What So Proudly We Hailed at Beyoncé’s Lip Syncing . . .

220px-The_Star-Spangled_Banner_-_Project_Gutenberg_eText_21566220px-Beyonce_Knowles_with_necklacesRemember the moving rendition of the National Anthem by Beyoncé at the Inaugural? Not only does it now appear that she lip synced but it took a British newspaper to uncover the truth. The Times is reporting that the spokesperson for the Marine Corp Band Kristen DuBois confirmed that Beyoncé did a Milli Vanilli with the National Anthem.

The Marine Corp Band said that it was standard procedure to record a backing track but Beyoncé decided shortly before her performance to rely on the studio version. Even the band then faked the performance to complete the false image.

Frankly, I have a serious problem with that decision particularly when all of the other artists gave live performances. This is an historic event that demands authenticity. We were not showing up to see Beyoncé. We were sharing a common experience celebrating the transition of power in a democracy. It was a shared and live experience. Instead, we got Beyoncé lip synching. Rather than producing a symbolic moment of shared patriotism, it now supplies a symbolic moment of celebrity self-indulgence or, worse yet, how much of our government presents a false image to the public. It suggests that it is not the substance but the appearance that is offered the public. I suppose we should be grateful that she did not decide to upgrade to a tape of Kate Smith.

I am not sure why she was given the choice since I assume the back up is needed for emergencies. The Marine Corp should have refused and the person responsible for going along with the lip synching should face some serious questions of judgment. This is a rare honor for any artist and I consider Beyoncé’s decision to be quite insulting. What do you think?

Source: The Times

72 thoughts on “What So Proudly We Hailed at Beyoncé’s Lip Syncing . . .”

  1. Seriously, who gives a rat’s behind????!! Prof. Turley, aren’t there more important things to discuss this week??
    Magginkat, are you kidding me?? James Taylor still is the best!

  2. The problem with recordings now is the auto tune function. they can ‘fix’ any missed note on the computer.
    No need to strive or develop with this modern recording technology. that is why I like to see and hear live performances- no damn auto tune!

  3. BarkinD, here, practice:

    Beyonce Bonce Bo Bonce
    Banana Fana Fo Fance
    Mee My Mo Mance, Beyonce.

  4. frankmascagniiii:

    Come on now, Frank. Here’s the real American National Anthem Philly-style:

  5. Maybe this got lost in the dog translation. But what does the sink have to do with this story? Was she standing on the lip of a kitchen sink when she sang the song?
    And another thing. What is it about her name here? Is it Be Younce? Is Beyonce a first name or last name or a dog name given to a human?

  6. Too bad Adele isn’t friends of the FLOTUS like Beyonce. There would have been no horseshit lip synching and that girl can sing!!

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