, but you would probably piss youre pants once you got out in front of all those people. oh yeah they called her to sing it. not you because…o yeah thats right YOU SUCK
October 27th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
RE: # andrew ford Says:
October 27th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Seeing Patti was, indeed, awsome; it was the listening part
that was an assault on the ears and an insult to the Americans
who aren’t Philadelphians. I am a musician and we’re talking
about an artist’s taste and respect. Patti has the ability to
sing the Anthem beautifully and chose not to.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
What a shame. One of the worst versions I have ever heard. Patti has an incredible talent and chose to embarass herself. She blew the lyrics, blew the melody(and anything close to it), and blew the song. I’m sorry to hear that she has hit rock bottom, I don’t think she can get any lower.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I was at the game and everyone in the stadium was laughing at her as she sang because it was so terrible. The fans only cheered because the fireworks went off.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
I agree - LaBelle’s rendition was probably the worst I’ve ever heard -
even if she sung the right words it wouldn’t have helped!
To those of you who like opera - that’s fine - but go to the ball
park and see how many opera fans you will find there! Have you ever
heard our Philadelphia Eagles fight song? E - A - G - L- E - S!
I don’t think our fans went there to hear opera - but of course
that’s my opinion!
October 27th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I remember when the National Anthem was sung before all sporting events.
Now it is just a cop-out for all has beens looking for a hit, only
Whitney was lucky enough to pull that off. Give it up and sing it like
it is supposed to be sung.
October 27th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
“sky lights last gleaming” (Instead of twilight)
“through the perilous flight” (Instead of light)
“Lamp parts” (Instead of ramparts)
IS she 64 years old and from this country? Maybe she can learn the
words to the national anthem for the country that she lived in for
64 years.
October 28th, 2008 at 9:12 am
“its simple realy, the people that complain are either jealous (like opera singer) cry me a river…more qaulified…strugling musician…you crack me up. ive been playing guitar and singing for years…but i also have a job. if you wanted it bad enough you could do something too. dont blame that youre not famous on everyone else…thats just silly. as far as everyone else…well not only can you not sing, but you would probably piss youre pants once you got out in front of all those people. oh yeah they called her to sing it. not you because…o yeah thats right YOU SUCK”
The point is that she is there to lead the crowd, not show off what she considers “singing”. She is a great singer, and that’s what kills me. If she would just sing the song, it would be awesome.
October 28th, 2008 at 9:37 am
No jealosy here…just disgusted amazement. The National Anthem does NOT have “versions”. Personally, I prefer mine without the soulful vocal runs. Big league sports should get a clue, get some different singers and set some limits.
October 28th, 2008 at 10:10 am
She sucked, big time!
October 28th, 2008 at 11:34 am
I heard this the other day on the radio and was appalled. She doesn’t know the words? And what the hell was that melody. Hells Bells if I were singing the anthem from the South I would be creamated. But she can butcher OUR National Anthem? Oh, that’s right, she is an Obama Supporter…the rules don’t apply to them…or any kind of loyalty. Well folks get used to this. We are going to be hearing a lot more crap where this came from.
How much is airfare to Canada?
October 28th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Grinding the wrong axe, Lee. One thing has nothing to do with the other. Nice try though…classic propaganda move.
October 28th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
The Star Spangled Banner was written to the tune of a drinking song.
Fact: The tune attributed to John Stafford Smith “To Anacreon in Heav’n.”
Anacreon wasa classical Greek poet who wrote of love and wine.
Francis Scott Key set his lyrics to the popular pub tune to commemorate the defense of Fort Mc Henry during the War of 1812. Such a fitting tune to set one’s lyrics to, and people complain when performers take artistic license with the public performance of a song that is at best difficult to sing. True in many cases the spirit of the song is moitered, but less just forget about it and have another pint of bitters….eh!
October 28th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I was at Game 4 and couldn’t wait for her screaming to end. It was by far, the worst rendition of the National Anthem that I have ever heard. Our section couldn’t wait for it to be over. The applause you heard was from the fans that were glad the noise was over. If you can’t sing the song the way it was meant to be sung — stay home. There are so many talented people that would’ve done a wonderful job, but instead we had to endure that nightmare. Let’s be honest…doesn’t EVERY song she sings wind up sounding the same anyway?????
October 29th, 2008 at 10:07 am
could somebody e mail me the video of pattie sing the national anthem
October 29th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
its a stupid song anyway hahahahahahhahahahahahahaha that is the longest song ever! no matter who sings it and Patty has a beautiful voice! and why when something is song by an African American people have to “black people this black people that” are you that ignorant?! I’ve heard the song down by tired country singers and POP singers (white people) and done horrible! she put some flavor to it! so hush up. ignorance is not an attractive attibute.
October 29th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
and can someone explain HOW the song is supposed to be sung? whoever said their was a particular way its supposed to be song? Whitney Houston did a beautiful rendition and so did Marvin Gaye..
OBAMA for PRESIDENT
October 29th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
marvelous! the national anthem we should do a count to see what the new anthem should be. cause the current one sucks, seriously time for a change
October 29th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
peace be with you all. Today I pray that someone will be healed in Jesus name that a life will be saved. Submit to Yeshua and you will be saved! I pray for peace and mercy in the life of the person reading this. God spoke to me and told me that someone needs to know this is your season. you’ve been going through a rough patch in your life. know that He will never leave you nor forsake you. He has designed the perfect recipe for your life. Walk into your season. Read God’s word it is your guide.
God Bless you.
October 29th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
TO # black princess Says:
October 29th, 2008 at 5:59 pm :
Take some time to learn basic grammar and spelling. Ignorance
is not, as you say, an attractive attribute.
November 1st, 2008 at 7:30 am
I will not indulge in mindless stabs back and forth. Having saidn that, there are some things I would like to state. There is no particular way to sing the National Anthem. Each singer(s) or group asked to sing the National Anthem will bring their own style to the delivery of the song. That’s just human nature. It has absolutely nothing to do with race. I enjoyed Patti LaBelle’s rendition of the National Anthem as I have before. Being a proud service member I am always filled with pride everytime I hear the National Anthem because my pride is not based on the person singing. My pride is based on having firsthand knowledge of the sacrifices that service members face everyday, in both wartime and peace time. It is the words that move me. Whether the singer knows them or not…I know them.