Ray Stevens: Patriotism and "There's a Star Spangled Banner"...

In keeping with my tradition I post one or several blog entries centering around Independence Day with a Ray Stevens connection. I've posted about the two versions of "There's a Star Spangled Banner" several times over the decade...but in case you're new to the music of Ray Stevens and aren't even aware of this song then this blog entry will explain some things. Ray co-wrote, with Buddy Kalb, "There's a Star Spangled Banner" and it appeared on Ray's 1989 album for MCA Records, Beside Myself. The song told about an American P.O.W. in Beirut and how his hope for freedom never disappeared thanks to his pride and patriotism in the U.S. Flag and the military. It's a pretty emotional, moving ballad about the flag. Ray partially re-wrote the song in 1991 and recorded an alternate version of "There's a Star Spangled Banner" for Curb Records. The first half of the song tells a different story. In 1989 we're told about the P.O.W. in Beirut but in the 1991 rendition we're told about all of the various battles that the U.S. Flag has appeared in throughout the course of history. When Ray re-recorded the song in 1991 for the Curb Records Greatest Hits album the Gulf War and the aftermath was still in the headlines. There was a lengthy build-up in the fall of 1990 and the U.S. Military entered the war on January 17th 1991 in the Persian Gulf. A cease fire occurred a month later, February 28th 1991, but the instability in the region continues. In the meantime, though, the ceasefire in February 1991 enabled a declaration of victory for the U.S. as our military completed what it's stated mission had been and the patriotism that was all around was hard to miss. As mentioned Curb Records issued a Greatest Hits album on Ray. The album hit in April 1991 and it included the alternate rendition of "There's a Star Spangled Banner". Now, then, I'm going to embed the audio track of the 1989 recording of the song and then I'll be posting a link to the audio of the 1991 recording.

Wasn't that 1989 recording of "There's a Star Spangled Banner" incredible?? Now, don't forget to click the link below and listen to the 1991 alternate recording...it's just as riveting but with an entirely different story about the U.S. Flag...you're going to love both takes on "There's a Star Spangled Banner".

1991 Recording