During the ceremony of Barack Obama's presidential inauguration, Aretha Franklin took the stage, delivering Samuel Francis Smith-written patriotic song "My Country 'Tis of Thee". She sang the track in front of millions of people in Washington D.C.
Following Franklin's live appearance, Vice-President Joe Biden took his sworn-in. Then, a work entitled "Simple Gifts" composed by arranger John Williams, the same musician who crafted "Star Wars" soundtracks, was performed by violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill.
Just after that, Barack Obama took the Oath of Office from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Robert. During the January-20 momentous moment, the 44th president of The United States was joined by his wife Michelle and his two daughters, Sasha and Malia.
Aretha Franklin performing "My Country 'Tis of Thee":
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Awful. She lost track of the words, had trouble staying on key, took pauses for breath at the wrong places, and in general made it a complete embarrassment to watch. What happened to her??? She still has the vocal cords and the power but the song was a mess. Even the orchestra had trouble keeping with her.
My country tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died! Land of the Pilgrim's pride! From every mountain side, Let freedom ring! My native country, thee, Land of the noble free, Thy name I love. I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills; My heart with rapture fills Like that above. Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees Sweet freedom's song. Let mortal tongues awake; Let all that breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong. Our father's God to, Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing. Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King!
She totally destroyed it.. It should have been sung more appropriate YUCK
I thought it was awful, should have had someone that made since.. Jennifer Hudson would have done a much better job.
sounded like the 90 year old hag she is should have sang it like intended
aretha sang from an experienced black womans perspective something these young people just won't ever understand you go aretha and god bless the obama family
aretha is still great and we sould respect her!love u aretha;)
Listening to Aretha is nothing but a pleasure. I was there at the ceremony and I must say, the sound system was bad, the speakers were very scarce, not enough. But still, the Queen of Soul gave the nation a beautiful gift of her amazing talent. I love you Aretha!
"A black rendition of the song!!??" The problem was the VOICE, or lack thereof. I know she is an icon, but if Beyonce sang that same rendition, it would have been moving and awe-inspiring--instead of just confusing and disappointing.
Sorry, but I too thought Franklin's rendition of such a patriotic and touching song, was totally brutalized and ruined by that woman. Just being honest. Her voice is nothing special, and she sounded like she had food in her mouth while enunciating...which she didn't. She's over rated.
Absolutely awful
I thought the song was perfect! Apparently you that are posting negative about her and her performance can't sing...so until you are asked..keep your opinions to yourself. Keep singing Aretha~
I thought Aretha's rendition was AWFUL! I would have much rather seen a group of elementary students in a choir. That song is meant to be sung very simply and honorably and without all that crap added in!
Did she totally tell someone to 'shut up' toward the end of that song without missing a beat? heheh if so.
La performance par un froid pareil, Bravo. Prendre son inspiration pour ce chant par - 6 degré, alors Chapeau Aretha Franklin. Ce n'est plus la voix qui chante, c'est l'âme. The soul sing in place of the voice. A great lesson of song !
Ghoshh!!!!! iTS SPARKLING REAL MAY OUR LAND BE BRIGHT. Love you Aretha
I liked her version but I think she lost her voice for this performance of a life time.I still get the chills every time I hear it. she should record it in the studio -
Sing two syllables, stop for breath. Sing two more syllables, stop for breath. Give me a break!
Did you hear what she said? She seemed to drop part of the word, and had a brain cramp and ended at the female genilia. Sorry for the word country, but Aretha stopped or dropped the "ry" off country. So anything that rhimes with "runt" that start with "c" will suffice. Sorry, but aging singing stars are better left watching from the crowd.
I am normally a Aretha fan.However, I do not live in America and would have lked to have understood the words.Unfortunately, I only could make out about 50% of them.I find it sad that us oldies (and I am one of them)sometimes do not know when we should call it a day and turn down gigs when offered to us no matter how important they may be. I am a musician and after listening to Aretha I am going to pick very carefully my gigs.If I face reality I am not as good as I once was and nor is Ms Franklin. This does not take way in anyway her past. She was great. But the swearing in of a President is one of the most important occassions in America therefore at least I should be able to understand the words.
DID SHE SING AMERICA CORRECTLY? OR DID SHE FORGET THE WORDS TO THE SONG AND INPROVISE. I CAN'T STAND IT, WHEN SINGERS TRY TO CHANGE THE WAY THE SONG IS SUPPOSED TO BE. LIKE THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, OR ARETHA'S RENDITION OF AMERICA. WHY CAN'T THEY SING IT THE WAY ITS SUPPOSE TO BE
I thought it was GREAT! She is in her seventies, vocal cords not what they used to be, but why not a black rendition of this song, well deserved!
the whole thing was unbeliveable, that song should be sang all over the world,"SING YOUR SONG SISTER, AND YOU GO MR PRESIDENT".
thay say a man aint suppose to cry but That song took the man out of me.
She sang so well, I cried, thought I was American for a moment, Just Proud that human can achieve so much, props to the Americans, you really are a big deal, Mimi S.Africa