Let Freedom Ring, Beyonce!

The following letter was published in the Houston Chronicle on January 14, 2004, prior to the SuperBowl held in Houston on February 1, 2004. Beyonce sang the National Anthem at that event.






It is with considerable chagrin that I read Robert Bone's Jan. 8 Viewpoints letter, "Star-spangled opportunity," insisting that The Star-Spangled Banner be sung exactly as it was written. I beg to differ. My personal favorite is Jimi Hendrix's version, although it may be not to everyone's taste and is probably too long for most settings. But the last thing I would want to see is for every performer to sing this anthem in the exact same manner.

Do not the lyrics speak of the land of the free? Are we not taught that every American has the opportunity to achieve the fullest use of talents and abilities? Have we not learned how cultural differences enrich us?

I do not believe the way a song is written is meant to be a musical straight-jacket, but invites every performer to leave his or her own musical imprint; and on our national anthem, to say, in whatever manner, "This is my flag, too."

I hope on Feb. 1, when Beyonce Knowles performs the national anthem at the Super Bowl in Reliant Stadium, that she will give it the best she has to offer, reflecting the manner in which it speaks to her. It will also speak to me.







The letter appeared under a photograph of Beyonce accepting the female artist of the year award at the Billboard Music Awards in December 2003. The caption noted that she would be singing to an estimated viewing audience of 800 million people worldwide.