MSN TV Blog - TV Buzz

Who sang the national anthem better?

FOX stars Zooey Deschanel and Demi Lovato offer up their renditions this past weekend

By Mekeisha Madden Toby Oct 29, 2012 1:58AM

'Zooey Deschanel' '/' Fox

Let's face it. Singing the national anthem is a tough job, but every year during the World Series, FOX stars have to do the honors.

 

This past weekend, the challenge fell on the talented shoulders of actress Zooey Deschanel of "New Girl" fame, and Demi Lovato from "The X Factor."

 

Bing: More on the national anthem | Zooey Deschanel | Demi Lovato 

 

Who did it better? Well, it depends on your style.  

Deschanel, 32, donned a flattering, sparkly dress and delivered a sultry version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the start of Game 3 on Saturday night when the San Francisco Giants beat the Detroit Tigers. 

'Demi Lovato' '/' FOX

 

Meanwhile, Lovato was a little more flashy and soulful. Dressed in black, the 20-year-old singer even threw in a Beyoncé-like vocal run before the start of Game 4 on Sunday night when, you guessed it, the San Francisco Giants played and beat the Detroit Tigers.

 

Plus: TV's hottest hairdos  | Reality TV's richest families 

This is the second time both women have performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the World Series.

 

So who did you like? Deschanel or Lovato? At least we know this, they both sounded better than the Battle Creek National Guard quartet.

 

"New Girl" airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX. "The X Factor" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

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34Comments
endoflarkspur
Oct 30, 2012 4:36PM
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I generally listen to only a few seconds of the National Anthem just to decide if the performer is worth listening to, and he/she/they almost never are. That was the story with the World Series singers. Pop stars are generally the worst, although there is the rare exception. I much prefer to hear it sung absolutely straight and up-tempo by a trained classical voice, or played by an instrument.
Kevin O'Connell
Oct 29, 2012 3:11PM
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What about Susan Tedeschi's version? Her version was so soulful and powerful!
Cat Daddy987
Oct 29, 2012 3:09PM
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soul and song writer Marvin Gaye  never seen another performer yet who could touch it

sdorm60
Oct 29, 2012 2:38PM
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NEITHER ONE!! They were both terrible!!! Best of the 4 days was Phillip Phillips....no one else came close!
K Z (Drbenben)
Oct 29, 2012 2:12PM
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After posting, I read about 20 other posts: landslide victory for Zooey. 
One person said it best: she simple sang, pure and simple, without making it "her's." 
She doesn't have a great voice [Whitney, Leann Rimes, Aguilera], it's just a VERY pretty voice. 
Someone (rocknclassics)
Oct 29, 2012 2:09PM
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There might have been an audible number of people impressed with Lovato's acrobatics, but not me; Dechanel's was about straight. Sorry I missed it live. Ms. Houston's version is easy to bring up, but somebody jog my memory about another performance if I don't find it on YouTube first.

 

Glad somebody brought up that quartet. Actually, it was for "God Bless America," but it was an atrocious attempt at jazzing it up. Some performers just have to keep throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks.

xylophhone
Oct 29, 2012 2:05PM
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OMFG i just listened to demi "i did not write SKYSCRAPER" lovata - she shud have let someone else sing it.   bleck. 
xylophhone
Oct 29, 2012 2:01PM
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@ Old Sales Guy says.... "I'm sorry but neither of them were worthy of being asked back. That song is sacred to me and the only one who touched by soul was Whitney Houston. Nobody but nobody has come close to representing our country like she did with her rendition. No butts about it."

 

there is NO reason to doubt this.  neither singer can even wipe the dirt from the bottom of WHITNEY's shoes - nor marvin gaye's.

 

Mekeisha Madden Toby is another MSN "writer" thinking people do not remember REAL SINGING.  

 

 

K Z (Drbenben)
Oct 29, 2012 1:52PM
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Zooey wins, easily. When Demi tried and failed to imitate Christina Aguilera, I was embarrassed for her. Zooey sang it HER way, but didn't try to change it. Plus, she's hotter.  
RedManInABlueState
Oct 29, 2012 1:48PM
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Sgt D'Arcy of the San Francisco Police Department did the best rendition of the National Anthem that I have ever heard.  I think was during the NLCS?
Joseph
Oct 29, 2012 1:38PM
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Sounds unanimous....Zoey!

 

Whoever is in charge of these events should stipulate that the song be sung the way it was written.  Matter of fact they should give them a copy of the music so that there is no misunderstanding as to how it should be sung.  Maybe, even better, they should audition for the job first!  Heck, open this thing up to the general public for auditions.  What a great promotional opportunity!

Old Sales Guy
Oct 29, 2012 1:26PM
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I'm sorry but neither of them were worthy of being asked back.  That song is sacred to me and the only one who touched by soul was Whitney Houston.  Nobody but nobody has come close to representing our country like she did with her rendition.  No butts about it.
19MP48
Oct 29, 2012 12:32PM
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The only person to sing this song the way it should be done was Whitney Houston at the Super Bowl.   All events should just play  her rendition and video from that performance.  Everyone elses version 0f the anthem is very poor. 
Norris Perry
Oct 29, 2012 12:16PM
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I've been singing the National Anthem  and God Bless America for several years at Texas Ranger games and other events. I have posted several performances on YouTube. It is always so nice to hear sports fans tell me "Thanks for doing it right and not changing it" . That is the point. It is not mine to change. It is the NATIONAL ANTHEM...not the "look at me, if famous Anthem". Do it right or don't do it at all.
Sarsvati Patel
Oct 29, 2012 12:00PM
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I wish someone that had ties to Detroit sang the national anthem instead of turning the national anthem into promotions for their respective shows.  Didn't really like either of them but atleast Zooey didn't turn the national anthem into her own ballad.
lol888
Oct 29, 2012 11:51AM
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I could only say that Demi is better than Aguilera!!  Aguilera is the worst.  Still, Zooey rules and you cannot compare  Zooey to Demi or the other divas, who only scream and screech.
Zooey sings.




lol888
Oct 29, 2012 11:45AM
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I'm a big fan of Zooey Deschannel!  I absolutely love, love her singing!  I am so glad that we still have someone like Zooey's singing.  It is just pure and simple. Nothing added like today's untalented singing with all those vibrating at the end of each notes and even screaming.
I would love to buy more of Zooey's albums!

As for Demi Lovato, I don't care for her.  Not a fan of hers. Sorry.  


bigczeck
Oct 29, 2012 11:35AM
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Lovato was absolutely terrible. For Gods sake, learn the words, and sing the song like it was written, not like some 'B' side hip/hop song. theres a cata in the neitghborhood that has a better voce than Lovato. Sober too
Neil Johnson
Oct 29, 2012 11:21AM
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I enjoyed Zooey's version better. Having spent time in Battle Creek, I was embarassed by the quartet.
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