Jose Feliciano Star Spangled Banner - 4th of July Huntington

[mssummerrose1]

genial

[guiriquita]

I'm not American but I'm proud to say I'm a fan of Jose Feliciano.

[gilly1961]

and shame on Americas media for many station refused to play his songs for years.

[gilly1961]

and shame on Americas media for many station refused to play his songs for years.

[DennisNJ1968]

I think this is the most beautiful version of our National Anthem ever!

[dhburnett]

Beautiful verison just beautiful by Jose all wrong by Christina Aguilera they still play her music come on his verison is beautiful and all the words was right.



[dhburnett]

Beautiful verison just beautiful



[63smwarpig]

i get teary eyed every time i hear this

[13depdawgjim]

The Star Spangled Banner is the Anthem of our "Nation". Our "Nation" is made up of many diverse cultures and individuals. Thus, there are many renditions. As a soldier, I fought for many freedoms. One of which is expression. Jose expressed himself wonderfully as do others. In many cultures you could be killed for this. I am blessed to be an American! God Bless America! All I ask is you remember the words.

[MakulettAko]

@13depdawgjim : Amen, brother! Say it loud and say it proud[ly]!

[BroughamConspiracy]

Wonderfully put! E Pluribus Unum. From Many, One. I am a Soldier as well. I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the People of The United States and live the Army Values.

[shoobedoorocketship]

i was a child in detroit and i have a vague memory of it being controversial, now, over 40 years later listening to it, i cant believe there was such a fuss over it. how times change.

beautiful, very nice, for some reason, i thought he went on and on and on at the end, i dont know how i got that impression in my head.

[ryorta]

Who ever came up the idea to invite Christina Aguilera to sing the star spangled banner should've thought it twice. That person should have brought Jose.

[TomLikesGuitar]

It's really hard to watch Christina Aguilera butchering this song at the superbowl after watching Feliciano's version...

Hell, Aguilera didn't have to play guitar either...

Plus there's that whole blind thing...

[JohnK086]

Absolutely everything right with this SSB rendition. Jose never meant to reinvent the Anthem. That's just his style, and he need make no apology ever.

[rogerschase]

Great that song always make me feel proud to be the American crowd

[Eskimo1973]

Lables and radio stations banned him after this performance... how naieve they were

[Jorari1]

The first singer that dare to change the "U.S. national in his own particular style.

[daddyjankie]

Awesome.

[LongLiveOx]

Fantastic. Shame on those people who booed him.

[bluv6]

Really quite beautiful. I remember seeing this live before the World Series game in '68 sitting on the gym floor of my elementary school in Detroit. Hard to believe now that this lovely version of our anthem was so controversial at the time that the network's switchboard lit up with calls from outraged viewers.

[nightswimmer99]

This song is a tribute to a country where individuals are free enough to become their best selves, and to share that with others... we have so many unique versions of the Star Spangled Banner now (and more to come), because Jose Feliciano was brave enough to be first.

Thanks always, Jose.

[tonymac96]

Wow....I have been told that Feliciano was not kickout from the stadium due to his condition....Remember...this was 1968....when latinos and blacks were treated like scum. Feliciano had to have balls like King-Kong to sing the US anthem like that...and still be alive today.

Any way..I do like this interpretation !!! Awesome !!!

[nandoq23]

this is just beautiful! jose u rock!

[HildaJeanAM]

I enjoyed listening to him sing this awesome song!

[MrNewerbeg]

This is my absolute favorite version of this song ever....beautiful.

[stickitupyourasteric]

@MrNewerbeg  totttalllly agrreeee with you long live Jose

[OpakeArawra2]

i really hate on america quite a bit, but things like this remind me that there are good americans out there, though they are few and far between, that are willing to piss off a bunch of uptight assholes by doing something really cool.

[frogsoda]

I love the flag pic at 1:32.

[frogsoda]

Jose Is a Great American!!

[mcwaddle]

i always say that just do the thing normally and dont make it your own. but he made a wonderful version

[felomanmustang]

Escuchando este himno, gracias a Yolanda Velez Arcelay. Esto es un ejemplo y un heroe Boricua

[Comuna]

Anyway it was an Old Bar Room English Song And Jose just made it more beautiful. Great Rendition of a very difficult song to sing.

[iamzbacku]

At the time it was originally sung in 68, I was one of the fools who had his eyes blinded by tradition. Today, I think this is one of the most moving renditions of our anthem ever sung. Yes, tears come to my eyes with the traditional rendition that is belted out by those with great voices, but this does the same as I hear Jose's respect and love for his country as he sang this so many years ago.

[313MRPresident]

IT'S a CLASSIC!!  Cant belive I havent herd it before. I would love to hear this rendition at any sporting event in the US. Youth through the pros. & it is about 30 seconds longer than the origanal.

[timnan53]

i loved it the first time i heard it, but then i am canadian, i wish he would have sang our anthem , it sounded beautiful in 1968 and still does today , the usa should be pround to play this rendition always

[Oruboris]

Today we can see it as art, but at the time it felt like politics.

In and of itself, it's low key, sweet, soulful and sincere: a version I'd be happy to stand up for in any context. But at the time, it seemed backhanded, like the tradition of the anthem was being employed in an almost snide fashion to offer editorial comment on the entire nation, that a moment of unity-- all the fans standing for the same song-- was being co-opted by politics.

I have no idea if that was his intention...

[KCcolt4440]

Bravo.

[JeffreyStewartNewton]

This is beautiful. RIP ERNIE HARWELL 1918-2010. Jose will be at the ERNIE HARWELL TRIBUTE Monday May 10, 2010 at Detroit's Comerica Park before the Tigers game. Ernie picked Jose for the gig, and championed the performance his whole life. I'm a Jazz musician. Jose's version is great!

[ken49ers]

Ernie did a good job picking this one.

[dave4248]

why did people complain that this was too "long?" He changed the melody, but the length is the same as any other rendition

[sparky513599]

@dave4248

Well he did the Ten commandments Version which is longer than just the normal one. Which didn't give Denny McLean enough time to warm up and he gave up some runs in the first inning.

[generalbullmoose]

@sparky513599

Actually, it was Lolich who pitched that day. And as you said, it did cost him warmup time & led to his worst inning of the whole series.

[generalbullmoose]

@dave4248

You have to understand the times...the 1960s. To do this in any way other than the traditional way was, at the time, seen as a form of blasphemy. Phones lines at NBC in New York and at Tiger Stadium in Detroit were flooded even before the song ended, and towns throughout the nation passed ordinances saying it had to be sung traditionally. Quite an uproar.

[DSmoothMike]

Felacio is awesome! Great song!

[rcnalland]

Yes, I did (answering the goose bump question). Feliciano is just amazing at putting the feeling back where it belongs.

[lapicacamuy]

The best!!!

[JESSEPOWERSSR]

This is great ! !

[dgarcia63]

Felicidades Jose, creci escuchando tu musica,eres de lo mejor que tenemos los latinos,me encanto tu entrevista en Vme,y si encontre el video en youtube del himno de usa,es muy exquisita la manera en que lo cantas. sigue triunfando.

De parte de un catracho que le gusta la buena musica.

[obliviontool]

Exquisito, así se quiere a un país!

[TriumphProperty]

Want to know how great it this version?

Did you get goose bumps all over?

There is your answer!

Best version ever along with Whitney Houston and Marvin's.

[markmichaelwong]

im no american but i've always loved the american national anthem... and to be honest, this version made me love the anthem even more

[bionicbigfoot]

I fuckin LOVE this version.

[stripemister]

Along with Marvin Gay singing the Star Spangled Banner at a NBA B/Ball All Star game, and this version, there's no better version out there. It should be mandatory that one of these versions be played at all sporting events.

[bytor21122112]

from a canadian point of view, this is hands down the best version of your national anthem. nice post!

[DOME5CALL]

I can't believe this guy caught so much heat for singing the National Anthem this way, it's gotta be the best version I had ever heard to this day. And i don't even listen to country or blues. And If you watch in the background, when he sings the NA at the World Series, the guys behind him start to get nervous. Why?, because he sang it differently? U can tell, there was so much racism and stereotyping, it was ridiculous. Great job, Jose.

[RonnieAGonzalez]

@DOME5CALL he did it a la boricua as us puerto ricans say.

[AngelNoriega1]

this rendition of our national anthem brings a tear to my eye..

God bless our Great nation and God bless Jose Feliciano..

[stripemister]

In put Jose version of Star Spangled Banner up there with Doo_Wop, the greatest sounding music to one's ear. Great job Jose.

[MegaYoshitsune]

It's just so great.

[huckfinn135]

Hard to believe that Feliciano was booed by many and lost jobs because of this. I just watched a documentary on the MLB network that talked about how controversial this was when he sang it at the 1968 World Series. Now it just sounds great!

[afundad06]

Ive been a fan of his music for years !!! and as far as his guitar playing.....he by far superceeds most guitar players today.

[zorak2025]

Always loved this man's work even when I was six years old. He is an American icon. Yes this is the best rendition of our national anthem I have ever heard. His wife is sooooo blessed!

[mistermattmoose]

the gold standard of of the u.s. national anthem.

[Flagman00]

This is better than Whitney Houston or anyone else. You can tell this really comes from the heart and is not being used as an audition!

[19solar67]

You said it perfectly. From the heart. True to his style and poignant, with no vocal hysterionics. It's sad that a noisy few made this "controversial". I also agree with the fellow that said, "Makes me proud to be an American". Amen!

[andrewr62]

Beautiful. Makes me proud to be an American.

[ziploxx]

Wow, it brings tears! What memories of when we were kids when he did that! I've always loved this rendition, done and performed from a pure heart.

[Ninny3737]

I like it.

[hinai092]

Yeah! Puerto Rico freaking rocks! Y como dijo GeorgieKatana Tenia que ser un Boricua!! Amor pa' PR

[alexshar64]

I heard it on their show too, I was stunned at how moving it was.

[GeorgieKatana]

Tenia que ser un Boricua que se atreviera hacer algo diferente, por mas que lo criticaron hoy cantan el himno como le dan la gana, y esta atrevida version sigue siendo la mejor. !Que viva Puerto Rico!

[GeorgeCarlin89]

Jose sure had some fucking balls...

Great rendition.

[THOUSANDAlRE]

I really don't think he sang it that way to intentionally cause controversy, he was just singing the song the way he felt it. He was surprised by much of the reaction that followed.

[MrFrankenchrist]

some racist whites were enraged in 68' (and now) that a Latino dared sing this song-

Feliciano's rendition was the best ive ever heard..

[THOUSANDAlRE]

Yea, leave it to some bigoted dumbasses to make an issue out of a non-issue. Jose did absolutely nothing to disrespect this song and frankly his version is the best I've ever heard.

[meyer475]

I was at this game, sitting behind Feliciano in deep center field. I was 15 and wasn't shocked or offended, but I remember it seemed terribly strange and inappropriate. Now I hear it and it's incredibly beautiful. And remarkably tame. But this was a first -- nobody had ever done anything like it before.

[shoon1975]

YOu know we still sing to song wrong? It is sung at a slow pace now but in reality it is suppose to be sung in an upbeat tempo.

[rayka]

your Right. I remember the Orchestra version is a fast tempo. and when the TV stations would sign off for the night theyy would play that. and it wasn't slow, it was fast.

[dvidrio777]

He was ahead of that generation... what an amazing version deeply from the soul... It's amazing!!

[jschmar]

it makes me proud to be hispanic with a rendition like the 1 heard

[Tonyzzz7]

a Simple gift of genius, so far ahead of its time...

I am glad the nation finally caught up.

[toemasie]

I think the Tigers should give this guy a HUGE apology. What a beautiful voice.

[northeastender]

It's never too late to do what's right. I've loved the Tigers since I first saw Tiger Stadium at age 8. Age 44 they now play in a posh stadium in downtown Detroit. Ernie Harwell still lives in Detroit and it's time to right a wrong.

[bulldawgbob]

This is my favorite rendition of the Star Spangled Banner of all time. I will admit that when I was 20 and watching the World Series it caught me off guard at first. But it is so soulful, so heartfelt, and it is achingly beautiful. Thank you for finding and posting it.

[Zolio6]

Eh, I like the original version better. But that's just me. He's got some voice. The puerto rican Ray Charles.

[Finko00]

Tremendous. Really beautiful version- the music, his voice, the soul.

[ethanhopkin14]

We are so far from it now, but this country was in bad shape in 1968. It was a very violent time, and people were paranoid about everything. The most ironic thing about this rendition is it is common to hear "pop" renditions of the Star Spangled Banner now days, and the most famous "pop" rendition was Whitney Houston's before Super Bowl XXV, where veterans can be seen on TV crying. He was just the first to do something like this; it was just a bad year to try it. But how revolutionary!

[hoosierlooker]

The Tigers should invite him back to sing it again. This is a wonderful rendition, so full of soul.

[LadODell]

I am a veteran of Vietnam (3 tours). I consider this a real tribute to both the

country he chose to live in and to the

men and women who have fought

to keep it free. The 60's were a

time of deep divisions and a time

of misplaced hate. We need to

get over it all and move on.

[RAY2424]

Happy fourth , and God bless America.

[RAY2424]

krb I think you are wrong. but that's ok

[RAY2424]

One more thing I am a veteran during the vietnam war. I am honored by this not offended Thanks Jose'

[RAY2424]

Jose is a blind man can't see a monitor can't read the words, but he sang every word perfectly and beuatiful. You have people that sing this and can't remember the words. The people that hurt this man need to apologize. i've been looking for this for a long time . thank you. beautiful.

[booksbenji]

Jose, YOU SING, DUDE!

[oshundayo]

Beautiful!

[mpjrdldn]

I'm not sure how much this was a white thing or a black thing against a Latino thing. Today, we heard various renditions of the Anthem that were unheard of forty-one years ago. So, in 1968, Jose's version may have seemed to be a sacrilege to veterans, many of whom, fought in World Wars I and II and Korea, even Vietnam. Plus, as cherokeetrace said, 1968 was a contentious year, a crack in time.

[joflo82]

The venomous aftermath associated with this piercing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner was initially propelled by the VETERANS in attendance at the WORLD SERIES baseball game in which Jose originally sang this version. They booed the effort vigorously. The NBC announcers tried to downplay the response to no avail. Soon, others in attendance scorned the song. The NBC switchboard was inundated with calls. Did the fact 40 million people saw on TV the song irritate some VETERANS fuel the fire?

[unclesam322000]

OMG yes he does deserves and apology!!!! no dought. I had never heard it before. INCREIBLE!!!!! IM GETTING GOOS FREAKEN BUMBS ALL OVER!

[stepilon]

Jose has that very rare combination of genius talent and incredible soul. Add to that his immense technical skill and you get one of the best ever. Gracias Jose!

[sammydavidjr]

Many Puertoricans were disgusted with this song. Bunch of ignorant people, I'm Puertorican and I love this song. Asa matter of fact, this song was a piece of art.

[jschmar]

best rendition ever heard way to represent

[colombiacrack88]

people are so stupid

they should have been happy that someone was singing the anthem

regardless of the "interpretation"

funny how sometimes being overly patriotic can ruin people

poor guy ... he did good !

[cherokeetrace]

Gotta disagree that "white people" got upset because a latino sang it

Rather I think that it was more the interpretation, less formal than people had heard before As his website indicated 1968 was a tumultuous year The Tet Offensive, the assassinations of RFK and MLK Tradition was being attacked so it's not difficult to understand why older people got upset

I agree it's a gorgous rendition simple heartfelt respectful unlike the overblown, self absorbed antics of too many singers today.

[stepilon]

To cherokeetrace: I'd love to buy what you're selling, but you're fooling yourself if you think that racism had NOTHING to do with the negative response to this version. It was not the only factor of course, but I dare say that it was more than a drop in the bucket.

[TitanicTarn1968]

many white people found this version offensive, as the idea of a latino singing this song upset them....

sad, as it's a gorgous version.

[dannycrespo]

This a Jewel... Jose Feliciano is great.

[JSCHITO]

THE BEST VERSION

[dankeewolnir4042]

even though this almost ruined his carreer...this should be the real US anthem...because the original melody was just copied from the british anthem...with new words. So this is the REAL US anthem

[nashtndawg]

The reason it didn't ruin his career is because the SMART people didn't cave in to the DUMB people! Just like the John Lennon "Jesus" thing....

[chimchim143]

this is the most beautiful rendition of the song i've ever heard!

[wonderglory]

Very nice. Jennifer Hudson's rendition is just as equal.

[krbkrbk]

Whitneys is the best of all time. 1991 superbowl

[dropover]

I haven't heard this in a number of years, but the beauty of it brought tears to my eyes upon hearing it again. This is probably the most musically creative and heartfelt version of the anthem I have ever heard.

[pallogrande]

Absolutely! Well said. (it brought tears to my eyes too!)

[jimguiao]

Jose deserves an apology, but still, damaged has been done to his career.

[boomanracing]

this is my FAVORITE version of the National Anthem.

[cannonballkid]

Beautiful! Go America y viva Puerto Rico!

[Kenor12]

This is really beautiful! I think he deserves an apology!

[tucantante]

Just beautiful

[BAhern63]

compared to grossanne barr,tolerable,not bad at all.

[akaufmanbmrly]

the way it should sound!!!!!!

[WayOutWesley]

People were mad because they couldn't sing along? Nope... he messed with THEIR song. He changed it. How dare he do such a thing?!! That's what they were mad about... but I have to say I think its a tremendously heartfelt and POSITIVE version of the song and people listening to it today would be ashamed of the negative reaction back then. But it was a different time and hopefully we're slowly growing up as is evidenced by the posts of people not understanding what the fuss was all about.

[sm00th116]

i'd like to believe you but the arrogance and hated i saw throughout tis election, i ust dont know

[demohunto3]

why do you have a -1? You have a really good point.

[TitanicExplorer]

HOW could this version possibly offend anybody????

It's the most beautiful version of the national anthem Ive ever heard!

[TitanicExplorer]

In case you didn't know, after Jose performed this, there was a boycott of his music, as racist white people were offended by his version of the song

[TheSeventyReasons]

This is an interpretation of a musical genious. If you don't believe this guy is a genious, you have to watch some of his classical guitar videos here on youtube.

[mguzmanabra00]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL..!!

[bushmaster23]

and goose bumps. 5 Stars!!!

[mguzmanabra00]

yes!!! I can't understand in ANY way, how people can find this offensive.. this is magistral, different, fresh, but is NOT offensive!!.. Standing Ovation for this..! ;)

[e4jasperi]

Sadly his interpretation was way ahead of his time!

[PaulaAndreaMyLove]

The most original of the non-traditional versions that I have ever heard.

[greatmarconi]

Give me thumbs down all you want but what redrum and samroca said was totally baseless. To suggest white singers were somehow immune from outrage flies against history. See Jim Morrison's appearance on Ed Sullivan, Elvis' appearances, Jerry Lee Lewis' career changed because of his first marriage, the Beatles after Lennon's comments about being bigger than Jesus. Being white didn't give them a pass. To suggest this great performance was attacked based solely on race is asinine and race-baiting.

[WayOutWesley]

I agree. What was taboo was messing with tradition. Lennon made the cardinal sin of joking that they (the beatles) were bigger(more popular) than Jesus..because of the huge crowds and fan reactions..and was torched over it. Jose's race probably didn't help anything at that time period. Rosanne Barr was torched for her screaching version of the national anthem...the person who should have gotten torched was the one who asked her to sing in the first place.

[JGFR87]

This rendition is absolutely beautiful!

[dukrous]

I've never heard this before...glad I've discovered it through random searches. It's a gorgeous interpretation and really shows just how universal the idea of the United States put into this song is as it transcends musical styles and tastes.

[JSCHITO]

the best version of the anthem wow original Jose Feliciano

[bookumdannofive0]

Dear Jose: My Father, who served in the armored infantry on the Western Front, in World War II and his son, Daniel, thought you did a "Fantastic Job of singing the "National Anthem" in 1968. God Bless you Jose all the days of your life. Those people never heard a shot fired in anger. Dan K., Grafton, Mass.

[TXblasphemer]

This is among my favorite renditions of the American national anthem. I personally believe it portrays how imaginative our cultural melting pot of a society really is!

[B0yardigi0rn0]

The beauty of his interpretation offended the ugliness in the hearts of all those ignorant cats :(

[maxaug1]

Sung from the heart, this is amazing!

[cjt3681]

Beautiful

[TitanicExplorer]

Hard to believe this version actually offended people- i think it's beautiful

[Revolver1701]

It is hard to believe anyone could be offended by this beautiful and respectful rendition, but in 1968 America was full of amazingly uptight control freaks who were ready willing and more than able to tell you how to live your life and how to sing, dance, talk and walk.  Just enjoy the music and ignore the assholes.

[redrum154]

they were offended because the name of the singer was jose feliciano. had the name been for example, elvis presley or jerry lee lewis, it would be dubbed "the best rendition of all time" or whatever...

[samroca]

redrum154, you are right. If the singer had not been a hispanic (an American from Puerto Rico) there wouldn't have been any issue. This shows the deep rooted racism present back then and still present today. Although today's racism is less intense and obvious, the hate continues. It is passed on from generation to generation like a demonic curse. Jose sang the anthem from the heart, in his own style, proud for being an American and thankful for living in such a great country. God Bless him.

[5xls]

You'll always find stupid racists of EVERY color. I'm a White guy, and I think Señor José Felicianos rendition of his National Anthem is the most beautiful I've ever heard. What do you think of that? Take the chip off your shoulder for cryin' out loud! If this country was so racist in 1968, he would have never been a big enough STAR in the music industry to be invited to perform in the first place, right? He wasn't only popular in Puerto Rico.

[samroca]

5xls, excellent points. I guess most people that have been discriminated against have some kind of chip on their shoulders. But by you being a 'white guy' you don't know what it's like being hispanic or black or any other non-white minority living in the states. Yes, Jose became a star but it was a constant battle against racism and bigotry. He said so himself in an interview.

[TitanicExplorer]

Even today there is rabid anti Hispanic racism- much of the anti immigrant rhetoric of the radical right wing is thinly guised racial hatred of Hispanics.

[WayOutWesley]

Some of it is that...and a lot of it is a carryover of Lee Atwater tactics for gaining and maintaining Votes and Control over the electorate.

[5xls]

Says you.

[5xls]

Sorry, I haven't figured out this "reply" thing yet. That wasn't meant for akaufmanbmrly below.

[5xls]

Yes, this is the way it should sound! :-{)}