Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Okay, okay. How about the Jimi Hendrix version? Can't we all agree that the Jimi Hendrix version is very cool? It's patriotic and anti-patriotic all at the same time, sounds defiant and angry and yet somehow hopeful as well. It's wailing chords scream: "Not everything here is 100% perfect, far from it, but dammit, I have a right to be here and I want my piece of the American dream too, so step off!"
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FmyDROyMS4" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...yDROyMS4</a>
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster Ever since 9/11 it seems every symbolic act of patriotism smacks of nationalism. I think we can show love and respect for our country without the overtones of America uber alles. The United States is a great country but it could be a lot greater. It has never been perfect. Every time I hear right-wingers express a longing to return to past glory I feel uneasy. Rather than embrace some fantasy version of the past why don't we focus on working on our problems of today in order to bring about a better tomorrow? Just like Disneyland, America will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world. Let's keep this grand experiment going without resorting to a pissing contest with the rest of the world. It shouldn't be unpatriotic for us to acknowledge that other countries may be doing something better than we are and humbly admitting that we could learn some things from them.
Originally Posted By mele I cheer like crazy over the National Anthem when my son's 11 year old son plays it at the Seattle Storm games. He plays the Hendrix version. Such a cool little dude: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS1mb51C9tQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...mb51C9tQ</a> They win everytime he's played...including Monday's show. Go Storm!!! (See, I told you I was part lesbian.) ;-)
Originally Posted By DAR <<Can't we all agree that the Jimi Hendrix version is very cool? >> Yes, Hendrix did the best instrumental version. Whitney Houston sang the best version. And Ray Charles sang the best version of America the Beautiful.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Ray Charles sang the best version of America the Beautiful<< I agree! Truth be told, I like America the Beautiful better than Star Spangled Banner. It's the kinder, gentler national anthem.
Originally Posted By DAR Best song titled America-Neil Diamond Best song by the group America-Sister Golden Hair.
Originally Posted By mele I hope I never, ever hear that Neil Diamond song again. And I'm a ND fan. It's god-awful. Man, awful.
Originally Posted By DAR Oh sure it's no Solitary Man Forever in Blue in Jeans Holy Holy Cherry Cherry Kentucky Woman Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon You Got To Me Red Red Wine I'm A Believer Thank the Lord for the Night Time Song Sung Blue Cracklin Rosie Play Me Morningside Crunchy Granola Suite Brooklyn Roads Sollaimon And my personal favorite I Am I Said But I do it enjoy it, especially the TODAYYYYY part at the end. TODAAYYY Todayyy todayyyy todayyy.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Nope. Actually, it's waving o'er the land of the greedy and self-entitled, and the home of the wacky tea partiers quaking in their made-in-Bangladesh Nikes because the big bad Muslims are out to get them.<<< At the moment. And it was also home to the hippies, the commie witch hunters, the progressives, the gilded age crooks, the torries, the yanks, the patriots and the entire cast of colorful "characters" that make our History so interesting. In 50 years, when this is History, it will be much easier to look back and say that it's part of it all.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>The United States is a great country but it could be a lot greater. It has never been perfect. Every time I hear right-wingers express a longing to return to past glory I feel uneasy. Rather than embrace some fantasy version of the past why don't we focus on working on our problems of today in order to bring about a better tomorrow? Just like Disneyland, America will never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world. Let's keep this grand experiment going without resorting to a pissing contest with the rest of the world. It shouldn't be unpatriotic for us to acknowledge that other countries may be doing something better than we are and humbly admitting that we could learn some things from them.<<<< I LOVE THIS POST. That is all.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer And while we are on the topic of patriotic songs, I have always liked The New Seekers, "Free To Be". Corny, but the meaning is there. Would also like to say that it's very refreshing to be able to speak on maters of politics and patriotism with such respect and common courtesy on the internet. I came from a forum where this sort of talk was worth banning someone over, and it's really nice to see it accepted and flourishing here. Thanks guys.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder The following link ENDS any discussion about the best version of the National Anthem. This one is THE.BEST.EVER. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...VzaQ6i8A</a>
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I disagree. Whitney Houston's version is the one to top in my book.
