Beyoncé did not sing the national anthem live at President Obama’s inauguration

[BeyondGeography]

Beyoncé sang the national anthem at yesterday’s inauguration ceremony for President Obama and received overwhelming praise for her performance, ranging from Business Insider (“It was just amazing”) to TMZ (“f*cking awesome”).

Beyoncé’s Instagram photo of herself in a recording studio with members of the Marine Corps Band.But to close observers, it appeared the performer was not singing live. To press seated just below the podium, in front of the “President’s Own” Marine Corps Band, it was evident that the band wasn’t actually playing during the song—even though band director Colonel Michael J. Colburn was conducting energetically and the band members mimicked blowing into their instruments. Separately, at one point during her performance, Beyoncé removed her earpiece.

...UPDATE January 22, 11:45 AM: The London Times has confirmed our theory that Beyoncé was, in fact, lip syncing. See the video via YouTube.

UPDATE January 22, 12:10 PM: "We don't know why Beyoncé decided to use prerecorded music," a spokesperson for the Marine Corps Band told us this morning. "All music [for inaugural ceremonies] is prerecorded as a matter of course, and that's something we've done for years and years. The Marine Band did perform live throughout the ceremony but we received last-minute word that Beyoncé wanted to use the recording." The spokesperson also added that everyone knows Beyoncé is a gifted singer, and her decision has no bearing on her musical ability.

http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/afterhours/inauguration-2013/did-beyonce-lip-sync-the-star-spangled-banner.php

[AndyA]

1. I just kept thinking about the Saturday Night Live skit

with Kate McKinnon playing Ann Romney, where she talked about being a Beyoncé fan.

[NYC_SKP]

2. A non-issue, IMO.

An interesting bit of trivial, but not a shocking revelation.

Wondering if the RW will make it into an issue.

[kelliekat44]

120. + 1 million! nt

[Angry Dragon]

3. If you can not sing live then don't even show up

just play the recoding and call it good

[Sugarcoated]

36. Exactly

[jberryhill]

41. Whether someone can sing live on a given date and temperature...

...is a different story.

People are, unfortunately, not machines.

One of the hazards of live inaugural performances is the temperature. James Taylor's guitar, for example, sounded to me as if it had been in the cold too long and not re-tuned. Musical instruments warp from thermal effects, and singers can develop throat problems.

[Angry Dragon]

45. These people earn millions per year while

the marching bands in the parade can play their instruments

My opinion: give the people a live preformance or don't bother showing up

[Sugarcoated]

50. I couldn't agree more.

It's like being punked . . . supposed to be live, but it's not. I've lost a lot of respect for Beyonce.

[jberryhill]

121. Unless her vocal chord insurer believes otherwise

Her vocal chords are insured to the tune of a gazillion dollars. If the coverage has restrictions on temperature and humidity that would otherwise void her policy, then sing she can't.

[jberryhill]

51. The problem is....

Yes, players in marching bands can indeed play their instruments, so long as they keep playing them.

The problem with bands and cold temperatures is _not_ playing the instrument for a stretch of time, and then having to play it after it has equilibrated to the local temperature.

[louis-t]

65. What are you talking about? I was amazed at how

in tune his guitar was. The sound was great. Did he do more than one song? I only heard 'America the Beautiful' or whatever it was.

[Demoiselle]

119. I'm with you, jberryhill..

I'm a James Taylor fan (yes, I admit it) but I've certainly heard him sound better.
Beyonce was singing a far more demanding song (it's a killer to sing, even in a chorus) and she uses a whole lot more of herself, vocally. Anyway, I thought she sounded wonderful, and I would have hated it if the cold, stress, a misbehaving mic, whatever, had distracted us from the beauty of the event itself.

[Le Taz Hot]

110. Yep.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. Many performances at Inaugurals are pre-recorded due to the really awful conditions and the cold.

Her version was wonderful,live or not. From the last inauguration:
"The somber, elegiac tones before President Obama’s oath of office at the inauguration on Tuesday came from the instruments of Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman and two colleagues. But what the millions on the Mall and watching on television heard was in fact a recording, made two days earlier by the quartet and matched tone for tone by the musicians playing along.

The players and the inauguration organizing committee said the arrangement was necessary because of the extreme cold and wind during Tuesday’s ceremony."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/arts/music/23band.html

[LTR]

12. It is common

Also done at big events like the Super Bowl.

However, a part of me is a little skeptical about the lip-synching. First, the news originally came from the Times of London, which is a Murdoch newspaper that pretends to not be trashy. In addition, read the comment left by a sound engineer experienced in this sort of thing:

http://www.gawker.com/5978019/?post=56487851

In addition, Beyonce may be drop-dead gorgeous, but she can also sing her ass off. I'm not big on current pop music, but I can tell she's the real deal.

[Sugarcoated]

35. If she can sing her ass off

then she should've. What a disappointment. It's all about the perfect presentation, when it should be about the heart that comes through. I like the imperfections of a real performance.

[Bake]

72. Exactamundo!

How many takes did she need in the studio to get it right? Makes you wonder.

Whitney Houston NAILED IT, LIVE, no lip syncing. Nobody has ever done it better.

Bake

[Quezacoatl]

82. Whitney also lip-synced her Super Bowl performance

[Bake]

94. Got a link to that?

I wasn't aware that she lip synced it.

Bake

[obamanut2012]

106. She most certainly did -- almost everyone does

I know for sure the Dixie Chicks didn't, and I THINK Kelly Clarkson didn't, but basically 99% of everyone singing it at big events sing along to their track and into a dead mike.

It really is a non story.

[Bake]

115. It appears you are correct!

I had no idea. And I am so disappointed!! Nobody does it for real anymore.



Bake

[Sugarcoated]

97. And on the other side of it

how much more phenomenal could her vocal been if she'd been actually singing, there in the moment, feeling the energy of the moment and the crowd. She cheated herself as well as us.

[obamanut2012]

108. Houston lipsyned that rendition

Just like 99% of everyone else singing it at big events.

[CJCRANE]

44. Exactly, if this comes from a Murdoch paper

then I want verification from somewhere else (preferably my own eyes and ears).

[bama_blue_dot]

48. She would have shot this report down

by now, if it wasn't accurate..

[TwilightGardener]

5. That's lame. Kelly Clarkson officially wins the sing-off, then.

Edit to add: I am a fan of neither.

[BeyondGeography]

6. Fully agree with that

Edit to add: Me neither.

[vaberella]

9. I agree. n/t

[reformist2]

16. I loved Kelly's performance.

[Enrique]

20. or Lupe Fiasco

full disclosure: i'm a fan of none of them.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

37. I would rather have listened to the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir...

for all of the music. Except James Taylor. I dig James, the "old, white guy" who likes Obama.

[TwilightGardener]

66. Well, yeah--James Taylor was excellent--the only one up there whose

music I like. The choir was great, too. But since Clarkson and Beyonce had been directly compared, gotta give it to Clarkson--I think she actually SANG.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

68. No disagreement from me.

I had to mute Clarkson, and sat there thinking "damn, Beyonce sounds REALLY good." Now I know why.

[obamanut2012]

77. I think they lipsynced, too

The Choir's mouths were "off" to me ie out of sync.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

91. LOL, good one.

I just Googled them for the heck of it:

Burst of Brooklyn Pride With Choir’s Inaugural Performance
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/23/nyregion/brooklyn-tabernacle-choir-at-inauguration-reaches-global-audience.html?_r=0

The choir, with only a few trained musicians, is drawn from the congregation, which includes a multiracial mix of lawyers, doctors and other professionals from brownstone Brooklyn, but also former crack addicts and homeless people from other neighborhoods.

Awesome.

I say bring in a Gay Men's Chorus for the next Democratic inauguration, preferably from NYC or San Fran. Soaring voices and wingnuts twisted in a bunch -- a two-fer.

[JI7]

79. i thought James Taylor and the woman who sang Hymn republican were the best

[toshiba783]

99. Yes but...

The thing is Kelly Clarkson's vocal performance would still win, despite the pressures of live singing and difficult weather conditions. In terms of vocalists, on paper, she's in a different league - shes naturally gifted, the only current pop star that can consistently sustain g5-a5 notes live. Beyonce just can't, she doesn't even come close. She can have all of the discipline, the echo effects, the showmanship, and the connections - at the end of the day she will always be a marginally talented vocalist.

Kelly's voice may not be everyone's cup of tea, but that doesn't take away the fact that she is an impressive singer - what she can do is rare in the pop scene.

[kpete]

7. whatever....

shit happening everywhere

peace, kpete

[Mass]

8. Another ridiculous outrage.

[Bake]

73. It's neither ridiculous nor outrage.

Nobody's criticizing the President for it. Just criticizing Beyonce for lacking the guts to do it live. If we wanted to hear a recording, we'd have downloaded it.

Bake

[In_The_Wind]

10. I don't have a problem with Beyoncé using prerecorded music.

[obamanut2012]

78. Me either

And, Ms. Knowles kinda annoys me, even though she is a terrific singer.

[JohnnyLib2]

11. I'm devastated.

[WolverineDG]

13. BFD

that song is difficult to sing under the best conditions. I don't blame her with going with the recording.

[BeyondGeography]

15. Taking the earpiece out was a nice touch though

C'mon, it's funny.

[reformist2]

21. Yeah, what was that about?

[BeyondGeography]

23. It was an "I got this" moment

Don't worry, Beyonce. My son still wants to marry you.

[gateley]

29. Haha!

[Sugarcoated]

55. Like when Jeter put on that big act like he got hit by the pitcher

and the footage showed it didn't touch him, LOL

[obamanut2012]

80. Yeah, that was weird

Since she was lip syncing.

[WolverineDG]

24. I didn't even notice

lol

[NV Whino]

14. Extreme cold is not good for expensive (and possibly insured) vocal cords

I have no problem with it. And you can bet Yo Yo Ma didn't bring his best instrument either.

[jberryhill]

42. +1

It's not clear the extent to which people appreciate that. The weather had been relatively warm heading into it, but took a downturn yesterday.

[WilliamPitt]

17. It's really getting thick around here.

[CTyankee]

18. In 2009 Yo Yo Ma's performance was pre-recorded. I still wonder how he "played" but what we

heard was pre-recorded (he didn't say where but I'm guessing a studio).

[DollarBillHines]

60. And there is no way in hell he'd expose his cello to the elements.

[pinboy3niner]

19. I haven't felt so betrayed since What's-Her-Name left the Spice Girls

I hope I can survive this.

[gateley]

31. ...

some things are just too much to bear.

[TeamPooka]

22. It's a raging flu season. She may have felt a cold coming on. And singing in extreme cold

weather is not a good thing for a singer to do.

[MineralMan]

25. Neither Did I.

I just hummed along with the music.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

26. Ok.

I'm sure glad that scandal has been exposed. What other horrors can we expect to come to light in the coming days?

[reformist2]

27. My theory is Beyonce chickened out - she was afraid she wouldn't be as good as Kelly.

[JI7]

87. i think Kelly actually has a better voice but Beyonce's songs are better

[Buzz Clik]

28. We went through this last time. I didn't care then, either.

I don't care that the Women of the House had some photoshopped in.

It doesn't matter.

[joeybee12]

30. I bet Christina Aguilera had thought of that...nt

[Politicalboi]

32. Typical

She may have forgotten her magic mic that makes her voice tolerable. She is a joke. Another soon to be forgotten POS who thinks her shit don't stink.

[2Design]

33. Cold - it is all recorded ahead of time - they did this last time too

[Sugarcoated]

34. So she cheated

I'll take natural and real over phony, thank you

[ismnotwasm]

38. Hmm

I've never really listened to her before, and recorded or not she has a beautiful voice.

[ecstatic]

39. I don't know about that. The first few words were low/barely audible

and then when she moved closer to the mic, she was louder. If a prerecorded version was playing, it was too low to be of significance.

[Beaverhausen]

40. Wow! I usually always catch that. She is a pro lip-syncher.

I hate that anthem. It's not easy for anyone to sing.

[Rex]

43. Wait for it...a few more seconds...

almost there...sigh...NOPE, just cannot muster up enough poutrage over this. Sorry!

[damnedifIknow]

46. After Meatloaf at that Romney rally

it's probably required that all singers lip sync. What was that?

[Rex]

49. OH wow! I missed that one!

Really? MEATLOAF? HOW DID I MISS THAT? I wonder if he sang, 'I'd Lie For You'?

[pinboy3niner]

54. Video:

[demmiblue]

57. Link (Warning: do not take a sip of anything before viewing)

[Bigbluebrush]

103. Meatloaf is to songs as Bush is to wars

[Egalitarian Thug]

47. Another manufactured celebrity.

Although I do give her some credit for at least trying to learn once she was properly marketed, so many of these fake artists never even bother.

[Rex]

52. I am glad you used that term.

I hate these manufactured celebrities. They are nothing more now than a brand - like Coca-Cola or Starbucks.

[Sugarcoated]

58. When singers and musicians stoop to pre-recordings at live performances

they're no longer an artist, they're a "performer".

[reformist2]

59. Beyonce did have nice-looking hair. ;)

[Sugarcoated]

63. She did

but took a lot of hair extensions

[Rex]

64. Very bad lip-syncing on SNL by Brittany Spears comes to mind.

Another Brand imo...kinda like Jessica Simpson or any Kardasian. All superficialness and no substance left. Like an empty soda can.

[Egalitarian Thug]

61. What really annoys me is that there are so many really talented people that

can't break through the industry firewalls.

I lived in LA for many years and worked (peripherally) in the entertainment industry for much of that time. Believe me, there are literally thousands of stunningly talented people in every art that we will never know of just because they don't have the right parents or won't fuck the right people.

[TwilightGardener]

67. Mostly, they don't look like models.

Today, if you sing like a bird but are average looking, you're going to be a big hit at your church, and nowhere else. Janis Joplin couldn't happen today.

[Sugarcoated]

70. +1,000,000,000

[NYC Liberal]

53. There's a big difference between always lipsyncing because you can't sing,

and doing it occasionally because of extenuating circumstances like technical reasons or the weather.

A big difference.

[obamanut2012]

84. Yup

[Sugarcoated]

111. Yet when an artist is caught doing this

you start to wonder how many other times they've done it. No integrity.

[robinlynne]

56. i doubt Aretha Franklin lip synced. nt

[CJCRANE]

62. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

nt

[lpbk2713]

69. You people leave her ALONE!!11!

An I'm series.

[maryland native]

71. Keeping it in tune

I read a while ago that most musicians at this event "sync" because the weather makes it so hard to keep the instruments tuned.

Maybe the voice is hard to keep in tune when it is cold.

Either way, she sings a lot better than me. I can carry a tune, but only in the shower.

[obamanut2012]

85. The acoustics are also horrible there

And, you can't "hear" yourself. Plus, it's usually cold. Plus, the "Banner" sucks as a song.

[RedCappedBandit]

74. The question is, how much money did it cost taxpayers to listen to a recording?

[WinkyDink]

76. O, FGS. Maybe that's the question to Pus Limbaugh.

[RedCappedBandit]

83. Who cares what Limbaugh has to say?

I just thought it was an interesting question. Personally, if I went to the inauguration it wouldn't be to watch Beyonce sing, that's for sure, thus I wouldn't/don't care whatsoever what she chooses to do. But lip syncing under the pretense that you're performing live is kind of a scam. I guess we're not allowed to discuss such minor considerations on internet forums.

[obamanut2012]

86. FFS

[RedCappedBandit]

95. Oh relax

A trivial response to a trivial thread. Not like its actually a big deal

[obamanut2012]

105. It isn't a trivial response, it's a dig

As a non fan of Beyonce's music and personality, I don't give a damn if she lipsynced. It's what 99% of everyone does when they sing the anthem at a big deal event. Not only was my money not wasted, I also don't think they get paid anything but expenses.

[RedCappedBandit]

107. It wasn't intended as a dig

I don't care one bit what Beyonce does. I was merely being sarcastic. No need to worry about it. And I also have no idea what kind of compensation these 'artists' get for performing at such ceremonies, if any.

But I would find it ironic if they were paid to perform without, actually, uhm, performing.

[obamanut2012]

75. Almost everyone prerecords it

And lipsyncs to the track.

Only a very few actual sing it live. The Dixie Chicks didn't, and I THINK Kelly Clarkson didn't.

I don't see this as big deal, except for people saying Clarkson and Taylor sucked and Beyonce rocked it.

[Sugarcoated]

96. She actually didn't rock it, though

It was pretend rocking it. Kelly's vocal wasn't perfect, or the best I've ever heard her, but she had the guts to go out there and really sing the song. It was raw and heartfelt and real. Though both women are crazy talented, I'm not a big fan of their music, FWIW, but I lost respect for Beyonce. How many other performances has she lip-synced to and no one knew?

[obamanut2012]

104. You didn't read what I wrote

It only makes a difference for posters who have said Clarkson sucked (she didn't), and that Beyonce brought it (which she did -- she performed, and she recorded the track).

Seriously, EVERYONE prerecords the "Banner," and very few don';t use the track. The Dixie Chicks didn't, and I don't think Clarkson did when she sang it at a game. But, it is VERY RARE for someone singing the Star Spangled Banner not to lipsync to a track. The famous Whitney House Banner rendition was also lipsynced, and that was sold as a single.

Beyonce can sing quite well live. I see this as a total non issue, except for commentators wishing to criticize yesterday's proceedings in some way.

[Sugarcoated]

114. You wrote: "she rocked it" and I'm saying she pretended to rock it.

Which she did. It doesn't matter if a lot of singers lip sync at these big outdoor events, it's about integrity. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter that much, but what a lot of people now wonder, is how many other times has she pretended to sing in what are advertised as live performances.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

81. Then they should have just saved all that taxpayer money and played a CD. nt

[pinboy3niner]

88. Best comment

(Credit to Sean O'Neal)

"...this revelation instantly renders Obama’s presidency illegitimate for another four years."

http://www.avclub.com/articles/beyonce-revealed-to-have-faked-singing-at-the-inau,91459/

[Mike Nelson]

89. Nothing against her or the practice, but...

...this is a "live" gig.

[BainsBane]

90. CNN is treating this like it's major investigative journalism

They literally just said "It's not the crime. It's the cover up."


So much for real news.

[Cali_Democrat]

92. Impeach!

[pinboy3niner]

93. LOL!

See #88.

[JoeyT]

98. Meh.

I believe we may have just found the silliest thing one could possibly complain about happening at the inauguration. We should probably stop finding new things now, lest we rend the fabric of space-time and wake up tomorrow to President Barbara Bush.

The only way this story could possibly be amusing is if a huge dose of irony were injected. Like if she got caught lip-syncing "Girl You Know It's True" or something.

[toshiba783]

100. Beyonce is plastic

People need to stop defending Beyonce, she is not a reflection of Obama and this is not a suprise to those who actually follow pop culture. She is a notirous phoney. She has a reputation for stealing writting credits, songs, paying for grammys, and just about anything that will enhance her resume.

Hey look she even faked being pregnant:

Her association with Obama is all for the sake of self interest.

[BlueStreak]

101. Boston Pops was pre-recorded at the Super Bowl a few years ago too.

Welcome to the modern world where nothing is authentic.

[patrice]

102. Does she have the flu?

[The Blue Flower]

109. I still say BFD

Anyone who sings knows what cold air does to your pipes.

[reformist2]

112. I agree. I couldn't care less about Beyonce.

[6000eliot]

113. Her voice was clearly autotuned.

[RebelOne]

116. Give this topic a rest. It has already been all over all the news outlets.

And I am sick of hearing about it. Big deal if she was lip syncing.

[BeyondGeography]

118. Then why did you just kick a day-old thread?

[srican69]

117. I know .. she was lip syncing to Ted Nugent's falsetto voice

such a shame isn't it?