“It’s the hardest song to sing”
I used to think the exact same thing until I punching around on late night TV. Remember, the music began life as a pub drinking song. So you can imagine a bunch of men singing whatever words went with it.
At any rate, I’m punching through the channels and Kelsey Grammer Is on Letterman. Not a fan of Letterman, but Grammer sometimes say something interesting so I leave it there. Obviously the interview is finishing up, and Letterman asks Grammer if he would sing the national anthem. I’m thinking it must some set up for a gag. Nope. Grammer stands up and sings the best version of the song I have ever heard.
He starts out really low, when he gets to what are usually the high parts, he is only up to a normal voice (remember the music was written for a bunch of MEN singing in a bar). Instead of sounding like his vocal cards are about to be ripped out, Grammer just storms through it effortlessly.
I had no idea Kelsey Grammer sang, and I am now convinced, the song has been sung in the wrong key for 200+ years.
How interesting. About what year would that have been? Maybe it is on YouTube.