Smokey Robinson Sings National Anthem at Fenway Park 1986

[goback3spaces]

a cappella is the only way to sing the anthem properly. just my opinion.

[fairdealdadaman]

Finest rendition i've ever heard!

[Foldisfitch]

SMOKEY ROBINSON!!!

[theintruder42]

Nice job Smokey.

[2008ritaOc]

still my favourite -December 2011

[userexists123]

Beautifully sung, but this is meant to be the national anthem, not some kind of pop song.

[rickyseabra]

I remember this... what a sensation it was when he changed over to America the Beautiful!

[wallstreetatheist]

Check out the guy's face at 2:12

[PKingman]

@wallstreetatheist At least it was bubble gum and that he wasn't pulling a wedgie out or scratching his gonads. Ball players are always so classy.

[11ymous]

Thank you for uploading this. My all-time favorite rendition since I saw/heard it that night in '86. I wish he'd recorded it.

[goback3spaces]

I'm not crazy about the tempo, nor do I like canned musical accompaniment to what should be an a capella performance.

[MegaBtbam]

this makes me want to fall asleep, instead of pumping me up for the game

[irishmary24]

In light of the recent Super Bowl rendition of this song, I have returned to my favorite version. Smokey simply walks to the mic and delivers the meaning of this song more eloquently than any ''Hollywood'' or ''Vegas'' screamer. He's absolutely the best!

[kevboston]

to the person who said this was live....it wasn't...smokey lip-synched (but i love it anyway)

[PKingman]

@kevboston How did he lip synch something that had never been recorded?

[kevboston]

@PKingman it was recorded the day before in a studio in boston

[Nahzuul]

@PKingman, What makes you think it was never recorded? How would you know? Do you think all studio recordings are immediately released to the public? Think!

[PKingman]

@Nahzuul Woww. You is really smat. And charming too. I bet people line up or pay just to be around your magnificence. Hoping that they can become smat too. By the way, I think that Smokey is a guy that would have a little more class than to try to make money with a recording of this. I thnik the music was more a gift from a great American musician to his country. The quality of class in a person is something you might study. For your own edification and personal growth.

[PKingman]

@kevboston It's actually Oprah doing the singing out a little speaker in Smokey's mouth.

[mnboosters]

@PKingman it might just be me but if thats true oprah sounds like a man when she sings

[starcatj]

Ha ha me too

[kamuelamom]

Till today this remains one of my favorite renditions of our National Anthem. Smokey sings like silk.

[gildajoon]

I am watching this just because of Ray Romano in Oprah.

[cutevwbug]

@gildajoon what does R. Romano have to do with this performance???

[PKingman]

@cutevwbug I didn't see it because I don't watch but apparently Ray Romano was on TV with Oprah about a year ago and he mentioned that he liked this video.

[cutevwbug]

@PKingman  Have you watched Marvin Gaye's version. Both are wonderful

[PKingman]

@cutevwbug Yes, Marvin Gaye's version is excellent too. Most people do an awful job with this music.

[fairdealdadaman]

My fav version all time, Smokey did this live, Whitney lipsynced.

[cutevwbug]

@fairdealdadaman Have you heard Marvin Gaye's version. It is wonderful also.

[SharynEthel]

I remember at the time that I thought he'd lost it! Wasn't sure whether forgot the words or what! However, upon listening to it now, it's great!

[luisasdad]

The best rendition ever!!! Go Yanks!!!

[BrunaoJazzistico]

Im also here due to Ray Romano's interview in Oprah!

[GunaMalaysia]

Magnifique.

[supahfreek]

This sends shivers down my spine... Go Sox!

[ManiaXXVI]

im only watching this cos ray romano said on oprah to look this up lol

[Aggromerchant]

Awesome.

[dutchpuppy2]

Yep, me, too. I just saw Ray on a old re-run (but new here in The Netherlands) Oprah episode...so I just had to check it out! What a voice! Ok, move to "America the Beautiful" and dodge the high notes...but still, BEAUTIFUL! I hope to sing the anthem one of these days...

[boskoflon]

yeah i just saw him on oprah too. its ok i guess...why am i even looking this up?!?

[gratefulsoldier]

Lest we forget!

[lovesserenawilliams]

just saw ray romano on oprah he said this was his favorite hmmm i think whitney

[apl07782]

Ray Romano brought me here xD

[HomemadeIndie]

@apl07782 Lol Me to

[Aggromerchant]

AWESOME.

[dreamer20051]

Ray Romano should be embarrased to have called this his favorite

[SamzIszHere]

Watched this because of Ray Ramano

[onepcwhiz]

@SamzIszHere -- me too!

[baltimoremd79]

i love america

[thomesocksup]

very interesting version. Thanks Ray Romano for even mentioning this. Or shall I say his daughter

[dpatch1]

Sorry Ray Romano..I also like to watch the national anthems, but I'm sticking with my favorite - Whitney, Superbowl ....1991 I think? Must have seen that sucker more than 1000 times..:)

[Kiny28]

LOL@Ray Romano

[torontobabe]

I love Smokey.

[pb4hand]

love you ray thanks I loved it I'll add it to my collection I do the same thing watch NA vids ha aha

[FEATHERSFLYING]

Beautiful ! With a lesson to be learned.

Take note of the crowd, true Americans have their hands over their hearts.

The rest don't even seem aware of the importance of reverence to this song.

They either don't know or don't care what inspired the writing of our National Anthem. ( And this is 1986 )

WAKE THE HELL UP PEOPLE !!!!

[alanbrit]

@FEATHERSFLYING : And how do you define a true american ? Remember: A Nation is simply an arbitrary piece of land with imaginary lines around it. Humans are humans. Just because you are born on a different plot of land does not mean your any different. I think you are too attached to this concept of 'nation'.

[Kultmannen]

@alanbrit look the word nation up, its a synonym for people, the true meaning of nation is people. Its not arbitary and its not about land, its about the people and its togetherness.

It has a deeper meaning then what ur claiming, the word ur lookin for is country.

[alanbrit]

@Kultmannen : People and their TOGETHERNESS? Really? Now you are being delusional -- in a nazi-esque way. The notion of nation is mostly used to segregate people. ("Either you are patriotic or you are a terrorist"). Like it or not, america mostly consists of people with a very very (potentially fatal) limited view of the world. Also, if we were really free, and the people really were "together", why cannot gay people get married? why is it that a PLANT is illegal? Why are we funding murder?

[Kultmannen]

@alanbrit For gods sake, im only correcting ur wrong use of the word "nation".

U said: "A Nation is simply an arbitrary piece of land with imaginary lines around it." wich is wrong, just google it if you dont believe me. half of ur post is just changing the subject....

[alanbrit]

@Kultmannen : A nation is just a CONCEPT, it's NOT real. It is as real as the concept of a "corporation" -- it's just a piece of arbitrary paper in a folder - and no, I wasn't changing the subject, I was just expanding your lack of awareness and how it relateds to your asinine concept of "nation".

[DGabriel1000]

Hey Ray thanks for bringing it together!

[dawneyi]

Hey Ray...Hey Oprah! I am here because of you too! Loved the rendition..very unique!

Hey Ray, what is your 2nd favorite??

Many blessing to the both of you, as you go onto the next phases of your lifes! Ray, I hope you keep us laughing for many more years! The new show looks great!!!

Oprah..I know all will be good with you! Just keep following your heart and all will be good with the world!

Dawn, Clarkston, MI

[TopSalesPrincess]

Hey Ray, watched it for you. Really good.

[madisonkai]

OK Ray I watched it and I cried......

[johnbsk]

i love you ray!

[absolutblue]

hi ray ! are you here? :D

[rligsay]

thanx ray!

[yeskaa13]

i redirected by boogle to Smokys ass from a Vicente Fernández - Volver Volver link....BullSHit ...racist google

[yeskaa13]

STUPID

[brendant19]

I generally am a little annoyed by the obnoxiousness of the American anthem but Smoky knows how to make it a sweet serenade. If only the man didn't have such affection for face lifts, he'd be a flippin saint.

[Steve197201]

Wow! That was the most beautiful rendition of the national anthem I've ever heard.

[proudauntshawn]

Awesome rendition! Thx Ray!

[virgomom707]

this was okay ray not like the best

[shannal1985]

Ray made me watch this too, hahahaha.

[TheHotSauce100]

hguo

[runio4]

Ray Romano made me listen to this and it's really amazing

[miztajmari]

yea u saw him on oprah talking about it too

[runio4]

yeah, i did...really kool

[jannykmac]

Thanks, Ray Romano! His voice AND the arrangement are truly beautiful and worth multiple return visits!!

[starberry132]

always been a fan of smoky robinson and being canadian still love a great anthem even if it is not ours

thanks to Ray Romano and the Oprah show for mentioning it

[swinglow33]

I usually don't catch Oprah, but I'm glad to have seen Ray on recently. Beautifully sung by Smoky Robinson, what a great performer. If you want to hear a train wreck version, look for Carl Lewis's version.

[lucisue53]

Wow. Thanks, Ray Romano, for mentioning this video. And thanks to Smokey for this beautiful, pure, and inspired performance. Wow.

[PaulDeGregorio]

Great rendition. Thanks, Ray, for bringing it to our attention. This 57-year old Italian can't wait for your new show.

[XXxMizzJojoxXX]

LOL saw Ray on the Oprah Show. That's why I'm here as well. He sure is a funny guy. =)

[TVGord]

Everybody Loves Smokey!

[Glorianoemi]

Hi Ray Romano... saw you on Oprah.... great looking family... =) Gloria

[y2kwhite]

Yup, I'm here because of Ray too. haha.

[Lanefasts]

I checked it out because of Ray Romano on Oprah too!

[akilahbee]

Glad to know I'm not the only one...lol. Loved the rendition, btw. Thanks, Ray!

[Boodlums]

I'm here cuz o' ray romano on oprah too. Go smokey!

[bmjw06]

incredible

[sajawebb]

Ray dude...you're one weird guy! Love ya!

[Raggabeany75]

Ray on the Oprah show brought me to this vid...It didn't make me cry, though Oprah's tearful announcement did, but it was a different & refreshing version:) Thanks for bringing it to my attention Ray!:)

[bbwbarguy]

Watch it again.......you can see God's toe.

[MattB11]

Camel toe?

[yogibear4091]

Oprah has the power!!!!

[mikeruth75]

Here because of Ray.. A merged version of SSB and America the Beautiful, messed up or intentional?

[cruzdeliz]

Wow I just caught the 11pm show in Chicago for Oprah. Yes it was a nice one, but I really just came in to see what Ray was talking about.

sweet

[MMwallace02]

So funny. Id like to see how many views this had before Oprah aired, and then after:)!!

[Ndongamahwe]

Same reason I am checking. Let's see their combined power.

[Ndongamahwe]

Was that ending intentional, or he messed up?

[arturo60609]

thanks, Ray!!

[zgutin1]

And the next night Bill Buckner let a ground ball through his legs for one of the most notorious professional sports blunders in history

[juanerloks]

he missed the best part of the anthem at the end. smokey robinson is wack. Marvin gayes is WAY better...

[snofie83]

TiVo'd Oprah today! Just now getting a chance to watch! Thanks RAY! LOL! Beautiful rendition from Mr. Robinson!

[enthatrd]

Here on Ray's recommendation too :)

[neesh414]

are all 14,566 views from ppl that watched Oprah?? lol, or just 12,566, Ray prob has at least 2,000 of those

[LPhils]

Absolutely... Never knew until Ray on oprah... LoLL&L!!!

[sodapopgurl1071]

Lol. I guess everyone is here for the same reason i am. Ray on oprah! haha! =]

[LisaGayePhoebe]

Yep, saw him on Oprah today. LOL, never would have seen it if Ray hadn't said that!!

[mariloucastro]

the best indeed...thanks ray romano...

and to oprah...18 more months...

and i'm sure all of us here will be missing her...

[Loha]

I'm here because of Ray on Oprah today, too. Really nice version.

[ammadkool]

me too!

[tpguess]

Great rendition... thanks Ray...

[Kukumamma]

/Yes, I guess we did watch Oprah.love smokey singing anyway great song.love Oprah too!

[DrBlood4]

Why are so many surprised by the soulful sound of Smokey. He has been the best since the early 60's. Bob Dylan called Smokey the Poet Laureate of America!Ray gets it - a real patriot. If this does it for you try God Bless America by Kate Smith.

[iloveme316]

wow guess we all watched oprah...

[erkalee1]

i can't believe I listenen to this after Ray was on Oprah......WOW!!

[jetttskiman]

Ray knows his National Anthem's. his new show is going to be great. He should do a reality show with the family. I bet it would be funny as hell.

[SystemSpecs]

Ray Romano was right!

[BoogaWitDaSuga]

Glad to see I'm not the only one watching this only because Ray Ramano talked about this on Oprah : )) THis video isn't making me cry but I did a lil when Oprah made her big announcement : (

[Patriciakew]

Where is oprah going?

[Patriciakew]

Ray Romano, This was great. Thanks and looking forward to seeing your new show on Monday night at 10 :>)

[uhkwtflol]

1:14 gorgeous.

The singing.

[jmccloud9]

Ray wasn't joking!! This is really nice.

[SeattleWebGirl]

Aww, my heart feels so big after having watched this. Like Ray, it feels good to make yourself cry.

[jettlag]

Guess I came to the right clip. Thanks for the tip, Ray, it is beautiful! (We'll miss you too, O.)

[amsilver25]

i just watched this because ray ramano was said this is his favorite version of the national anthem. definitely one of my favorites now as well.

[battlestar68]

Hello from canada..hello oprah.lol

[WhatAboutPugsley]

ha ha; now we know what we're doing at 4:45. Oprah watchers unit. ;O)

[sistah59]

Love you Ray Ramono ..Oprah we don't want you to leave but we do understand.. your going to be missed big time!!! Lori from Canada

[nursekelly73]

Love it!!! Thanks Ray:)

[OutaOuts]

saw oprah too

[lydnbrad]

oprah for me too :)

[uhkwtflol]

lol @ Oprah. I feel so not manly anymore xD

[matthewvee32]

me 3

[crazyactor06]

watchin Oprah too, lol.....

[webfanatic2006]

me too.

[shilohpeace]

I cried. It is beautiful! So beautiful!! so moving. God bless our men and women serving our country. We all owe everything to them and we should do everything we can to thank them. God bless America! God bless the angelic voice God gave to Smokey Robinson and God Bless Ray Ramono whose show gave me a sense of family for years!!!! Everybody Loves Raymond was absolutely the best show ever and they should bring it back in some form!!! I could only wish.

[88Flashback]

Thanks Ray, Oprah and of course Smokey.......after that anthem, I don't think I'd care who won the game!

[janetcoverdale]

Ray, look up the Cactus Cuties singing the national anthem on Youtube. I bet you'll cry. BTW I loved Everybody Loves Raymond. I've been thinking of the Thanksgiving episode scene when Deborah puts the turkey in the oven. One of the funniest things I ever saw!

[thaberland]

We all love you spnt many hours laughing at your shows thankyou.

[idiotbox000]

ok but O is making me tear.....

[lalachelles]

Haha hi Oprah and Ray! =)

[idiotbox000]

haha... watchin' Oprah too , sorry love Ray and smokey the national anthem doesn't make me cry

[qtnhonest2]

BEAUTIFUL!...

Thank you to those who serve our country, my prayers are with you

[MichelleCa4u2]

i never watch oprah but just happened to today .. nice video thanks ray .. even though i never seen that show u were on .. friends or something?

[woah455]

@MichelleCa4u2 Everybody loves Raymond

[woah455]

Go Ray Romano! =D haha it's funny how someone says go on youtube look something up and everyone does it =D

Ray Romano actually filmed one of his scenes for "A Man of Certain Age" at the school where my mom works. Awesome! :)

[marcolopolis55]

Another Oprah watcher here.

[gmaclaren]

Wow! Thanks, Ray, Thanks Oprah. Nice version of our wonderful anthem. Aren't we lucky?

[bellykisser]

It made me cry too. Thanks Ray!

[8205jordie]

WOW - you're right Ray, it's a great one...

[mommabear0312]

Ray was right. Its amazing how many people came to watch it. lol. crazy!!

[rubbaloid]

"And crowned thy good with brotherhood" .. What a powerful performance, so moving. Thank you Ray Romano and daughter for the rave review, would have never found it otherwise. Oprah, we love you!

[ntochrist]

Great!!!!!

[parkswing]

Hi Ray! I don't know if it's all the golf or what but you look better than ever! I like the touch of grey and longer hair:)

[pynekone]

Am I the only one who noticed that two songs were mixed here? That is not the correct ending...but it still was a nice rendition. I will miss your show Oprah. Thanks for recommending this, Ray!

[2lowforzero]

Jeez , Thank you Ray. I had no idea this version of the national anthem exist. And Thank you Oprah!! The Oprah effect is alway good and positive.

[littleexpressions]

I like it

[atir4me]

Ray -you were right! - I hope Oprah gets a chance to view this!

[skothaz]

Yea Ray That was a great one!

[Adaeze611]

Oprah sure does have an effect. What will we do without her?. Hah ha

[luisgonzalez58]

Thanks, Ray Romano and Oprah.

[123djhend]

wow one mention from ray romano and people go crazy with the comments...

[2lowforzero]

Oprah is awesome!!!!!

[Jylissia]

Ray and Oprah!!  Smokey <3333333

[bish715]

That was beautiful and in Boston. Wow. Thanks Oprah and Ray. You are amazing people.

[Klababy19]

The Oprah effect at work i see =]

[LINKLaV]

Thanks Oprah and Ray.

[ToledoWingNut]

Apparently, only 18 months to go for The Oprah Effect. But, actually, I can't see her disappearing - her voice will continue to be heard.

[ayahsoo]

yup, jerked a tear.

Now make the island of Jamaica your next vacation .

We love American and Americans!

God Bless America.

[SandyCuse]

Long live Oprah...and long live Smokey! God Bless America!!!  Peace and love..

[colocarolina]

Yea, I saw Oprah too!!!