Marvin Gaye's Nation Anthem

[SenorSpur]

Here's an NPR story about Feliciano and some others.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=6394213

Carl Lewis' attempt is truly cringeworthy.

Whenever I hear Carl Lewis' rendition, I feel my skin falling off.

[DynastyBuilder]

Marvin Gaye

[Solid D]

I remember watching that ASG on TV. Marvin's rendition was one of those that you remember as one of a kind. Very soulful and I agree, probably right there with Whitney Houston's Super Bowl performance as two of the best.

[baseline bum]

Greatest ever FTW

[Brutalis]

Damn that was a good Anthem.

[baseline bum]

I didn't want to go there about Marvin. However, based on the fact that it was widely known Marvin was heavily addicted to cocaine during that period, it wouldn't be stretch to speculate that he could've been "under the influence" during this rendition.

In the 60's, I would guess so. BTW, I pulled up Feliciano's version on YouTube. It was good. He admitted that many radio stations stopped playing his records because of all the negative furor surrounding that version. That sucks.

I don't think it's speculation about Marvin. I remember reading that all the organizers were going crazy when Marvin showed up 10 minutes before the performance in horrible shape, and that they thought he was way too stoned to go out and sing that day.

[LakeShow]

I like a lot of the National Anthem performances. Jose, Fantasia, Faith Hill, Cher and I can definitely HEAR Jimi but none touched me like Marvin Gaye and Whitney Houston. I could FEEL their performances. The Best two performances ever!

[cash459]

c'mon guys.....did you forget about this one??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJLvCM4j2mg

".......uh oh! i'll make up for it now"

[Leetonidas]

I love Marvin Gaye's version and I'm not even from the US.

The US owns Puerto Rico though, remember that.

[spurscenter]

for sure

[mrsmaalox]

I've heard so many versions at the games the last few years, but the one that stands out as a "goose bump" moment was before the ring ceremony in Oct 2007 (too bad I just can't trust a man without lips)

[endrity]

I just heard Feliciano's version, and I love it. Very "soul"-ful, and his voice is simply amazing.

[SenorSpur]

I don't think it's speculation about Marvin. I remember reading that all the organizers were going crazy when Marvin showed up 10 minutes before the performance in horrible shape, and that they thought he was way too stoned to go out and sing that day.

Not surprised at all. This revelation and the fact that he still nailed the song are true testimonies to what a truly wonderful singer and performer Marvin was. He taken the moniker "living the high life" to a whole nuther level.

I read that in the late 70's, when he was living in Hawaii and on hard times, his agent hooked him up to perform several command performances for the royals in England. Problem was he couldn't stay sober or coherant long enough to get to the gigs on time.

[SenorSpur]

This is a lot better than Marvin Gaye's version.

Wow! I had forgotten how scintillating a rendition Whitney's was too.

OK. I"m personally ranking hers up there with Marvin.