Is it just me? I really can’t stand the singing of “God Bless America” during the 7th inning of major league baseball games. Does anyone actually like this song? Isn’t “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” a much more appropriate jingle? I realize this gesture started in the aftermath of 9/11 and for some reason it still seems oddly appropriate if done at Yankees games, particularly Yankee playoff games...but since there do not seem to be anymore Yankee playoff games in the offing, this “tradition” has spread to places not directly affected by the attacks. I say we should put a stop to it, now.
The song itself is a behemoth, made famous in some way by the bombastic Kate Smith in a generation far, far away. If we are going to demonstrate passive patriotism via a ritual song, then I’d suggest “America the Beautiful”, though I’d far rather listen to Ray Charles sing it than a throng of beer soaked fans-- Ray Charles made it his own, and in so doing, showed that even songs we have heard hundreds of times could be made new again. JImi Hendrix did the same thing with the “Star Spangled Banner” but for some reason, it never caught on with a certain segment of the population.
I think standing at the outset of an event, hats off, or a hand upon our heart is enough of a symbolic gesture to accompany our leisure activities. “The Star Spangled Banner” is a high risk endeavor. Not easy to sing. The risk of complete failure adds a certain zest to the proceedings...But, the 7th inning stretch should be a time to take stock of the circulation in our legs, perhaps grab one last pretzel, or simply sing along casually or gleefully to the best song ever written about our national pastime. Why clutter it up with a lapel pin moment?
The song itself is a behemoth, made famous in some way by the bombastic Kate Smith in a generation far, far away. If we are going to demonstrate passive patriotism via a ritual song, then I’d suggest “America the Beautiful”, though I’d far rather listen to Ray Charles sing it than a throng of beer soaked fans-- Ray Charles made it his own, and in so doing, showed that even songs we have heard hundreds of times could be made new again. JImi Hendrix did the same thing with the “Star Spangled Banner” but for some reason, it never caught on with a certain segment of the population.
I think standing at the outset of an event, hats off, or a hand upon our heart is enough of a symbolic gesture to accompany our leisure activities. “The Star Spangled Banner” is a high risk endeavor. Not easy to sing. The risk of complete failure adds a certain zest to the proceedings...But, the 7th inning stretch should be a time to take stock of the circulation in our legs, perhaps grab one last pretzel, or simply sing along casually or gleefully to the best song ever written about our national pastime. Why clutter it up with a lapel pin moment?
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