Music aficionados: If you had to rewrite the Star Spangled Banner

[Baitball Blogger]

in a key that everyone could sing, what changes would you make?

[seveneyes]

1. I'd keep it in the key of Love ...

[Gidney N Cloyd]

2. Reminds me of a brilliant old Albert Brooks bit:

[Baitball Blogger]

3. That style brought back memories of my childhood.

That was great! Thanks.

[FrodosPet]

14. This is EXACTLY the bit I was thinking about!

Unfortunately, this version is missing one of the funniest anthems:

"As we stand here waiting
For the ballgame to start
We give thanks for our homes
And our two car garages"

[Gidney N Cloyd]

16. "We give thanks for teeeee veeeee..."

"GET OFF THE STAGE!"

[BlueJazz]

4. It's not the key. It's the range. Not that much of a "spread" for a decent singer. People usually...

...start the song too high (for their range)
Just start the tune so the SAY part is at your lowest note.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

5. I couldn't re-write it.

Jimi broke the mold.

[pinboy3niner]

6. I still won't be able to sing it, no matter what you geniuses do

Some of us are born not to sing.

[DFW]

7. We used to re-write "America The Beautiful" when we were in college in Philadelphia

It was 1971, and Frank Rizzo, the oafish corrupt police chief had just been installed as mayor. West Philly was a teeming slum with junkies and break-ins and rapes and assaults. The sky was dull-colored and stank from the refineries on the Delaware River, and the most cherished prize was a ride outta there on weekends.

Oh, filthy you with chocolate skies
And four straight weeks of rain
With brutal cops who just can't wait
To bring us lots of pain

Philadelphia, Philadelphia
God took a crap on thee
And crown thy crud with junkies' blood
From North to South Philly.


Nixon was president. Rizzo was mayor. We were a fairly depressed bunch back then!

[Baitball Blogger]

8. An inspired effort, nevertheless.

[malthaussen]

12. I remember those days well.

Remember the Doonesbury bit where Doones and Mark are trying to find America on their motorcycle? They pull into Philly and Frank greets them with a submachinegun and hand grenades: "Hey, what you boys doin' in Philly?" Mark (the Jew) tells Frank he though Frank would like seeing a nice Italian boy like him, and Frank replies that he's sorry, he thought they were Negros or hippies or something.

It's like Trudeau lived here.

-- Mal

[DFW]

18. I remember the Doonesbury Philly episode well

All of us who had lived there thought that little series iconic.

[AwakeAtLast]

9. It's not the song

Every person I have heard that tries and fails to sing it starts in a key that is way too high. That happens on the very first note and then they are doomed.

When my elementary age students and I sing the song, I usually play it in A or A flat. They do not have a problem with it except for (sometimes) the lowest note. I would rather hear an out of tune low note than an out of tune high note.

[jmowreader]

10. Change the words to something a bit less warlike

This is nice...

[Juicy_Bellows]

11. Yes!

Although I am not a religious person - God Bless America would be my vote. I think it has a lovely melody.

I'd happily take This Land is Your Land, can you imagine how awesome that would make the Olympics?

[bigwillq]

15. I am not religious either

But I love God Bless America. I think it's a beautiful song. I love how it's sung during the 7th inning stretch during NY Yankees home games.

[malthaussen]

13. Just let Leslie Nielsen take it...

-- Mal

[olddots]

17. keep the dopey lyrics and sing them to Louie Louie

everybody can sing it , problem solved .