The weird and complicated history of America’s national anthem

“The magic of history is that the simple, received wisdom we have turns out to be just one part of the story, and we discover a lot about ourselves when we go deeper into it.” – Mark Clague

In this episode of Deviate, Rolf deep-dives into the Star Spangled Banner, covering topics including the origins and historical backdrop for the writing of Star Spangled Banner (9:20); the irony of using a British melody for the United States national anthem, and the “lost stanzas” of the original poem (23:12); the song’s complicated history, including specific criticisms (35:00); and the evolution of the song in tandem with our national identity (44:00).

This week’s expert, Mark Clague (@usmusicscholar), is a musicology professor at the University of Michigan. He has researched all forms of music in the United States; his recent projects focus on the United States national anthem.

For more information on Mark, please check out his Star Spangled Music website, his Star Spangled Songbook, his Poets & Patriots music compilation, and his podcast.

Notable Links

• Francis Scott Key (lawyer and poet)
• War of 1812
• Fort McHenry
• Woodstock (festival)
• To Anacreon in Heaven (song)
• Broadside ballad (music type)
• Gentlemen’s Club (traditional British social club)
• Anacreontic Society (music-themed gentlemen’s club)
• Jimi Hendrix (musician)
• Alexander Hamilton (Founding Father)
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (composer)
• Joseph Haydn (composer)
• When the Warrior Returns by Francis Scott Key (poem)
• Oh Say, Do You Hear (“Abolitionist Star Spangled Banner”)
• Corps of Colonial Marines
• America (Neil Diamond song)
• God Bless the USA (Lee Greenwood song)
• Performances and adaptations of The Star-Spangled Banner

Mentioned renditions of the Star Spangled Banner

• Marvin Gaye rendition of Star Spangled Banner (at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game)
• “The All-Star Anthem,” from Grantland
• Jimi Hendrix rendition of Star Spangled Banner (at the Woodstock Festival)
• “When Jimi Hendrix Protested the National Anthem on a National Stage,” From SPIN
• José Feliciano rendition of Star Spangled Banner (at 1968 MLB World Series)
• “A Polarizing Performance by Jose Feliciano in 1968,” from the New York Times
• Whitney Houston rendition of Star Spangled Banner (at 1991 Super Bowl)
• “When Whitney Hit the High Note,” from ESPN

The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.

Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.