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Not only was Whitney possessed of a spectacular vocal instrument, but she also didn’t overdo it with all sorts of crazy acrobatics. It’s strong and stylish without being too showy and over ornamented.
Agreed. She had such a pure expression. Although I think the trend of the music industry at the time was to add more gimmicks / stylized singing to grab people’s attention and their money, Whitney stood as proof that God given talent and a true love of music will always endure. It is honestly an honor to watch her render a song, but also fall in love with the song over and over. UGH
"Is Whitney Houston's version of the national anthem the best ever?" Obviously, yes. But I'd love to spend sixteen minutes listening to you talk about why.
It's a good version, but I prefer the traditional version, by far. Houston would have done just fine without the emotional implications of a reharmonized arrangement.
Audiences may not realize it consciously, but the beauty and power of this version is as much in the arrangement and re-harm as it is Whitney's voice. It's similar to the realization that the power of a great scene in a movie may come as much from the score as it does the things that are seen on the screen. Great composers and arrangers understand the psychological power in harmonic choices and when a singer feels this, it can generate a whole new level of inspired music-making. What I got out of this video was that the name of bassist/arranger, John Clayton should be much more known in association with this performance. Thanks, Charles!
This is the way the anthem was supposed to be sung. She is the best vocalist to have ever graced the face of the planet. And I love his passion for music.
... and the fact that Whitney smiles at the perfect moment, who smiles when they sing this? She's clearly loving it, she knows she's killing it, and it makes us love it and her even more.
We have to start giving Whitney Houston the full credit that she deserves. She was the true MASTERMIND in her rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner. She was the one who demanded that it be slowed down from 4/4 time signature to 3/4. Whitney really liked Marvin Gaye's version of the Star-Spangled Banner, which he performed at the 1983 All Star basketball game. She wanted to be able to take her time and not be rushed. What most of us did not truly understand about Whitney Houston, is the fact that the most powerful gifts bestowed upon her was her ability to compose music and conduct her musicians like a true professional. She was more than just THE VOICE. She truly understood music and how to embody a song and bring out its beauty. Just take a listen to George Benson's version of The Greatest Love of All, and then compare Whitney's version and how she took that song and made it soar. She did the same thing with Chaka Khan's song, I'm Every Woman. David Foster, one of this generations greatest song writers and composers said that Whitney's ideas were better than his 99% of the time. There is even an account of how she and Mariah Carey were to perform the "When You Believe" for the Oscars, and Whitney missing most of the rehearsals discovered the evening BEFORE the show that the arrangement wasn't working. She, by herself without any of the musicians was able to create a new arrangement, with the whole room watching her in awe. Whitney could conduct any band or Orchestra with subtle graceful movements of her arms and hands, which went unnoticed by many. She understood her gift and craft better than most singers and her execution was flawless. Her technical abilities to take a song to new levels allowed her voice to steal the spotlight. Whitney is the GREATEST, no one can compete with her.
This is the most beautiful comment I've read so far. I'm sure Ms, Houston is up the batting her eyes, and yes she was truly a gifted individual (NO BULLSHIT HERE) and people are actually studying her amazing vocal gymnastics. Amazing! She made us the Black Community Proud of her. Proud to see a sister achieve such enormous success. May her legacy last for centuries to come. If anyone ever asks what contributions' black people made in society just tell them we gave you the National Anthem.
It is one of the best versions of the National Anthem. Unfortunately it opened the flood gates for every other singer to try to put his or her's stamp on the song and some of those versions make my skin crawl.
@shona.6004 At 2:33 the author correctly stated the meter was switched from 3/4 to 4/4, and says this was done by arranger John Clayton. Why do you say Whitney Houston "slowed" the time signature from 4 to 3?
Hands down, without a doubt, Whitney Houston’s rendition of the National Anthem is untouchable! The best ever! Still gives me chills and makes my hair stand straight out all these years later!
If in honest I find Hendrix's performance better. It's more innovative and it has carries more meaning than just playing the same song for the millionth time with some different chords and a different singer.
Whitney's version is hands down the best version. All together it sounds so magical. I listen to it literally everyday and I'm not even hella patriotic. I just love the euphoric feeling i get from listening to it.
I’m so excited to see all these people that know nothing about music theory and watching anyway... you hook em in with the vines and then get them interested in theory
When that FmMaj7 hits, I don't think there's a single musician on Earth who doesn't get chills across their entire body. The best moment of the entire performance.
@@cherrymanproductions She is sorely missed. THAT is an understatement. They leave her out of conversations of who kills it with the vocals too often where I search.
Whitney Houston's rendition of The Star Spangled Banner makes me, a Canadian (Who has been to America many times and love America), tear up and feel patriotic for a country I'm not even a citizen of... That shit is powerful!
Indian, living in America and I fight with other fellow Indians for America. I'm still not citizen and won't be for many years but the way she sings make you feel patriotic towards America🤦♀️
It was celebrated back when she sang this. You have to keep in mind that this version of the Anthem was a hit. Like on the Billboard 100 type of hit. There hasn’t been anything like that since she sang it.
Nicholas B Yes and no. She recorded that in one take in the studio after hearing the arrangement once. She had a track playing due to the sheer amount of noise around that would’ve prevented people from hearing it, so they played it but she did in fact sing LIVE with the track. She was doing both and the reason you can’t tell is because she sounds like that in real life. No less passion given in the studios nor during the actual performance from The Voice. Thank you, Whitney! I’ve never felt so truly patriotic...and I don’t feel that too often.
Nicholas B no she pre recorded but she still sung it we got her pre recorded version which still dose not take away her amazing ability but she still went out and sang the song it’s just that we got the pre recorded I would bet money tho she would delivered even better if it had been 100% her live and not her singing over her pre recorded.
FINALLY!!! Someone actually pointing out the second part of the genius of this version of the US National Anthem that is actually almost as impressive as Whitney’s performance!! Damn it all, lol!! I have been trying to get this point across since the day I heard her sing it while actually watching the 1991 Super Bowl. As soon as I heard it, I knew it was the greatest version of that song I had ever heard to date. When I was trying to explain exactly why, everyone was stuck on Whitney’s vocal and couldn’t understand what I meant by the restructuring of the composition being so genius as to allow for that emotional hit to become more resonant. As always, lol I was told I was over analyzing it. My response to that was, “Mark my words here. Since folks can’t clearly see that there are two specific reasons why this was such a spellbinding performance, it will probably remain the greatest rendition of this song for decades to come.” and I was totally right. As crafty and complex as other artists have attempted to make it their own, the version that Whitney Houston performed in 1991 is by far THE perfect arrangement and vocal presentation that matches the emotional intention of the song. It is absolutely spectacular to consider that there was actually a way to so perfectly match the emotional elements with that lyrical intention and when the vocal presenter is one with such rare vocal technical perfection as Whitney Houston in the specifically perfect tone to communicate and resonate the lyrical message over the instrumental performance, there is simply no way to ever produce anything more perfect for this particular tune. That may sound a bit melodramatic, but I am completely serious about every word I have stated. And finally there is someone that I think may be in the same camp as I have been since the moment I heard her sing this song. It was epic and I will never change my mind about there probably never being another artist to trump that rendition. Between the composition and the performance, I think all of the headroom for any sort of improvement, even in the area of nuances in pitch or dynamic presentation, have been totally eliminated. This rendition is the songs ultimate perfection. 🇺🇸👍🏻😎👍🏻🇺🇸
I totally agree with you...the combination of her voice, the arrangement, and even the timing of the different visuals made this rendition something that will probably never be topped. It's such a gift!
I totally agree. Well said. What amazes me is that after reading the comments to this video, people are still missing the point and saying it’s because of her voice. Don’t get me wrong her voice is perfect, but the greatness of this rendition lies in the arrangement. Thank you for this wonderful comment pointing this out.
I was in college when Whitney Houston performed this national anthem and everyone went out to purchase cassette tapes that were being sold after the Super Bowl. Anyone else able to sell the national anthem because of its greatness? I don’t think so…
@Trix Sands Nobody's comparing the two. They are two of the best Artists to have come our way. That's indisputable. Whitney and Mariah never tried to compete against one another it was the tabloid media who tried to sell papers which printed those lies. Anyway, I commented Mariah's name only to say in my opinion she has the number two spot in singing the best National Anthem. I repeat in my opinion. I don't expect anyone to agree and that's okay its not the end of the world, lol.
I'm neither American, nor patriotic. But if someone sang our national anthem that way I would consider it distasteful and lacking of respect and would add fuel to my non existant patriotism.
13:29 Does every musical person do that thing where *we’re talking about a note and we stay on that note throughout the entire sentence to emphasize how important this note is and usually ending on lengthening the last worddddd* 😳
Was Whitney's rendition the best ever? Obviously, YES! How can you tell it was the best ever? After she nailed it, look at all the flags waiving in the background for heavens sake, as the stadium erupted, that's how you can tell it was the best ever. Also, let's not forget the great orchestral arrangements. To sum up Whitney's rendition in one word, Stunning!!!
The number of flags in the stadium probably has to do with this happening 11 days into Desert Storm. War makes people patriotic. Not taking anything away from Whitney, just adding context.
Hey listen bro, I listened to Sandy Patties rendition of the National Anthem and yes it was good but it wasn't gut wrenching for me. In other words for it to be great I have to feel it in my stomach which I didn't but don't get me wrong it was good. Whitney's rendition of the National Anthem exuded power and emotion that left a nation choked up during the desert storm crisis. I'm not going to try to convince you to agree with what up saying, ok. You like who you like. However, you need to let the music industry know that Sandy Patties rendition of the National Anthem should be converted into a hit record or made into a record the way Whitney Houston's rendition was made into.
This should be the official arrangement of the National Anthem of the United States. The changes should also be made official. The main thing is that it is truly American harmony.
to me it's a powerful one-off. tailor made for that singular performance. to make it the standard arrangement just diminishes it, imvho. not at all to say it shouldn't be an inspiration for other takes.
Absolutely! Wouldn't we all feel better at every sports event, Olympics US Gold Medal ceremony and wherever else we hear the National Anthem to be hearing this arrangement?! This is TOTALLY what should be representing AMERICA today, musically!!
I watched Whitney’s National Anthem after watching Adam Neely’s commentary on the arrangement Demi Lovato used yesterday-then I watched this. Both videos lent worthy insights and increased my appreciation for both singers and commentators.
One of the more remarkable things to point out about Houston's performance here is her three different intonations on the last three chords, singing "brave." It's just amazing how well she nails them -- what a pro and a national treasure.
@@jenniferhiemstra5228 probably ly the Super bowl owns it or, the network owns it. My friend had to cancel a big Super Bowl party once because he had planned on a cover charge to get in the bar to watch the game.
@@jenniferhiemstra5228 unless the bar gets written consent the bar cannot charge to watch the superbowl in said bar. (At least this was the case 20 years ago in Vermont. ) So, I could be way off in how copyright laws are now.
Yes Whitney Houston's version is the greatest. But besides her voice it was great hearing you explain to us why we feel the way that we feel. It's awesome not just loving something, but actually knowing or realizing why you love it. And your reaction made it that much more exciting and captivating! Awesome video!
Nothing can top this. Whitney leaves every other singer in the dust, like Secretariat leading by 25 lengths. Whenever I feel sick, or down, or out...I listen to this and I am made whole again. RIP Whitney.
@@antonbriggs5680 Finally? You mean all those chart topping black musicians for the last century haven't been appreciated? If anything, black people have always been appreciated for our creativity, but underappreciated for other things.
Favorite version, hands down. I was 11 years old when Whitney Houston's performance was recorded. I'm 40 now, and it still chokes me up. It was classy, sung with power instead of superfluous flourishes, and it just sounds heroic. And you're right--it never gets old.
You caught me! I just took an on line music theory class, only some of which stuck: root chord, check; resolution, check. The chord progressions, not so much. I am an adult learner of the viola so I had to translate from C clef into Treble clef which took so long that the teacher had moved on. Tresillo? Cool. I didn't really understand what an arranger did until now and I didn't realize that even singers of rock and pop had them. I think I like Lady Gaga's arrangement better but perhaps because it is of our time.
And Whitney's incredible voice. I hear her sing this anthem and I smile and I want to cry because it's so powerful. It makes me feel proud to be an American.
Cara Hitt - When it all comes together...!! 🤭😮😭🤤 Like, I was expecting an epic classic. Then I’m watching this - completely enthralled - loving existence - realizing, dang now I have to take a music theory course - marveling @The Whitney all over again ...and missing the connection to Charles’s rant ENTIRELY!!! 🤦🏽♀️ I get it now. I get the (highly entertaining) body contortions. I get the feeling and the anger and the winds of change and fury after hours of just WELL-DONE passion over this WORK! I can’t believe we almost didn’t get to witness this. I’m going to go calm myself now. Thanks for fighting for this, Charles. Also - yay sponsorship!!! #ProtectYoself
She did something magical with the last note and I have yet to find any analysis that talks about it. That note on “brave” is different somehow and so amazing and I just can’t put my finger on what she did there and I’d love to know
every time I hear whitney houston I forget abt the chord- legit when he's talking abt the chords I was like: OK NEXT TIME I'M GONNA TRY TO LISTEN FOR IT BEFORE HE SAYS IT but every time she starts singing I just get a buzzy feeling in my head and oh lol what chords
A lot of this was like you were speaking Latin to me......but I'm here for it. It was fun seeing you so excited about music theory. I wish my music teachers were as animated and excited about music as you are. I would have stuck with it longer than I did. Love your work!
It’s not a question. I recall that evening so well. Her performance was ordained to reach a nation at a moment of need. It is and was an incomparable, supernatural performance
I joined the Navy back in ‘99. We got back from a deployment late that year and I thought I’d go see a movie at the theater on-base for a change. Before ANY function, they’d play the National Anthem to which we had to stand at attention. The song was usually performed by a band detachment or a generic band version over loudspeakers. At the theater, they played this version which I hadn’t seen since that SuperBowl. Suffice to say I cried and was deeply moved by this rendition! It’s nice to see someone else get just as moved! I still get goosebumps every time I hear it. :)
If there is anyone out there who doesn't think Whitney Houston didn't CRUSH the national anthem at the 1991 superbowl, y'all are living under a rock. That performance was FLAWLESS!
IMHO, Minor major 7 is the uncertainty chord. It's almost like Clayton is asking "but did it really, though?" Then as we land back on the Bb->Eb thing with confirmation.
@@hsmsc177 that's a cool analysis, or maybe since they were at war, with the "bombs bursting in air" they really needed proof, and that's the bitterness and uncertainty as you say
I’m not sure I ever considered why this was such a gorgeous rendition... but now I can’t stop thinking about it! This was as adorable as it was informative! Congrats on the sponsor!!!! All that ranting REALLY paid off! ;D
I'm SO glad you recognize the EXACT same portions of this song that were done differently and made it epic! And with Whitney's 5 Octave voice, it makes this the greatest rendition of the National Anthem of All Time. You perfectly explained why this will never be topped or beat.
I just watched through Whitney's rendition twice and both times when she got to "whose broad stripes and bright stars," it was literally impossible for me not to tear up 😂😂😂
This is handsdown the best version of the US anthem. Whitney made it look so effortless. Thank you for the breakdown.Loved your reactions throughout the video.
Charles, I've been listening to the video of Whitney's performance on Super Bowl Sunday every year since 1991, but am just seeing your video now! Thanks for explaining why John Clayton's arrangement is so MAGICAL! Paired with Whitney's voice and delivery, the background of the Persian Gulf War, and the jets overflying from MacDill AFB, this moment in our history was truly amazing!
