First of all, let me say that this year’s Super Bowl was spectacular – the pageantry, the visual effects, and the almost frenzied activity. All who were involved did amazing jobs. I have no idea how all the non-football game production ever gets done in the first place. There is so much spectacle packed into small time increments. And the performances occur in real time – unbelievable.

And yet…. Even with Lea Michele, Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas, Slash, and Usher performing, it seemed like something was missing. Some viewers felt vaguely dissatisfied.

It wasn’t that anyone involved lacked skill. Most of us performers wish we had the smallest fraction of what it takes to be selected to present on such a prestigious stage. But with all the visual effects, the choreography, and the amazing production – we missed the songs themselves. I think “Glee’s” Lea Michele came closest to allowing the song chosen for her, “America the Beautiful,” to communicate through her. As audience members, at the end of a special song we want to feel the melody, sense the emotion, and respond to an overall effect. At the end of a great rendition we want that song to be bouncing in our brains. Then we think about the performer and that he or she did a great job.

Christina Aguilera forgot a line to the National Anthem. Forgetting a line to a song, regardless of how important, could happen to anyone. But in Aguilera’s case, it seemed that she was so involved with performing the song, demonstrating her vocal power and versatility, that she didn’t let the song sing through her. My advice would be simple, sing so that people think about your song first; then they will think about you.

As far as the Halftime Show is concerned, it looked great. There was energy and synchronized activity exploding in a hundred different directions. But this morning, I don’t have a tune running through my head, I don’t have a lyric spinning through my consciousness.

Admittedly, everyone involved with the Super Bowl is asked to do things which are virtually impossible – capture the attention of millions, be amazing, be spectacular, be everything to everyone and more. And they must do everything in a very limited amount of time — like I said, virtually impossible.

But in the end, I only ask one thing of a musical performer – to play me a song, a really good song that I will feel long after the performer has left the stage. — Bob Tatum

Sound Traveler had a great time performing for the Blankets & Baskets 4 Brevard benefit on Saturday. We’d also like to direct guitarists to Wholesale Music right across the street from the park. Gene has some wonderful instruments, and he practically has a museum of musical memorabilia that he will share with you when you visit.

To respond to this text, click on the title, scroll down and tell us about what you think!

5 Comments to “SongTravelin’: 02.07.11 — Let the Songs Sing at the Super Bowl”

• February 7, 2011 at 9:43 am
  Laurence says:

  I think the Super Bowl should be about football. All this hype about the performers and the commercials is just crazy. If I want to watch a concert, I’m not going to buy tickets to a football game. Let the guys on the field play football. That’s the only important thing.
• February 7, 2011 at 9:59 am
  LowCountry Joe says:

  There is “NEVER EVER” a reason to forget a line in our National Anthem “PERIOD”. There is no excuse permitted. She is supposed to be a professional but quite obviously is nothing but a pinhead.
• February 7, 2011 at 12:38 pm
  Linda Tatum says:

  Bob, great play-by-play analysis!! You captured in words exactly my feelings about the music!
• February 7, 2011 at 1:20 pm
  Bob says:

  Thanks for sharing that. I didn’t know if Patty and I were the only ones who felt that way.
• February 7, 2011 at 5:34 pm
  Patty says:

  There just didn’t seem to be any focus to the spectacle. There was all bling and no real point to the whole thing. What a waste of a world stage. My 8th grade students weren’t impressed, my colleagues of various ages weren’t impressed, and once I talk with my parents about it, I’m sure I’ll learn they weren’t impressed, either. So I wonder…exactly who WERE they trying to impress? Everyone on earth? That’s hard to do. I have a quote on my board right now by Bill Cosby – “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”

  Without a message of some sort, what is the point to art?

  Just one thing I want to clarify: Bob, you say only guitarists should go to Wholesale Music? I must disagree. Gene has everything from percussion doo-dads (including a miniature hammered dulcimer from Russia) to a steal on a Bach Strad trumpet! Guitarists aren’t the only musicians, you know…