January 23rd, 2012
10:31 AM ET
Steven Tyler's national anthem performance draws criticsThe national anthem has become one of the trickiest performances for even an experienced pro to belt out, as proved by Steven Tyler's latest effort. The Aerosmith frontman tackled "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Sunday's AFC Championship football game, but not everyone was impressed.
Some were as harsh as former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell, with ESPN commentator Skip Bayless tweeting, "How could Patriots be inspired by that awful [a]nthem sung by Steven Tyler? At least give him some screaming guitars to camouflage voice." The Bleacher Report warned Tyler, who now sits on "Idol's" judging panel, that if he were to ever turn in that performance on the Fox competition show, he wouldn't be earning a golden ticket. "He tried to add his trademark scream to give it some pizzazz and signature feel, but it was too late," the Bleacher Report recaps. "This will go down as one of those horrible celebrity renditions of the national anthem." Deadspin, meanwhile, is trying to figure out if Tyler's performance would win in a "worst national anthem performance of all time" competition, while Gawker has tried to let him down easy. "Steven definitely deserves an A+ for effort," the site says, "but maybe his singing voice just shouldn't leave the station again anytime soon." Check out the clip above: Was his performance classic Steven Tyler, or should he stay away from attempting the national anthem in the future?
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Besides, Jimi Hendrix retired the jersey on that song a long time ago...
I liked it
Not only did he butcher the song, he dressed like an idiot. Totally disrespectful...
Really. He's Steven Tyler. The Patriots and the network knew it would be a Tyler-esque version of the National Anthem. If Bob Dylan sang the National Anthem, would you complain you couldn't understand the lyrics...? No! Because, he's Bob Dylan! Tyler was respectful while delivering the Anthem in a manner in which he knows how to perform.
the song was fine, geezus.
social and economic equality, however, is not.
let's work it out.
Based on the CNN article I expected MUCH, MUCH worse. I listened to it, it was really good. Their is simply too much hate in this world.
I don't think there was anything wrong with the way he sung it. He was in pitch and didn't sound bad and even was able to add in his signature scream. Why does everyone make such a big deal over nothing?
I think this man is just so ugly!
I would hate to acknowledge him as my father.
what is your criteria for a person to be deemed "ugly"? Anna, you should let us see a picture of you ! Bet it'd be like the pot calling the kettle black.
His rendition was ok for this type of sport. Otherwise – he sucked!~
He should never sing a capella.
Professional singer or not...NO ONE singing the anthem should be criticized by anyone for the sound of their voice. It is what it is, and as long as the anthem is sung from the heart, and heard with the heart, then it was a job well done.
I thought Stevens rendition was great. I loved his trademark screams? near the end.
Watch the broadcast again. Notice how many fans are singing along with Steven by the end of the song.
They wouldn't have been singing along if they hadn't like it.
Contrast that with how many were singing along with Kristin Chenoweth in San Francisco. They were cheering near the end. But they weren't singing.
LOVED IT! he was who he is and that is a rocker. he sounded good! I was thinking it was going to be bad and it wasn't, why are people so negative?
You ask Steven Tyler to sing the National Anthem, you get Steven Tyler singing the National Anthem. It sounded just like everything else Steven Tyler ever sang. The scarf was awesome though!
Let's see – he was off key at least part of the time and missed a few words, but for him, not too bad. It's a shame that
Brad Delp isn't around any more. If they wanted a rock singer from the Boston area to sing the national anthem, Brad would have sounded a HECK of a lot better. BTW, who was the girl who sang the national anthem at the San Fran-Giants game? SHE could actually sing!
@ Marko..Is this "Marko" Hudson, Steven Tyler's "best" friend? Also, I would pick an Opera singer ANY day over a sixty year old has been, that has burnt his heart and voice out on hard living. Mr. Domingo has more talent in one pinky than Steven could WISH to have for one second. Plus, Domingo acts his age. What is up with all these old men who dress in drag? feathers, different colored beards, poorly matched clothes. You are not young anymore...give it up....No amount of face lifts, money, clothes, will bring back your youth or happiness.
Well, i read below and it's all been said. He can't sing, never could. He is a screaming man that used to look like a girl and now looks like an old woman. This seems to suit America's taste for entertainment.
Our "Entertainment" industry at it's best. Portraying crap to the world. Thanks for the public image. Now you want World Wide Web censorship to protect your "copyrights for crap". Boycott the industry, now and forever. They have demanded too much.
Tyler sang the song straight. It was in key. He did not add any "style" to it. It was fine. The crowd loved it. Christinia Aguilera ruined the song last year by singing it like she was in heat.
He was fine. It was what you would expect from this type of singer. He's not an opera singer. You would expect something a little rough around the edges, hard rock sounding. There have been plenty that were truly awful trying to sing the national anthem. This is not it.
He sucked. the only thing I enjoyed about it was the thousands that sang along with him. You don't see that very often.
I would rather hear Steven Tyler give this hard song his very best than hear "good" singers that you just know are going to do a fabulous job of it and end up making you cringe when you hear them trying to change it up and show off their skills. There are very few national anthem performances that I think are really straight forward good, so I go by whether they were trying to sing the song to the best of their ability on a difficult stage or use it as a way of showing off and making me feel embarassed (sp) for them at the end. Mr. Tyler ain't no George Clooney to look at, but he did really o.k. and gave it all he had for us and acted respectful. I did not expect Pavarati.
I think it was pretty good! Dunno why people got a problem with it.
it was total aerosmith style, i did not feel it was bad. I like him he strikes me as a very cool guy....however, he needs to freshen up his highlights and he needs to fix those roots!
How was he supposed to sound? If they did not want Steven Tyler's rendition perhaps they should not have invited Steven Tyler.
What do people expect from a rock singer in his 60's??? This is exactly what you shoudl expect...I am glad they changed it up with Tyler..sick of a 2 min song becoming 5 minutes of drawn out whining
That is the MOST difficult song to sing live. You have to practice and even then, it doesn't always come out properly. I've only heard one person sing it consistently well, and he's an Irish opera singer. Cut the man a break. And stop applauding before "Land of the Free" would you? you're supposed to applaud after that, for being able to hit the note on "Free" or to at least try.
Being an old geezer from the sixties I never was his fan but frankly I was expecting something a lot worse. This sounds O.K by today's musical standards. It takes a beautiful exquisite voice to sing such noble words and I propose either Celine Dionne or Barbara Streisand to do them right every time.
I cannot believe this was even viewed as controversial. He got almost all the words right, and sang like he normally sings. If you don't like his voice, that is one thing .... but this is a complete non-story!
I'm just glad he didn't start doing his lame scatting schtick!
He did what Steven Tyler does, good for him!
And, he was RESPECTFUL, I had the impression he was trying to do a good job. So you cannot compare him with Roseanne Barr at all. It's not the same thing.
His voice is his voice...you didnt expect him to sound like Harry Connick jr did you? He didnt make a mokery of the Banner like others have in the past, (remember roseanne barr?) and he got the words right. I thought it was fine.
I don't know what all the fuss is about. He hit the notes!! From what everybody was complaining about, I thought he hadn't even managed to do THAT. But it was in tune. He's a ROCKER, what do you expect???
I AGREE! I was ready to get angry because of the hype..and it just wasnt that bad.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AaFFLIjagE&w=640&h=360]
He is what he is and what else were people expecting? From the headlines I thought it was screeching but it wasn't at all-others have flubbed the words too.
i thought he sounded fantastic!! he sang it with emotion.. pride.. and if you look at it again, you can see his breath, it was cold out. i cant imagine it would be easy to sing with cold vocal chords. and im also Canadian!!
Ive heard way worse national anthems. There wasnt any crouch grabbing going on (Roseanne!!!!!) He sang it the way it was written. He didnt try to make into a rap song, didnt add a country twang. I myself have sang accapella,outside. Its not as easy as you may think. So anyone that needs to ridicule the man can bite the man !!!!!
GREAT JOB!!! Best ive heard it sang in years! If you want country you hire a country singer, if you want pop you hire a pop star, if you want rock you hire a rock star. This rock star nailed it!
Who cares really? It's just a song. If this is really a concern of yours then you have priority problems.
The Star Spangled Banner is a technically difficult song to sing for many people. After hearing all the brouhaha about Steve Tyler's rendition, I didn't know what to expect. After hearing it, I don't think it was bad. His "howl" was a bit "spirited" – but that was Steve Tyler. I don't think he was that bad.
I wish Michael Jackson was still here to sing!!!
I think that everyone should really mind there own business when it comes to how Steven Tyler sang that song.
Really people get a life!!!
HE ROCKED!
This was an absolute embarrasment to the nation. He should never be aloud to perform in public again. Send this fool to Pluto where he belongs.
I'm amazed at a lot of the comments on here....some are just plain dumb. First, it's Steven Tyler. Anyone expecting this to sound, or look, any different needs to rethink their expectations going forward. I personally didn't think it was the best rendition of the Star Spangled Banner I've ever heard, but it was by far from the worst ever seen.
And to the whole thread of nastiness toward Canada's anthem and about them in particular...all I can say is "Canada, please excuse those Americans who can't hold themselves with dignity or enough intelligence to express a suitable statement. Trust us, there's a whole lot of us who don't like that part of our society, either." Some of you guys are just downright rude; this was just a forum asking your opinion of Tyler's performance, yet you took it as an opportunity to attack an entire country. One doesn't have to wonder too diligently to figure out what part of the problem there is..........
FOX did the anthem on the cheap for pub.
FOX paid NFL and Steve(FOX) to sing the anthem to pub American Idol (FOX). Yeah Steve was terrible he is a rocker not a singer. If he had a guitar backing him it may have been better. MAYBE...
AC-what channel were you watching? You must have satellite. I have basic cable and saw the game on CBS!!
You can't please everyone. I watched the clip. It was Steven Tyler singing in his style. He's not Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Sinatra or anyone else. Stephen Tyler, in Steven Tyler style. Yes, he's getting older and his voice is not the same and some don't like his voice or music. But he's a LEGEND! At least he DID remember the words (can I say Christina??) and he WAS on key (Ooops! My bad Rosanne!) It's a difficult song to sing as it is, in front of thousands in an arena then millions on TV, LIVE, with the echo of the mic, much less remember all the lyrics. Give the man a break! Ya'll keep your fingers crossed for Kelly Clarkson at the Super Bowl!! Of course, someone will complain about that one too! But as always, there are bigger and more important issues to worry and complain about.
He could have dropped it down an octive.
Hey I am a fan of the 50's/60's era and I think he did an ok job.
The highs are hard to hit on the Anthem.
Could have been worse it could have been ROSEANNE!!!
Who wants to remember the Aerosmith version at the INDY 500? To think, they bumbed Florence Henderson.
I LOVED his version. Hardly anyone ever gets all the words and yes, in my own home, I too sang along.
I think the only version (that does not exist that I know of) would be if Robert Plant sang it. GREAT job,
ST
Steven Tyler doesn't sing that well? Seriously? With all of the resources at CNN's disposal, news like THIS is covered, but the half a MILLION March for Life activists who descended on DC today were largely ignored? Where is the REAL news reporting? "Media Malpractice at March for Life" – Search for it on you tube, and hold yourself to a higher reporting standard, CNN.
Considering it's being reported under the "Entertainment" section, it fits a hell of a lot better here than the criticism of a right-to-lifer.
I didnt watch it but really could it have been any worse than the singers with the nice voices that get up there and make the song 3 times longer than it needs to be by adding gospel like run-ons and other non sense. (Got no problem with gospel mind you) I am a god fearing gospel loving black woman but some songs are better left alone. A beautiful voice and the right spirit right before a game is enough to get the point across. P.S. Steven Tyler sings one song that I absolutely love and does a pretty decent job. So I guess it depends...
Get a life. You're on here trolling all the time loser.
*hugs*
Also which ? do you mean?
If you want bubble gum, call Justin Beiber. If you want rock and roll, call Steven Tyler. Those who think Tyler can't sing, are simpleminded shallow and jealous people who probably sing along to Aerosmith tunes and don't even know it.
I remember a few years ago, some boy band sang the anthem. They inserted a "girl' into the lyrics. "And the rockets red glare, girl"
That was inapropriate.
Steven Tyler's version was just fine.
There was nothing wrong with it.
Get over yourself.
Loved it!!! Way to go Steve!! Rock on!!
Steven Tyler has never pretended to be anybody that he isn't. So when you hire him.. what you see is what you get.
Did anyone else hear, "This isn't a phase, mom! This is who I am!" when they saw his hair.
I thought it was absolutly terrible...
Check out the Roseanne Barr version in 1990, here:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgmzXrwkjnY&w=640&h=360]
You'll have a newfound respect for Steven Tyler's!
Terry and Sharon have it correct, above. I just watched Tyler's rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, and it was nowhere near as bad as it has been alleged by the critics over the past 24 hours. For a truly AWFUL rendition, go back and look at Roseanne Barr's version. If the NFL is looking for a safe bet version of the SSB, Steven Tyler should not have been chosen - go for Tony Bennett, instead.
EXACTLY!!! WHAT THE HE$$ IS WRONG WITH THESE DUMB A$$ CRITICS....IT WAS FANTASTIC!!! WHY DO WE HAVE SUCH A FUDDY DUDDY SOCIETY....HE WAS HAVING FUN WITH IT, AS MANY OF US WERE WATCHING, START TO HAVE SOME FUN IN YOUR LIVES SOME OF YOU DULL NO FUN BORISH PEOPLE... I WAS BORN 10/24/1957.(LOOK AT THE AGE OF SOME OF THESE CRITICS IN SOME COLUMNS) AROUND MY AGE.
Whoever said he had a great voice for that kind of singing to begin with? Give the guy a break. He's up there because he's the frontman for a band that hit it big in the 70's, and then again in the 80's because Run DMC hit it big sampling one of their songs. It's our non-music-educated society that made Steven Tyler to be a better singer than he actually is.
Really Bad. One of the worst performances I have ever heard. I have always enjoyed Steven on American Idol but, I guess I am not a totally devoted fan as some must be to say they think it was good.
I happen to think Steven Tyler did a great job singing our National Anthem yesterday. The song is hard for anyone to sing and he stayed on key and hit the high notes a lot better than most. If people were expecting an operatic performance, they should have made arrangements for someone else to sing. Steven Tyler represents himself as he is, American Rock-N-Roll. I think that's a perfect match with American football.
Some are being critical of Steven Tyler's rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Tyler sang it just the way his fans would have expected him to. He sang it in the style that made him famous and that has given his career life for the past 42 years. I might add Tyler did remember all of the words. If you don't like the style of the singing artist that is set to perform the Star Spangled Banner I suggest you not tune into the game until the performance is over. If the artist is not your cup of tea you're going to find a complaint with the taste.
Sounded awesome and in typical Steven style..scream on hot stuff..you can sing it to me anytime!!
I love Steven Tyler, but after listening to Aerosmith at their horrible Super Bowl performance a few years ago, I was expecting this to be truly cringe-worthy! To say I was pleasantly suprised would be an understatement. I think Steven rocked it! I kind of enjoy listening to the various renditions of our national anthem before sporting events. Who's been chosen to sing and how it's sung and interpreted is always a revelation... sometimes good and sometimes bad. I'm willing to take both. For Boston, for New England and for the Patriots, Steven Tyler's a capella rendition is as good as it gets! Whitney's rendition might be the gold standard because she went up that octave at the end – but in my book, Steven Tyler's version isn't far behind! And FWIW, I liked Kristen Chenowith's version, too. Nice, classy, and appropriate for the moment... just like Steven Tyler! There's room for all tastes, people...
Worse than Rosanne's performance!
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVdV4X2M2AI&w=640&h=360]
hes an, idk, and a, loser. thanks.
Tyler was just being himself. To those folks who run arenas where these huge events are usually held: if you want a traditional, respectful rendition of the national anthem, don't hire a screamer in the first place. To Steven Tyler and others of that ilk: when asked to perform the national anthem, politely decline.
What's funny is the look on some of the faces in the crowd. I feel their pain.
R u people serious? I love steven tyler but he butchered the national anthem. He got the words wrong. I actually felt sorry for him yesterday that he embarrassed himself so badly.
Wow, whoever wrote this article is really biased against Steven Tyler. After reading the article I dreaded listening to the video, but did it anyway, and was pleasantly surprised that it was great! Steven made all the notes and he sounded fantastic. Those who criticise are only really looking to find fault. He's a rock singer and he sang it in that vein. So people get off your high horses, and those who haven't listened to it yet, listen with an open mind. He did justice to the song.
He was fine. Why all the fuss?
Dude ... get over it ... it's Steven Tyler! Rock at its finest. He is the voice of America!
Not a ST fan, but I don't see what all the fuss was about. I thought he did well.
It sounded like he was strangling a cat. But he has always sounded that way. He got muted on my TV.
They just played it on the radio again this morning, he should feel totally ashamed for spitting that out. Sure glad I didn't pay to see that.
This guy screws up the songs he and his band have written. Why is it such a surprise that he messed up our anthem? His mind must be blown from all the partying. Anyone ever think about asking these celebs/clowns if they know the words to the anthem BEFORE they're asked to perform it in front of the world? What an embarrassment. Whoever's idea it was to book anyone without knowing if they knew the lyrics to the anthem should be fired! That's like a hospital hiring a doctor without knowing if he'd ever been to med school. "Well, he did pass health class.". Didn't anyone at sound check go, " Hey man, what song are you singing?".
wow..thought it was going to be awful..but he did a really nice job....and I know music.
His "Walk This Way" recently with Carrie Underwood is still on my tv recorder...Loved it!!
Nice Job Steven
It’s pure Stephen Tyler. A little more scream on the high notes would have even been better. He remembered all the words! Should be a classic, like Hendricks.
II really don’t see what the problem is; I heard 2 notes at the beginning that were a little flat but otherwise he was on key the entire song. Nothing to apologize for in my book!
How ab you Rallygirl?
You probably think you're cooler than Steven Tyler huh?
Actually I think his performance was good, hit all the notes, was respectful and disciplined.
Probably who wrote this article doesn't like Aerosmith and all the critics sound like coming from a personal point of view.
Or maybe CNN needs article to cover their web news space. I was expecting something horrible but honestly what I watched was totally fine.
He dresses like Captain Jack Sparrow after a Chico's shopping spree!
It was Steven Tyler singing the national anthem. What the hell did you expect, Pavarotti? It was a local celeb and it was great, we like Aerosmith 'round here. Good job Steven.
What's wrong with his performance??
I t wasn't so bad. We've heard worse and better. His voice was just a little off rather than some exotic rendition. This just got Tylerized a small bit.
Luckily I didn't watch. Went to bathroom and was hoping game would soon start. I would not want to watch a performer that had lowered themselves to be involved with nonsense TV like "Idol". Also he is so god awful ugly and repulsive it would be difficult to munch any snacks probably till halftime.
There are some very accomplished vocalists who will not touch this song due to its wide octave range and difficulty. They asked for Steve Tyler, and that's what they got. Sounded just like himself....imagine that.
I heard him hit all the notes, unlike most of the divas they put out there for the Anthem. Great job. It rocked.
I think what we have here is an old dude, who looks likes a lady, attempting his best to sing our national anthem. Obviously, from his performance this tune was a tad bit out of the old dude's (who looks like a lady) vocal range. Now as to whether the old dude, who probably derives as much entertainment appeal in certain quarters by dressing up as a lady as any attribute, has any real singing ability or not should not be a reason to deride his character. If one is upset that our national anthem was not sung by someone who might be expected to perform it with more technical proficiency – don't blame it on the performer. Unfortunately, even in selecting who will sing our national anthem at major sporting events – the cult of personality and entertainment ratings will often over-rule common sense.
Poor Steven I guess he doesn't know that he can't now and NEVER could sing. As a rock person all he did was scream and squeal like a pig 😉
**JUST A TERRIBLE PERFORMANCE**
U crazy?
You rock Steven Tyler!!!
Steven Tyler sang the National Anthem like Steven Tyler. I expected no more/no less.
And......I see more comments here that were good with his performance. I think CNN is trying to start something. Anyway he has the X factor and even though the girl that one the X Factor recently has a beautiful voice, she doesn't have that x factor and I don't think will be a big star. It is not just about the voice. Look at Springsteen, Bob Dillon, etc.
He's on American Idol, not Xfactor...
He must be crucified together with the person who asked/hired him. Their luck of respect to the American Anthem make others continue to sing the same way. Please bring back Whitney Houston!
Coulda been worse...he coulda sung "Love in an Elevator"–one of the worst, most painful-to-listen-to songs of all time!
IT'S FLIPPIN STEVEN TYLER! Of Aerosmith!? If you expected Joh Groban, you're a mo-ron. Stop whining.
Actually, i didn't think it was that bad. It's classic Steven Tyler, man. What's wrong with that?
OH PLEASE ! What were people expecting Miss America ?
Just watched the video of his performance (missed the beginning of the game yesterday). Based on some of the critics and posts, I was expecting something truly horrible. I will say, even given his Boston roots, he seemed an odd choice to me. But I was pleasantly surprised! Yes-He flubbed a couple of small words but not like he totally butchered it. (It can't be easy to sing that song in front of tens of millions of people-even if you're a famous musician!) Or embellished it with some crazy vibrato where it just doesn't belong. Best rendition I've ever heard? No. But worst ever? Not at all. I'm cool with it.
Agreed!
What is that bag lady shrieking about and why is she at a football game?
Seriously? What are you, 12? Or just ignorant? Steven Tyler is an icon. I'd love to see you go out there and sing the anthem! NOT........
Nothing wrong with his performance. No one ever said he could sing all that good. He is a performer. A rock singer. I knew it wasn't going to be like Faith Hill or Celene Dion. If the organizers wanted that, they should not have asked him to sing. He is a celebrity from the area and I thought it was cool and anyone inthe stands or at home who expected more are just stupid.
When I saw him take the field I was expecting a 15 minute guitar solo at some point in the performance. Sadly I was disappointed.
Come on....You hire Steven Tyler, you are going to get Steven Tyler, not Michael Buble.
Love Aerosmith. Really dislike it when folks do a poor job of our national anthem.
mushogorsky... really... Pitch perfect? You can not be serious. If you are, then you are ovbiouly tone deaf!!!! Over half the notes were so far off key it hardly sounded like the national anthem. There were some brief moments of classic Tyler brillance.
Hardly worthy of the kind of ire Roseanne Barr got (and deserved) for her rendition. He sang it the way he'd sing "Love in an Elevator." Some people are going to have a problem with that. Personally I find it preferably to some stuffy opera singer in a starched shirt bellowing out the lines with all the pomposity he can muster up.
Sounded fine to me.
I dont know what people are complaining about; its his voice.
If you want a beautiful fluffy sound you get a 20 year old girl, not a Senior citizen rock star.
Way to reach for the high notes Steven. I loved it.
I didn't think the performance was that bad – we've definitely heard worse. Yeah, I thought his voice was mediocre, and yeah I thought the scream was silly, but he did remember the words and he didn't get all crazy-improv like so many singers are wont to do. He also stayed in key soooo much better than a lot of singers.
Oh unclench everyone. The song speaks for itself and Tyler's rendition is just another in a long line of quirky but good versions. I loved it.
I don't especially appreciate Steven Tyler, can't say I have heard or would recognize any of his music, but really, it wasn't THAT bad, Lighten up people.
His rendition wasn't any worse than others I've heard. Let's face it - he got the words correct and I know he has respect for the song and the Country.
I'm a 75 year old woman and I enjoy Steven Tyler!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He sang exactly as he does. I didn't see any problem with. I've heard C&W singers screw it up MUCH WORSE.
He IS Aerosmith. What did you expect??? Hey, I like Aerosmith – listen to them regularly. I also love classical music, but how well do you think a leading soprano could sing "Walk This Way"? Take all types of music for what they are, and listen to what moves you.
I thoroughly enjoyed Tyler's performance. I thought that the so-called scream was entirely appropriate.
Great National Anthem performance by a rocker!
Still looking good, Steve.
have heard way worse...the acoustics of this place & the sound system doesnt do him any favors....are you seriously saying he can't sing dumbazzes!
total aeorsmith!
Maybe I'm just getting old (52), but that was one of the most heart felt renditions of our National Anthum I have heard in a long long time!! Great job Steven, from a 26 year Navy Vet.
It was a little sour. Not bad for the age of his voice. Aerosmith is the most overrated band in history since the Kings & Queens album however.
It's Tyler for cryin' out loud...good job Steven!
i saw it
he did an awesome job
if you dont like rock n roll
go back to europe – please
Steve Tyler did a much better job singing the National Anthem than I expected. He hit all the notes spot on, and he did a good job. Yes, his voice is raspy and harsh, but that's him and his style. Let all of you nay sayers try to do anything in front of 70000 people live and millions on TV – he should congratulated and not criticized – Jack
It was probably the most "American" version i've ever seen...They usually stick some idiot up there for looks. They end up screwing it all up cause they are so used to lip syncing everything...
What did I miss? I only heard Steven's trademark "scream", so why is everybody shocked by it? I thought, considering it's NOT Steven's type of music, he did a pretty good job. Yes, he screamed, but again, that's Steven! And....don't forget, it was FREEZING there, and that does have an impact on your vocals as soon as you open your mouth...it hurts! So lighten up, everybody! Sheesh.....(And this is coming from someone who initially didn't WANT Steven as a judge on Idol, and now I think he's pretty good. So it's not like I'm a HUGE Tyler fan... I'm not. But just sayin....give him a break!).
To begin with, it dragged. It was painfully slow. I wanted it to end. Then the 'land of the free' screech just didn't work. It's not 'Dude Looks Like a Lady', man.
I think was a pretty rendition. What's wrong with CNN using a headline that has no validity? Is Steven Tyler. He is a rocker. It sounded like a good rocker rendition.
Oh come on. It's Steven Tyler. They didn't know what they were gonna get? They were expecting a classic tenor? Are you kidding? The man remembered the words. The man hit his notes. It's a hard song for even the most flawless of voices, yet they hired him. He didn't pull any stunts, he didn't disrespect the flag or make a mockery of anything. He did fine and sang the song like Steven Tyler sings songs. Give. Me. A. Frakking. Break. People.
I suppose to traditionalists it may not have been the best rendition, but he gave his own interpretation, and it certainly wasn't out of taste, or character for his style of singing. I rather enjoyed it. Thanks........
Guy belongs in the RRHOF!! Oh, wait he is. That says all you need to know about the RRHOF. The woman that sang before the Giants game was fantatic!!
A crummy singer for a crummy song. Who cares?
He did the Indy 500 and another NASCAR race and they weren't that bad at all, the Indy was good except for the changed lyrics.. This one was very flat in the beginning and maybe he should have practiced more. I thought it could also be because of the cold, and he just really wasn't warned up.
He shouldn't have been selected for this song.....not that I don't like him. What about Tamyra Grey next time. I know it will be beautiful!
He makes a strong case for legislation to fine these folks when they butcher our national anthem in public.
I saw nothing wrong with that performance. Classic Steven Tyler!
Vintage Steven Tyler! Sung as expected he would sing it. What to you people want, Roseanne Barr?
Oh for heaven's sake. I've heard MUCH worse. Christina Aguilera comes to mind...and does anyone remember Rosanne Barr...hello?!? And another thing, IT'S STEPHEN TYLER. What did they expect?? Yeah, he could have done it without that little thing at the end, but at least he got the words right AND for 98% of the song he sang it straight. Want to hear some REALLY bad National Anthems? Go to YouTube and do a search on "Top 10 Bad National Anthems". Your ears will bleed. Besides, I didn't think it was that bad, MHO of course.
Most people that try to sing this song have a very hard time due to range of notation. His attempt was ok, he never had a balladeers voice, he is a rocker. If we were that interested in good renditions of our anthem we might consider a song that is more "singable" than the present one.
I thought it was fine except for the fact that he struggled to hit the high notes, but what did you expect from a man who's been screaming for 30+ years?
No kidding! They guy is what, 60 years old!
OMG with the country in the state it is in can you all think of something better to squack about than an obviously inspired version of the Star Spangled Banner...when Steven hit the word "Free" the hair stood up on the back of my neck...he meant it.
Works for me. Totally Tyler, nothing wrong with it at all. And you would NOT see Justin Beiber belting out the US National Anthem. He's Canadian..get used to it!
Good news.
Just a minor muff: "as" instead of "the" bombs bursting in air. Voice-wise? Well, that's always a personal preference whether it is liked or not liked.
Steven has a Rock In Roll voice and for some songs he is not suited well. He did a great job and left in his Aerosmith sound!!! He rocks!!
Ummmm I just watched it and it sounded like Steven Tyler singing the anthem. I guess I'm confused here. Didn't people think he was going to sing it like Frank Sinatra or something?
It would have been better if he could sing and wasn't so ugly.
Worst performance ever? That's a laugh. So what if he put more of a rock voice to it. He hit all the notes easily and was in key. More than could be said for alot of them doing it. What about that lame stuffy pompous chick doing the anthem in front of the 49ers/Giants game? That was horrid with absolutely no soul. Or Rosanne Barr a few years back? Ugh. Sometimes I think people just have such a boring life they have to complain about any and everything, otherwise they'd off themselves from boredom. Let them try singing in front of 50 people... let alone 80,000.
I I completely agree. The chick was waaaay worse than Mr. Tyler. People need to get a life and stop worrying about how well someone can sing. This is the problem with REALITY television – it gives people the disillusion that they have the right to criticize everything they see or hear. What happened to just sitting back and enjoying television?
Not a big Steven Tyler fan but I didn't think it was a bad effort. The worst? No way.
His voice has always been bad, and so has his band.
Bring back the Boob accidents!
You can't complain about this!!! If you have ever listened to Steven Tyler sing, you know what to expect. There is no reason for him to change his singing style just to suit all the haters. LOVED IT!!!
the well was not right in it's placement... but judging from croud reaction, the majority of the criticism comes from those who wish they had the tallent could pull in mony like him. his voice may not be what it once was, but he has been at it for how many decades? and DEADSPIN appearantly does not have a very good memory... it must be being run by children who have no recolection past the last couple years if they think that was remorely close to worst ever... I have two words for them. "Rosanne Barr" (lambert above has it right... that was likely the worst performance ever... nearly the entire crowd was booing.)
but celebrity critics get thier money and fame by putting down others regardless of thier own tallent or lack there of.
I thought he did an awesome job. Of course, his voice is flat in some parts but that song was not designed for a rocker to sing. Look people, in America we have many music genres which is an awesome thing. Tyler put a rock spin on the national anthem and he did it tastefully and did a great job at it. His voice isn't what it used to be so holding a note can come out flat in some areas. However, just because he put a rocker spin on the anthem doesn't mean you have to degrade him for it. He didn't forget the lyrics. He put the emphasis where it need to be put. Sorry, but this was a great performance. If you didn't like it, that's fine, it's just not your type of music and we are free to like whatever music we want. But to say he did a bad job just shows you only agree with your type of music and are close-minded to other types of styles. Doing a bad job means forgetting words, not emphasizing the right parts, doing bad expressions, etc. Doing a bad job does not mean criticizing someone for using their own style.
What is all this about Steve Tyler, when one of the most gorgeous versions of the national anthem of all time followed a few hours later during the next game, as performed by Kristin Chenoweth!
Ummm...Sarcasm I'm assuming?
I think he did OK – people probably think it sounds weird bc he sang it slow and kept w/the melody – not his usual performing style. Also, I don't think we can really speculate on his love of this country based on his performance – it wasn't disrespectful like Roseanne's, just Steven Tyler in a different light!
At least his boobs didn't "accidentally" fall out. I don't see what all the fuss is about. It was fine to me. Need to create some Monday traffic on CNN.
Seemed fine to me, I don't see the problem at all. It's about 100x better than I could do and he's about twice my age. Crap, give the man a break. I liked it in fact.
I've said it before and I'll say it again....if you want a traditional version of the song, hire someone that sings that way. Steven Tyler sang it the way Steven Tyler sings. Duh!!!!
the guy is like what.......50-60 years old and stills rock that microphone! if you were expecting him to sound like he did back in the Aerosmith haydayz, you're crazy.........ill tell you he is still one COOL CAT! there is nothing to critize here! move on – next!
I liked it. He is now Josh Groban and if that is what they were looking for then they should not have asked Steven Tyler. It was a classic Steven Tyler performance. I was truly happy that he DID remember all the words and he made me smile. The critics need to get a life.
It sounded fine to me. The song is difficult for anyone. I thought Steven did a good job.
Who was the Gillette Stadium staff idiot that signed up that has been loser to sing anyway? It was shameful and reminded me of Rosanne Barr's national anthem attempt. Poor Liv Tyler...
Rock on Steve! Forget the haters... Aerosmith 4ever.
Awful! This is our National Anthem. No respect having clowns like this sing. Plenty of good anthem singers out there that can nail this song. I'm offended that they have these idiots butchering this song before big games.
This song was written to inspire patriotism, not so you could walk away and talk about how well the singer did. You should respect the fact that he loves his country and put himself out there and did a good job and remembered all the words. How about a little love and a little less hatred?
They should've had a true patriot like Bradley Manning or Julian A$$ange sing it.
Sounds exactly like what you would expect from Steven Tyler, it was fine. I read the article before watching the video and was expecting a train wreck. never happened.
I saw it and I heard it and I don't know a thing about his group but.....he did a very good job and he did it with real feeling! I appreciate his efforts.
Anyone who thinks that was even remotely good show that they have absolutely no taste in music. Go home and listen to your hootie and the blowfish, u2, nickelback, and other horrible bands that the tone deaf enjoy.
I really liked it, you rock Steve!
I thought it was as good as you could get for a 60's aging rock star. He did a good job and added his own flair to it – true to himself. I'm tired of all the R&B versions out there anyways (Hudson, Aguilera, Alicia Keys, etc, etc)
Tyler just doesn't have a "Star Spangled Banner" voice. Nobody should expect him to sound like Paul Robeson. I get tired of the stupid debates every time someone flubs the Anthem. I wish the promoters would decide whether they want brilliant singers or just any warm celebrity body.
To those who say he sounded good, listen to the performance again (don't watch it), and this time, instead of thinking "Steven Tyler from Aerosmith is singing", think "that guy who delivers the mail won a raffle to sing the anthem". Guaranteed you'll hear it differently and realize how bad it really was.
I never followed his career so I don't know anything about his music, but I did like the way he sung the National Anthem. He did a good job. What is to complain about?
I always loved Arrowsmith, but Steven Tyler is WAY past his prime and his awful performance shows that he has turned into a pathetic LOUNGE ACT and he needs to retire from singing ASAP
Arrowsmith? Your a tool...
Umm. It's Steven Tyler. He's a Boston native and didn't do a horrible job at all. At least he didn't use an autotuner like many others due to mask their lack of being able to stay on key. It's a tough song folks. Deal with it. Also, he kept it simple and classic.
My the naysayers must have a slow news day. He is a rocker what the heck do you expect? He sang with respect and knew the words! It is ridiculous to brand him as one of the worst performances ever. That belongs soley to Roseanne! Now there is a performance to complain about. Leave him the hell alone and report on something more significanat!
Worse rendition category? Not even close. He's a rock singer...what were you expecting? Johnny Mathis? Frank Sinatra? Dean Martin? He did what he did and how he does it and it doesn't even qualify for consideration in the horrible rendition category.
What was wrong with it, really? He was on-key and had all the words correct.
Steve Tyler has–and has always had–a voice good for rock-n-roll, but never a classically beautiful voice. You were expecting Enrico Caruso?
Why is anyone surprised that Tyler cannot do this song justice? He's a screaming rock-n-roller. Artists should know if they can pull off performing that very difficult song....it makes me nuts when someone gets up to perform this song and starts warbling and ripping notes up and down and screaming like they're dying....
I think he sounds GREAT, the fans loved it, he sounds just like STEVEN TYLER!, He loves his country you can tell. I was afraid to listen to it, and he sounds fine! What's wrong with some of you?
You folks just shut the fu*k up. He did fine or would you rather have me sing it again.
OMG!!!!! They invited Steven Tyler to sing and he didn't sound like Sinatra!!! I'm appalled!!!!!
He's a rock singer, right? He sounded fine to me. I don't see what the negative reaction is all about. They bring on StevenTyler and expect Pavarotti?
Hey, it was a great blue-collar working man's version ! I've never heard so many fans singing along LOUDLY before. Sure, after 40 years of screaming top-notch rock'n'roll, who's voice WOULDN'T be raspy, but when he nailed the most difficult note "in the la-and of the freeee..." and then added a SENSATIONAL scream...YOWZA ! Rock on MR. TYLER !!! In comparison, that SAAAD performance of the anthem at the 49ers-Giants game by a pathetically warbling Kristen Chenoweth was like fingernails on a blackboard. Now THAT was a performance worthy of massive criticism, not Stevens !
He is what he is- a washed up, strung out drug addict.
That washed up drug addict makes more money in 1 hour then you will your whole life.
please shoot him and put him out of his misery.
I didn't see anything wrong with his rendition.
It's pretty much how I'd expect the national anthem to sound being sung a capella by a rock singer, especially a rock singer who normally sings rock songs with a hard edge.
I guess the whiners who are complaining were maybe expecting it to be sung sweet and smooth.
I liked it. Powerful performance. Looked like he meant it. The man knows how to use what he's got.
Horrible, just horrible. It was worse than when rosanne sang it.
Definitely NOT as bad as Rosanne Barr, a fat, ugly and disgusting woman who grabbed her own crotch at the end of her "performance". However, I couldn't help but cringe a bit with Tyler's singing, especially when he tried to add the flair at the end... Dude, just STOP, really! Cut your hair and FINALLY age gracefully... oh, yeah, you're "rock N roll", and aging is for loosers, right? If I was as stuck in 1988 as Tyler is, I'd probably agree with that.
Silly troll, that's not how you spell America. :3
I will never understand why people cannot simply sing it the way it was written, no vocal theatrics or attempting to hit some riduculous high note at the end. The song in an of itself is NOT easy to sing, just sing it, period. As for Mr. Tyler, to be honest, he did an OK job until the screech at the end. Let's face facts, he doesn't have the greatest voice to begin with, not horrible, but not great. Again, simply get up to a microphone and sing the Nation Anthem straight up.
Bring back Whitney Houston!
Not a pretty rendition – wondering why he was selected? But, really, why do we need a "celebrity" to sing the natioanl Anthem? It used to be the crowd at the venue would sing !
they should've gotten Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. to sing the anthem. He's the only one who hasn't totally screwed it up!
His trying to hang on to his old glory and it looks just pathetic. His performance could have been worse, but for someone who makes money singing it was rather poor. He needs to give up being hip. It looks to try hard.
Personally I did not see anything wrong...it was a Tyler performance.......
It wasn't that bad. He's a rocker and that's the spin he put on it. Yep, not bad.
wow.. Steven Tyler sounded just like.. Steven Tyler!! I mean really people, it sounded exactly what I would have expected it to. He didn't change the song up, forget the words, or go off pitch (well, for his voice anyways). So that means he did a good job!
The worst two anthems ever are Roseanne Barr and Carl Lewis hands down.
He was great. It was very enjoyable.
OK, when you hire Steven Tyler to sing the national, anthem, SUPRISE! ... you are going to get Steven Tyler singing the national anthem. He is a rock star, not an opera singer. He pretty much sang the words right, and he sang the melody of the song properly, which is more than I can say for Christina Aguilera or any other vocally amazing pop superstar who screws with the song until it is unrecognizable. I think he did a fine job, and people need to relax.
@? you make Canadians look bad. Keep your fool mouth shut for the sake of the rest of us.
Amen, Dane. He isn't a real Canadian anyway with that mouth.
It was, without doubt, one of the most pitiful displays on eroded talent I've ever seen.
They should've gotten Landau Eugene Murphy jr. to sing the anthem. He's the only one in recent years who hasn't screwed it up!
People wil complain and droan on and on about anything. Give it a rest and if you don't like, don't listen or let the individuals who booked him know that he was horrible with the recommendation to not invite him to sing the anthem again. Steven Tyler's voice is not suitable for the national anthem and no, it was not the best rendition of the anthem but it sure wasn't the worst. You have to keep in mind that this type of song is not his genre. Most people who sing the anthem will say that it is a not easy to sing. Not all people sing it beautifully like Josh Groban, who sings it amazingly well and beautiful. It just freaking amazes me about what aggravates people and how people can be so critical and just down right mean.
at that moment, i asked my husband to close his eyes and evaluate the voice. result: not good
Duh, it sounded like Steven Tyler! He's not going to sound like Frank Sinatra... Get over it.
I thought it was sung like "crap." The Star Spangled Banner should be sung with heart and no frills, loud/cracking voices. He certainly would never get invited to sing in my Legion post. AFC/NFL should be ashamed for inviting him to sing.
It wasnt that bad. It wasnt Tylers best work but it wasnt bad.
It's the national anthem - not the Steven Tyler anthem!
To all performers: Please sing it the way it was written and stop stylizing it into your personal sound. Performing it at a major public event like this is a chance to honor the nation - not promote your song styling genius.
WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER GAME?
Kristin Chenoweth sucked I hate it when singers think they know how to change the song
And we expected what from him? He did what he does, scream the words.
You book Steven Tyler, you get Steven Tyler. What did they expect him to sound like? Josh Groban?
It sounded just like I thought it would with Steven Tyler singing it. Get over it people this is how the man sings! Maybe you should be mad a whoever booked him.
They knew what they could possibly get! He 'sang' the National Anthem at the 2001 Indianapolis 500 an changed the lyrics!
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-JBNRGy7Nc&w=640&h=360]
Steven Tyler is a good guy but his time has long passed. He started out as an imitation of Mick Jagger and he's finishing up as a bad imitation of Steven Tyler. The NFL's choice of musicians is pitiful – who in their right mind chooses Tyler to sing the anthem – it's a surefire recipe for disaster. And Madonna for the Super Bowl ???? There is plenty of great young talent who can blow her and Tyler off the stage.
He didn't forget the words and at almost 64 he sings better then half the BS 20 somethings out there.
I'm pretty sure he sang "as bomb bursting in air" instead of "the bombs bursting in air"
Exactly what I was thinking! I thought it was 'spot-on' for Steven! Some R&B/Pop "singers/lip syncers" have to add extra high notes which sounds like screaming to their rendition. Just think about the night it was written and sing it that way. Don't add all the exra bs to it.
That was classic Steven Tyler! He was great! There was nothing wrong with it. He did a lot better than a lot of those other singers in the past.
Who was that old screaming lady?????
Agree that this was definately NOT a bad performance. This song has been totally butchered over the years and I think Steven Tyler did a good job!
What did they expect to happen? He sang it horribly at the Indianapolis 500 several years ago. Why would anyone think he would change?
@? , CANADA SUCKS JUST LIKE YOUR MAMA SUCKS C-OCK
I thought it was a really good performance. I'd love to hear any of the naysayers do any better! It was simply a rock version of the song ... and a pretty dang good one at that! I think what they don't like is the rock version ... they're confusing his rasp for lack of vocal ability ... that man can sing his butt off STILL.
Right up there with Roseanne Barr!
Hardly.
Um, sounded just like you'd expect Steven Tyler to sound – he's a rock singer not a ballad singer. Rock on!
I thought it was fine. And he had deep New England roots. The crowd loved it.
I have "deep new england roots" too (ancestors came over on the mayflower) and I think he sucks.
Hitler had "deep Austrian roots", but I doubt many Austrians would cheer for him if he sang their national anthem.
I didn't hear anything wrong with it. It was in tuen and a lot better than Roseanne Barr did. Certainly not the worst rendition by a performer
You need to adjust your hearing aid if you think that was good vocals
Who said anything about good vocals. He said he was "in tune". There's a difference. I can carry a tune but it sounds awful anyway.
He was not awful, not blasphemous, not deplorable or disgusting, but there were more than a few out-of-tune notes in there (the "ear" in "early", for starters) . Not judging (I thought it was just fine, especially for football audience), just clearing up some of the misinformation here.
Horrible!! His mantra and the only thing that comes outa his mouth on AI "that was beautiful man" did not pertain to him here. He also just looks so gross...like one of those People of Walmart photos. Time to hang up all those dangling things in your hair (including color extensions) and retire gracefully...although I'm not sure that word and Grandma Tyler are synonomous.
HORRIBLE! He butchered the song and should be embarrassed. I was embarrassed for him!
Tyler is a liberal fool, though that is redundant.
Sorta like "Observer" and "a*hole".
Aren't Conservatives the ones who believe the world is 6000 years old and that some invisible friend living on a cloud controls everything
Redundant?? Don't you mean an oxyMORON like "jumbo shrimp" "soft rock" or "rap music"?? I agree with SB-you seem to be an observer of all things that don't matter!!
Loved it!!! Great job Steven!!!!!! Before criticising make sure YOU have been there done that!!!!
Truly? Great job? He was flat out awful.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries&w=640&h=360]
I WOULD LOVE TO SUCK THE CRACK OF STEVE'S A5$
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_XkqV6b7Pw&w=640&h=360]
But it's ok and acceptable for R&B artists to do all kinds of vocal acrobatics which many times also trash the song? Come on folks....your hypocrisy can only go so far. It's a song.
Agreed, Mark. ST's rendition, warts and all, was just fine by me. I wouldn't have expected him to do it any differently, nor would I have wanted him to do it any differently.
AMEN MARK.......that's what I have been saying Aretha Franklin & Aaron Nevile, Patti LaBell, R Kelly and on and on. Opps we better be careful or we will be call racist because we have an opinion
Steven Tyler's rendition of the National Anthem is disgusting and blasphemous. There a some things that should not be changed...Our National Anthem is one of them. He obviously does not love this country and the efforts and bravery that went into the time of the writing of our anthem. Boo on him.
Disgusting and blasphemous? I don't think you understand the meaning of those words. The rendition was pretty straightforward without all the trills and extra syllables that so many people try to throw in. The only thing that wasn't great was his voice. Overall, I think he did ok, not great but not horrible. I certainly wouldn't go so far as to say it was disgusting and blasphemous.
Horrible, yes but not so sure he was disgusting and blasphemous. I think you need to look the definitions up again and refresh yourself with the meanings.
Up here in Canada we've got a proper National Anthem, not like this militaristic dirge you guys have. Feels good to be truly free. I was under the impression that most Americans liked America The Beautiful more anyway.
Oh just bl ow it out your pant ies!
And you wonder why some of us Americans think of you Canadians as a bunch of dumb inbred hockey playing canucks.
Quick J.B. Who wrote it? On what occasion?
Hey Canada, We don't care what you think!
I was surprised he kept so close to the actual tune ... couldn't hit the high notes so he sang 'em like the aging rock star that he is (I was never a fan, for the record).
Blasphemy, hardly. That would be apt for Roseanne's singing lo those many years ago.
And JB, do yourself (and the rest of us) a favor – never attend a sporting event in Baltimore. You could even hear it at Foxboro yesterday – a very loud O towards the end (O say does that star spangled banner yet wave) – for our hometown Orioles.
The music was non-existant. The respect for country and flag, also absent.
I agree. For the people on here saying he remembered the words, you need to go look at the words. He messed it up plain and simple. He should have never been allowed to sing it in the first place.
That's okay America. We still love our inbred gun running neighbors to the south.
Disagree that the anthem is something that "shouldn't be changed". How about using something more singable with less bellicose lyrics. America the Beautiful? There are plenty of patriotic songs that could be used to honor this great country.
That said, I thought Tyler rocked the anthem.
Wow. You need a life.
And an enema.
Are you aware that the American National Anthem is one of the most difficult songs to sing? It contains notes that span a 2.5 octave range (20 notes apart on the scale) and, in more than one spot, jumps an entire octave. The only time I can think of a blasphemous taped performance is Rosanne Barr and it wasn't because of the poor singing, it was the "gestures" after. Anyone who forgets the words or screws them up is just nervous unless they intentionally goof them up. Then they unpatriotic or than that, just human. Anyone who sings it to their best of the singing ability is just fine. To those complaining about his notes/pitch... can YOU sing it perfectly?
"That's okay America. We still love our inbred gun running neighbors to the south."
We will attempt to recall this when we annex Canada.
KTHXBAI
Up here in Canada we've got a proper National Anthem ...
I would venture the STAR SPANGLED BANNER is a bit more recognized WORLD-WIDE than "Oh, Canada(you've done it again)".
If Canada is so terrific, why can't you guys INVENT anything?
@becky – Las Vegas: I wasn't "complaining about his notes/pitch," simply setting the record straight for those who were asserting that he was pitch-perfect.
In spite of the off-pitch notes & flubbed words, which can be attributed to so many factors, I liked the performance and agree with everything that you've asserted in your post.
Things Canada invented: Walkie talkie, TV camera, Pager, snowmobile
Things America invented: Guantanamo Bay, Homeland security, A-bomb, Ab-Ghraib man pile
Good job guys.
TYLER WAS GREAT . THE FANS LOVE IT. YOU ALL THAT HAVE A NEGITIVE COMMENT GET A LIFE.
You are right. I wouldn't recommend putting Beverly Sills in front of Aerosmith!
I got a life pal. That moron needs to crawl back under the rock from which he emerged!!!
"moron" – LMAO – you could only DREAM to be as moronic as Tyler.
This moron has turned down more free kitty than you've ever seen published.
LOUDER, DAVID, LOUDER!!!
Dude looks like a lady... A 60yr old lady trying to look like a 25yr old lady
Classic Steven Tyler. 'Beautiful man'. Like his scarf, though! Lmao!
i thought he did good they knew he was from a rock band they knew how he sang and yes he remembered the words as half the people dont THUMBS UP FOR STEVEN TYLOR
@maggie: You meant, "He knew most of the words," right?
At least he remembered the words..unlike Christina Aguilera
True enough, but he has a terrible voice. His was never that strong but now that he's older he should forego the singing gigs.
um, he messed up the words. just like stupid christina aguwhatever. where the hell is "theres bombs bursting in air?" anywhere in the star spangled banner?
@Dan – the actual words are "the bombs bursting in air." Close enough.
Actually, he didn't. Replay it again to see if you can hear the mistakes. One was obvious and the other two less so.
He shoulda stayed away. This is a guy who screamed his songs. His throat is done worn out. Okay I'll let u go from there on my throat comment.lol
I was expecting something really horrible. I actually saw nothing wrong with the performance.
His voice isn't there anymore, but it was a decent effort. Some people just love to complain.
Besides everyone knows that Chef Rick Bayless is the star of the Bayless family, not Skip.
What's the big deal? He just did a cover version of the Hendrix rendition, only with his voice.
Agreed. It was classic Steven Tyler. I didn't see anything wrong with it.
It was a great blue-collar working man's version ! I've never heard so many fans singing along LOUDLY before. Sure, after 40 years of screaming top-notch rock'n'roll, who's voice WOULDN'T be raspy, but when he nailed the most difficult note "in the la-and of the freeee..." and then added a SENSATIONAL scream...YOWZA ! Rock on MR. TYLER !!! In comparison, that SAAAD performance of the anthem at the 49ers-Giants game by a pathetically warbling Kristen Chenoweth was like fingernails on a blackboard. Now THAT was a performance worthy of massive criticism, not Stevens !
Really not that bad at all. Better than I can do. ....
It was classic Tyler kicking it out like he always does. What were you expecting Justin Bieber?
It's called tearing someone else down to try to make one's self look superior. That's the whole reason why people complain about others. If you don't want to listen to him sing...you could always take a bathroom break...or hit mute on the remote...then we won't have to listen to complaints anymore.
Pitch perfect! What are these blowhards whining about? I am not a Tyler fan and he is one ugly summabytch but for an a capella performance by a geezer and even in one's prime, he hit the notes precisely on key, added some breathy flourish but not too much, so must be just Patriot haters chiming in with this diss.
Well.....he got all the words right......and I enjoyed it.
It's Steven Tyler. There was Nothing wrong with his rendition.
It was fine! What's the big deal? That's one of the hardest songs to sing and he hit all the notes and rubbed his own style on it. Nice job!
@johnnyrockman: You meant to write, "He got most of the words right," right?
If they wanted Steve Tyler to sound like some one else then they would have asked someone else. Lighten up people...........
Didn't see nothing wrong with the song, that's the way he sings. I have been a fan for my whole life. Wonderful singing.
He never could sing. He is like most rock stars, he just screams over popular music which is then helped in the recording studio. Most of them cannot sing a note.
You get what you pay for!
He looks like a woman!lol
His voice isn't there any more? You are incredibly incorrect in that. I didn't care for his rendition of the SSB but go to a show, you'll see his voice is still quite there Monty.
@mushogorsky: "Pitch perfect" – except when he wasn't; "He hit the notes precisely on key" – except when he didn't. Not judging. Just setting the record straight.
In spite of that, I liked it. 🙂
I think it was classic Steven Tyler. Sounds pretty good for a guy in his sixties if you ask me.
As for the words – "There's bombs" doesnt sound like he messed up, it sounds like artistic license to me. Typical Tyler-like adlib.
He may not be what he used to be, but that was a heartfelt performance, and it was live. Not prerecorded like many others. If you remember Whitney Houston's rendition, which has become the gold standard, was pre-recorded and she lip-synched. Kudos to him for singing live.
I give him a A+.
Go Steve Tyler!!! I work in a sports bar and I have never seen people react the way they did when Steve Tyler sang the National Anthem. One could feel the proud to be an American spirit overflow. Great begining to an incredible game 🙂
At least he managed to get through the performance without falling off the stage for a change!
Just listened to it several times, Ken, and I'm fairly well convinced that it was not an intentional modification. He flubbed it, but was able to continue unfazed, as any lifelong professional would.
As for his intonation - in a cavernous stadium, with blaring speakers and echo all round, probably an earpiece monitor, that is totally excusable, and his performance really was nothing to vilify.
Standing on its own, that performance would not have got a total stranger out of the audition-round of AI.
Great performance, nuff said.
I'm impressed that he remembered all the words. Not like some singers at past game that could not remember all the words.
Dude looked like a lady, but sang great. Steve – you rock!
From the article, I also expected a mess. He was spot on tune the entire song. Especially given his age, I was surprised at how well he did. People these days are just so quick to put others down. Reflection of themselves methinks.
Nothing wrong with it at all! Typical Steven Tyler!
I thought Steven Tyler did great job and gave it his all. The fans in the stadium thought so too and they overwhelmingly joined him singing. I really thought that those criticized his "live" not dubbed rendition really need to find somthing else to complain about.
I thought Steven did find. That is his type music and his voice... To me it's no different than black artists putting their oooooohhhhhhh yeahhhhhh, etc. during and at the end of a song. Steven you are a rocker.....Rock on...
I wish Steven Tyler had sung at the San Francisco 49ers game against the NY Giants yesterday ! Kristin Chenoweth sang the anthem perfectly but my 49ers lost .... i blame country music star Brad Paisley who sang at half time 😦
Some are being critical of Steven Tyler's rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. Tyler sang it just the way his fans would have expected him to. He sang it in the style that made him famous and that has given his career life for the past 42 years. I might add Tyler did remember all of the words.
If you don't like the style of the singing artist that is set to perform the Star Spangled Banner I suggest you not tune into the game until the performance is over. If the artist is not your cup of tea you're going to find a complaint with the taste.
I love the national anthem–even Steven's version. What else did you expect from a rock star?
It was classic Steven Tyler, who I'm not crazy about. However, he did what he does and screamed it out which is what I would expect. He did make some mistakes on the wording which I find more offensive than the fact that Steven Tyler sang like Steven Tyler.
It wasn't that bad. Plus, he was singing outside in the cold.
Better than female singer flavor of the month X warbling whatever notes she feels like. It's been done to death.
Not Hendrix by any means, but a solid rock performance. That's Steven Tyler, even at 63 and after throat surgery.
Yeah, okay it wasn't up to the Whitney or Kathie Lee standards but it wasn't that bad. I'm pretty sure that he was chosen to sing because Aerosmith is based in Boston(not that there's anything wrong with that)-a Native son singing in his old stomping grounds, high heeled boots and all!! All respect to him for staying in key in a difficult song to sing!!
THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT PERFORMANCE. i WAS WAITING & WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE FUSS WAS...AND THERE IS NONE. TYLER DID JUST FINE, NO DIFF. THAN ANY OTHER ENTERTAINER WHO PUTS THEIR OWN STYLE ON IT. ACTUALLY, HE SEEMED VERY SINCERE. Like you Steve, don't change!!
Steven Tyler's version of National Anthem was the second worst ever,Rosanne Barr was worst, Steven Tyler should be ashamed
OH MY, OUR COUNTRY IS GOING THRU A TOUGH TIME AS IT IS, DON'T GIVE IT ANYMORE PROBLEMS .
THE STAR SPANGLE BANNER DESERVES BETTER, "GOD BLESS AMERICA".
Let's all lighten up. It really wasn't that bad at all. If you know anything about singing--it is one very hard song for just about anybody to pull off. Tricky keys; unusual wording; it's really a bit of a challenge.
Celebrate that you were alive to watch it;...that you had a roof over your head and a TV to watch it on with likely good food and drink nearby...and a few friends or family. That put syou ahead of about 70% of the people on the planet...
what the heck is he doing as a judge on AMERICAN IDOL????????????????
WITH all the talented writters and producers, they should have someone like DAVID FOSTER.......................
ROSE
a course a persons who wouldn't be able to carry a tone with two sticks and a tin can wouldn't see nothing wrong with his signing. Dude voice is all over the place. But then again, Steven Tyler never was a great singer in the first place
I liked the rock and roll spin Steven put on our National Anthem. The folks bashing him probably can't "carry a tune in a bucket" so shut up. Besides Steven your rich, successful, and the front man of one of the most legendary bands in the world (that experience no one can touch).....and the folks commenting are not.....so ignore the negativity and keep doing what you do best. I wish you all the best in your sobriety; stay strong, love you!
The performance seem to be a rock version. Tyler did a good job and people should just leave him alone. I actually feel bad for him that there was any criticism of his singing. People just want something to complain and grip about these days. I think there is more to worry about in this world besides someone's singing.
Classic Tyler, I see nothing wrong with it. He was on key the entire time. It was fine. Can't believe the hubbub on this.
I don't know what anyone expected from Tyler. He is a blues, funk and rock singer. This is his style and he can still pack thousands when Aerosmith tours.
Yup. Sounded like Aerosmith. Did you expect Pavarotti???
Steven, keep rock in! The folks complaining most likely cannot "carry a tune in a bucket". You are the lead singer of one of the greatest rock bands of all times; and the nay sayers are simply not. Many blessings, stay well.
What did people expect when Steven Tyler was hired to sing the anthem?