I hope the Smithsonian acquires Aretha Franklin’s beautiful “big bow” hat she wore at President Obama’s inauguration to display for future generations.
Put it with Lincoln’s stove-pipe hat or Louie Armstrong’s trumpet, but get it and keep it. It will forever be associated with Aretha’s breathtaking rendition of “My Country ’Tis of Thee” at this historic moment.
Ken Kelly
Mission
Wow, to have a . . . thimble full of Aretha's talent! This empty-headed criticism is hard to take. Aretha was fabulous, breath-taking.
Posted by: Ken Belly | January 26, 2009 at 07:58 PM
I listened to the inauguration live at work, then went home to catch it on youtube. When the video started, it showed a side view of Aretha and I was wondering why I didn't hear about someone charging the stage in a big bunny suit...
Posted by: JUNGLE JACK | January 26, 2009 at 05:29 PM
My husband's brother-in-law phoned yesterday to tell me a BBC newscaster announced that Aretha Franklin was about to perform "the American national anthem". Oops.
Posted by: TinaMcG | January 26, 2009 at 12:58 PM
"I was a little uncomfortable, actually. She paused a bit too long on that first syllable."
You noticed that? So did I. Kind of a cringeworthy moment, wasn't it? Jon Stewart noticed it too. Aretha made The Daily Show that evening.
Posted by: TinaMcG | January 26, 2009 at 12:52 PM
NO FEW-CHA
NO FEW-CHA
NOOOO FEW-CHA
BAABBBEEEEEE
Posted by: Pub 17 | January 26, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Aretha covered the Sex Pistols "God Save the Queen"? I sure am sorry I missed that!
Posted by: Casady | January 26, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Jim,
Great post
Posted by: solomon | January 26, 2009 at 09:59 AM
I was a little uncomfortable, actually. She paused a bit too long on that first syllable.
Posted by: Jim | January 26, 2009 at 09:45 AM
Wait a minute . . . Aretha sang? Who could hear her voice over that loud hat?
Posted by: Kate | January 26, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Umm, I wouldn't exactly call it a breakthrough rendition. In fact, my British husband paused the broadcast at one point and asked why she was singing "God Save the Queen".
It was cold. She did as well as could be expected in that weather and in her condition. I wouldn't go overboard about her performance or her hat, which kind of reminded me of something the Queen would wear. Or Camilla.
I did love the military choir's version of the Star Spangled Banner, though. It was perfect, not embellished with pop-star warbling, and was performed in its purest and most beautiful form. Frankly, I'm sick of hearing it shrieked at sporting events. This was a nice change.
Posted by: TinaMcG | January 26, 2009 at 09:04 AM