It's written in 3/4 time. It's not a march. It's actually a waltz (or closest to that). Tap it out and you'll see. It's properly played quickly at international soccer matches to prevent a riot in the stands from football hooligans who cannot wait for the start of the next nil-nil outcome. What we saw in this game, as in the Marvin Gaye rendition at the NBA all-star game, is that anything can have soul in the hands of a creative genius like Marvin or Aretha, or Jimi for that matter.
Let me give this a try: It's Thanksgiving. There is a flag the size of the football field unfurled. It's being waved by players in addition to fans. It's Detroit. Motown. We are coming off the most divisive election in memory. And it's Aretha Franklin, not only singing, but accompanying herself on the piano (I'm a fan and did not know she could still play that well). She's 74 years old and the undisputed Queen of Soul. We aren't looking for the usual 54 second run through (could have played an old Kate Smith recording for that). We are looking for something for that moment. And Aretha gave us a version of the anthem that was soulful, and at the same time, I would argue, somewhat deconstructed so that we might focus more on the lyrics. Her delivery of the final line (which is what makes the poem great) was incredibly heartfelt and moving. Now, at one or two spots, she had to move down an octave because the vocal chords wouldn't go where she wanted them to. It wasn't perfect because she is no longer the woman in the Blues Brothers (how great was that number). She is no longer the sassy chanteuse of soul, but more a national treasure spanning several generations. She was there near the origins of soul, and now, in maybe her last big stage, bringing patriotism and unity in a way that others only talk about.
As to the music itself, in a soul and blues type rendition, you can't just sing along. Instead, you should just let it hit you as it comes. Be willing to be surprised. Expect twists and turns. Tension and resolution. And then look for the song to bring all the unloosed horses back into the corral as Aretha beautifully does with "o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." I agree it wasn't perfect. I don't expect that from a 74-year old. But it was brilliant, and thrilling -- to me.
Or maybe you just had to grow up loving Motown. No harm in us disagreeing on the merits of the song! It's now one of my top three versions. The other two are Marvin's and Mo Cheeks'. Not a super big fan of Jimi's or Whitney's, although I understand why people like them.
