Steven Tyler defends national anthem performance

I think the whole discussion is kind of silly. Should Congress now pass a law to make it illegal to sing the national anthem except in one approved style? And what style exactly should that be? Should it be illegal for a blues singer to sing it that way, an opera singer to sing it that way, a gospel singer to sing it that way, a broadway singer to sing it that way, etc,? What exactly is the proper way/musical style to sing it and please don't say "respectfully" if you mean by that that any of the above styles I've just mentioned are by definition disrespectful. Nobody says you have to like a given style of music but, come on, at least be reasonable about it and grant an artist some degree of artistic liberty.

I still do not know why so many people have gotten their panties in a twist over this. Steven Tyler sang just like any other song I have heard him sing live. It was not best I have ever heard but it was not even close to being the worst. He's a 60+ year old man. How many other grandfathers are out singing the national anthem in front of a packed house.

You can't hire the singer for Aerosmith to sing the anthem, and then be upset with him for sounding like the singer for Aerosmith. I heard the performance, and it was exactly what I would expect. I felt like he tried to honor the song and the country. If you want to complain about anthem singers, try Christina Aguilera or even worse, Rosanne Barr's insulting disrespect for the flag in her performance some years ago.

To Tyler, I say, Rock On!

I just wonder what they expected from him?? Was he suppose to show up in a blue suit, a crew-cut and sing like someone else?? It's Steven Tyler, for pity sake!! He sang like he sings. I don't know why anyone would expect any less. :p

Well, it's like I said before. Steven Tyler sang like Steven Tyler. I don't particularly like his voice, but there are those that don't like Dean Martin's voice. Steven did a respectable job and should be applauded. Those that criticize need to keep it to themselves.

Seriously people did you expect Steven Tyler to come out and sound like Luciano Pavarotti?

what wa so wrong with Steven Tylers song,? I think it was him and good.
too may darn critics out there to judge!! they need to judge themselves. I'm sayin......

You know what you get when you get Steven.

The fact is if someone were to sing it the same way at an audition for American idol they would have been laughed out the door. No Golden ticket. I agree with many that he was not hte best candidate but he did not disservice the anthem or try to change it up ina crazy way. He is Steven Tyler and what you see is what you get. They need to quit asking the older guys to perform it. They fact is there are few and far between who could sing it when they are young..

I honestly didn't think it was that bad. He's Steven Tyler - he's gonna sing like Steven Tyler. It's the person who booked him you all shoud be complaining to if you didn't like it. Believe me, we've all endured way worse renditions ( Whitney Houston,anyone?)
I thought Kristen Chenowith did a fabulous job.

Stripped down without the music, that's how Steven Tyler sounds. That's his voice. I think he did a good job. No voice acrobatics. Just plain Steven Tyler. They asked for Steven Tyler and that's what they got. So what's the problem? o_O

What a stupid story. Of course he meant to sing it like that, that's how he sings! When a guy has 30+ years of recordings of him singing you shouldn't be surprised at what he sounds like. Blame the people that booked him if you want, but not Steven himself.

I thought he did it just like Steven Tyler would do it - if they wanted it different, they should have gotten someone else - simple as that.

Why do folks get so crazy, if someone don't sing the national anthem to their liking? It's not a easy song to sing and they do it their way. If they mess up the words is one thing. Still, it's not that serious. I had no problem with Steven Tyler singing it his way. If you're a Aerosmith fan, you know that's how he sings.

If in doubt, cut a little slack. He says he meant no disrespect (and I can't believe I'm saying this), but I believe him.

Hmmmm.....at least he knew ALL the words. We cant say that of several past singers.

he sang it like he always sings. he did a good job if you accepted that fact.
remember the singer at superbowl twenty five, she lip sang it. thats weak !

When I first read the headline after Steven Tyler sang the National Anthem, I thought "great, just how bad did he do?", but when I listened to it, I thought "Great job!" He sang like he always sang, he hit every note, and he didn't add syllables. It's just hard to please everybody, I guess.

When they chose Tyler they *KNEW* that that was what they were going to get! C'mon!

I enjoyed Tylers version much more than all or these so called hip-hop or whatever people who act like their doing the funky version at some sleezy back alley club with a bunch of brain dead Xers/