Beyoncé Lip Syncing National Anthem? Does it matter?

Arts and Entertainment Editor

Published: Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Updated: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 16:01

View the story "Mattingly: Beyoncé Lip Syncing National Anthem? Does it matter?" on StorifyMattingly: Beyoncé Lip Syncing National Anthem? Does it matter?Reports surfaced today that Beyoncé did sing to a pre-recorded track of the National Anthem at President Obama's second inaugural swearing in. Despite criticism, this is not the first time this has happened, and it definitely won't be the last. Storified by George Mattingly· Wed, Jan 23 2013 10:24:05Singer and new mom Beyoncé wowed the large audience on Monday's inaugural ceremony with here soulful rendition of the National Anthem. There's just one thing: she wasn't singing.

Reports surfaced on Tuesday that confirmed that Beyoncé sang to a pre-recorded track she made the day before, according to reports from CNN. The singer also posted a picture of herself in a studio with the anthem sheet music in front of her. NecolebitchieOf course, this brought an onslaught of criticism from those who felt betrayed by Beyoncé's performance. Beyonce lip synching the National Anthem, eh? WELCOME TO OBAMA'S AMERICA, YOU GUYS! YOU VOTED FOR THIS!Jake FiltonBeyonce Lip-Synced the National Anthem? I'm shattered.Dirk CottonBeyonce lip synced the national anthem yesterday at Obama's inauguration. I'm disappointed.عمر العليان For those of you who are upset, angry or 'betrayed' by this: calm down. This is not the first time this has happened and it definitely won't be the last. For years, artists have lip-synced to pre-recorded songs. According to the Washington Post, Whitney Houston's 1991 perormance of the National Anthem, which is still held as the best performance of the song, was sung to a pre-recorded track. I don't know, but it does not seem like the crowd was angry about that. Whitney Houston - The Star Spangled Banner (Live 1/27/91 @ Super Bowl XXV)partytimedjs1985The fact is that just because Beyoncé sang to a pre-recorded track does not mean she is not a credible singer (raise your hand if you have a Grammy). Just because an artist pre-records an album does not mean you will not buy it. Although it was a live event, for musicians, there are a lot of factors that make for a good or bad live performance including weather conditions, performing with a live band, among others. Imagine if the performance had gone wrong when had she performed the song live? There would have been even more outrage than now. Singing to a pre-recorded track ensured a perfect performance of the song, with virtually no imperfections, which was appropriate for the event. I mean, she was performing for the president after all.

So, before you waste your time getting angry, remember this is not the first time and it will definitely will not be the last.

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