Did Luke Bryan Read the National Anthem Lyrics Off His Hand at the MLB All-Star Game?
Country fans who were excited to watch Luke Bryan sing the National Anthem at the 2012 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night were left feeling confused by the end of his rendition. Without fail, the ‘Drunk on You’ singer hit all the notes and impressed baseball fans inside Kauffman Stadium — but those watching closely at home noticed that the singer appeared to be reading something, like the lyrics to the song, from his palm as he sang.
Screwing up the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ — especially before a big game of America’s pastime — is a huge faux pas, so we have to give it to Bryan for being prepared. Many before him haven’t been so lucky. Despite being a chart-topping performer, we imagine that the Georgia native was also undoubtedly nervous to perform for millions on national television, which is understandable, as it can be daunting.
And while Bryan’s biggest fans — and country fans in general — will probably let it slide that the singer may not have memorized the words to the 200-year-old song, unfortunately, baseball fans weren’t as kind.
“Luke Bryan sings the national anthem the way I used to take geometry tests,” one viewer posted to Twitter following Bryan’s National Anthem performance.
“I feel bad for you if you are a Luke Bryan fan…can’t believe he just sang the national anthem off the palm of his hand… #embarrassing,” another added. One baseball fanatic with lots of spare time even went as far as to create a GIF showing Bryan glancing at his palm mid-note.
In giving him the benefit of the doubt, it seems most likely that the country crooner was keeping a close eye on his watch so that he could time the words with the flyover happening inside the stadium. Whatever the case, we’re hoping all will be forgotten by the time the next big music star has a pre-game ‘oops.’
Watch Luke Bryan Sing the National Anthem at the All-Star Game