Aretha Franklin MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE Inauguration Day 2009

Singing live minutes before President Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States 01/20/09.

Martin Luther King Jr. quoted this song during his "I Have A Dream" speech.

The lyrics were written by Samuel Francis Smith. The melody was derived from the British national anthem, God Save the King or Queen.

• Category

  Music

[Bethany Ellis]

If Kelly is asked to sing this 40 years from today, she would not sound as good as she did today. She is presently in her vocal prime . Aretha is past her vocal prime but in her prime no one could touch her. Aretha has nothing to prove. She had one of the greatest voices of all times.

[David Mourning]

Aretha is flawless, haters gonna hate. Kelly did amazing as well. Theres enough love for both imo.

[SpeedyNeutrino43]

My god..what screaming, yelling and screeching...this crap makes my ears bleed.

[Murray White]

The problem isn't to do with either Clarksons or Franklins voice, there is no doubt Franklin was amazing. It's the version of the song Franklin was given to sing, i mean oh god it's absolutely fucking horrendous, honestly.

[Bryan Buer]

Kelly sang "My Country, 'Tis of Thee". This sounds like a big mess

[johnalexander06]

We only get one star in a lifetime saying is we got more & i'm glad the lord gave us Aretha & her god-daughter Whitney

[1416Superwoman]

Where was I in 2009?

[MrFalsettoVoice]

lol

[ucofresh]

She started out nice but it went to shi* when she decided to add all those runs and crap. Certain songs need to be sung traditionally . This is definitely one of them.. Same for the star spangled banner. I hate when singers add that runs bullshit. Sounds awful. Kelly Clarkson's rendition of this on Obama's 2013 inauguration was beautiful. She didnt ruin it with all that crap certain singers do nowadays.

[themousecat]

why are we comparing a 20 something pop star to a 70+ something classic? Let the young lady have her moment and appreciate the voice of the elder? they are not even in the same category...

[jbrian80]

A false pretense of promoting racial equality. A political correct fascist accusing me of being a racist, how low. Go back masturbating on Xena ok?