Beyonce’s Inaugural National Anthem Lip-Synced

Barack Obama Sworn In As U.S. President For A Second Term

The biggest story in Washington today has nothing to do with the National Debt, immigration, gun control, or world politics. No, the biggest story today was all about the fact that Beyonce faked the National Anthem at yesterday’s ceremonial Inauguration:

Obama’s got his teleprompter, and Beyoncé may have had her tape recorder.

The diva lip-synced “The Star-Spangled Banner” during Monday’s inaugural ceremony for President Barack Obama, CNN reported after confirming a Times of London report, which attributed a spokeswoman for the Marine Corp Band as its source.

(…)

In a statement to POLITICO, a spokesperson for the Marine Band (which accompanied the singer) wrote: “The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) requested that the Marine Band accompany Beyonce Knowles-Carter in the performance of the Star-Spangled Banner at the 2013 Inaugural Ceremony. However, there was no opportunity for Ms. Knowles-Carter to rehearse with the Marine Band before the Inauguration so it was determined that a live performance by the band was ill-advised for such a high-profile event.”

The statement continued: “Each piece of music scheduled for performance in the Inauguration is pre-recorded for use in case of freezing temperatures, equipment failure, or extenuating circumstances. Regarding Ms. Knowles-Carter’s vocal performance, no one in the Marine Band is in a position to assess whether it was live or pre-recorded.”

It doesn’t appear the Grammy Award-winning singer was trying to hide it. She posted photos to her Instagram account before the performance of her in a recording studio holding sheet music for the song, as The Washingtonian noted.

Not the biggest story in the world, of course. Especially considering the fact that yesterday’s pomp and circumstance was completely irrelevant legally. Per the Constitution, President Obama was sworn into office for his second term on Sunday just before Noon in a private ceremony, covered by the media, by Chief Justice Roberts. So, phony Inauguration, phony National Anthem. Seems appropriate somehow.

FILED UNDER: Entertainment, Popular Culture, US Politics, , , , , , , , , ,
Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.

Comments

  1. Not Likely says:

    So, phony Inauguration, phony National Anthem. Seems appropriate somehow.

    Buck up Doug, you’ll get another shot.

  2. Just 'nutha ig'rant cracker says:

    Doug, your “saltine”ness is showing. Really, I would have expected better, but I was here for the “Obama is just a windbag” rant yesterday, so I’m not surprised.

    You did leave out the obligatory references to Kenya, though. Wassamatta, don’t like who you’re standing next to?

  3. Neil Hudelson says:

    I don’t know if there is anything in this world I could give less a shit about.

  4. OzarkHillbilly says:

    Beyonce faked the National Anthem at yesterday’s ceremonial Inauguration:

    She didn’t “fake” it, she performed it, then later she played that performance back to us while she danced with a microphone.

  5. G.A. says:

    I am glad she did it:)

  6. C. Clavin says:

    Zzzzzzzzzz….

  7. Tyrell says:

    That’ s nothing. Obama’ s speech was written by people who are controlling him, the news media, and the congress.

  8. aFloridian says:

    Definitely the non-story of the week.

  9. SKI says:

    There is a major failure of logic in the quoted article.

    First it says this:

    The statement continued: “Each piece of music scheduled for performance in the Inauguration is pre-recorded for use in case of freezing temperatures, equipment failure, or extenuating circumstances.

    Then it follows with this:

    It doesn’t appear the Grammy Award-winning singer was trying to hide it. She posted photos to her Instagram account before the performance of her in a recording studio holding sheet music for the song, as The Washingtonian noted.

    You can’t use the fact that she pre-recorded the song (second quote) as evidence that she lip-synced if ALL music gets pre-recorded as a precaution whether it is intended to be performed live or not (first quote).

  10. al-Ameda says:

    So, phony Inauguration, phony National Anthem. Seems appropriate somehow.

    I’m sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and Gary Johnson.

    By the way, I personally would have substituted a tape of Marvin Gaye doing, “Got to give it up” over a lip-synched version of the National Anthem. Much better groove.