Rolling Stone reports:
Beyoncé Sings National Anthem Live at Super Bowl Press Conference
‘Any questions?’ pop star says with a laugh
Beyoncé opened a Super Bowl press conference on Thursday afternoon in New Orleans with a rousing rendition of the national anthem – and this time it was definitely live. After a rapturous round of applause by the media in attendance, the singer took questions about her upcoming Super Bowl gig as well as her controversial lip-syncing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at President Obama’s second inauguration last week.
“I am a perfectionist. One thing about me, I practice until my feet bleed, and I did not have time to rehearse with the orchestra,” Beyoncé said. “It was a live television show and a very, very important, emotional show for me – one of my proudest moments. Due to the weather, due to the delay, due to no proper sound check, I did not feel comfortable taking a risk. It was about my president and the inauguration, and I did not want to take away from that. I decided to go with a pre-recorded track, which is very common in the music industry. And I am very proud of my performance.”
Beyoncé added that she will be “absolutely singing live” at her Super Bowl performance this coming Sunday. “I am well rehearsed. I will absolutely be singing live. This is what I was born to do.”
It’s bad enough that our National Anthem is turned into an episode of The Voice on a regular basis–merely seen as a chance for singers to showcase their abilities of song embellishment. But here it was actually used merely to make a point–to give the media the finger in reaction to criticism the singer received for her previous lip-synched performance.
I guess the song really isn’t as sacred as I grew up believing. Because contrary to its lyrics, which suggest it’s a song about pride in the brave, indomitable American spirit, it’s usually rendered with all the faux agony and ecstasy of a breakup song or Marvin Gaye seduction anthem.
If we do need a new National Anthem, as some suggest, it’s because we need to start from scratch. We’ve added too many superfluous spangles to the current one.
Yes, I have a question, Beyoncé: What’s up with rehearsal causing bleeding feet? Does that happen when you sing with too much sole?
Every Moment Has A Song 
Jan 31, 2013 @ 19:12:42
You’re right, it is a shame when the National Anthem is mangled by Aguilera-esque divas. Sometimes it’s almost stressful to listen to. Great soleful pun by the way. I’m sure she has a good podiatrist on retainer.
Jan 31, 2013 @ 19:14:41
LOLing at your comment!
Jan 31, 2013 @ 21:14:25
too much sole !!?? Funny though, when I sing it makes people’s ears bleed.
Oh, agreed on overspangling the Banner. It’s a great song, just sing the song.
Jan 31, 2013 @ 22:18:54
And you might ask your sister how to handle singing and painful foot problems: I remember that she had to take off her shoes to sing Ave Maria at your grandmother’s funeral!
I think we need a new anthem. But I think we have enough guns too, and don’t need a song about bombs.
(Completely befudling the train of thought here…)
Jan 31, 2013 @ 22:19:35
That wasn’t anonymous, that was Mike C
Jan 31, 2013 @ 22:21:30
All discussion is welcome, fuddling, befuddling or otherwise.
Jan 31, 2013 @ 22:22:19
I didn’t know that about Grandma’s funeral. Weird.
Feb 02, 2013 @ 20:41:42
You could look it up.
Or ask her.
I was there in “the choir” and had a close up view.
I know. Weird. I don’t think she could exactly explain it either, but at least her feet didn’t bleed.