I usually save this video post for July 4th, but in light of the incredulously horrific rendition of the National Anthem from last weekend’s NBA All Star Game, I needed to call out Marvin a full four and a half months early. A few break-down thoughts to consider as you watch:
1. This is Los Angeles, 1983. The coolest guy, singing for the coolest showcase of the newly-emerged coolest sport, in the coolest city, at the coolest time in that city’s history. The contextual background for peak cool was set, and Marvin delivered.
2. Look how Marvin steps to the mic and starts the song. SO. FREAKING. COOL. The tailored double breasted suit with the pinned collar shirt that looks like he coulda been a banker. Flared out pocket square. The natural beard. The mirrored aviators! And the floating strut to the mic, including a whirl and subtle crowd acknowledgement. Birth of the cool.
2a. This clip solidifies my commitment to #beardgang. And it ends the eternal debate in my head about wayfarers v. aviators.
2b. The opening word/note of the national anthem – the “oh..” sets the tone for where the artist wants to take the audience. Soaring, croony, operatic, whatever. We usually know from the beginning. Marvin is SO cool that in taking his time to get to the mic he totally misses the downbeat and never says “oh”, and starts with “say”…and never missed a beat. Didn’t throw him off a bit. Brought it as though he meant to do it. And for all we know, he’s so cool that he may have meant it that way.
3. Clearly, at the beginning, it was unclear what was happening. The beat was different. It was apparent that Marvin was stepping out of the box here. The uncertainty – the “what the heck is he doing!?” is so deliciously tangible at the start! The crowd shrieks, cause it’s Marvin, but at the :43 second mark we see Pat Reilly and Kareem Abdul Jabbar looking like “oh snap what is this”, and “come on Marvin, this better be worth the risk…”
3a. Other reaction shots are priceless. I’ve seen other camera angles where the crowd members look at each other knowing that something special is happening, but not sure what to do with it. The 1:10 mark where the Denver Nugget is unsure whether to bop or sway, while the Lakers’ Jamaal Wilkes is in full respectability politics mode, standing board stiff and still thinking “don’t f this up, Marvin”. Check out the 1:52 mark where the Sonic and Laker break their bowed-head reverence for a moment to look up at each other like “yo…this is special”.
4. Marvin was a deeply devout Christian. In speaking on this rendition, he knew that he wanted to do something different, and prayed to God that his version “moved mens’ souls.” Note at the 1:12 mark, he follows “through the perilous fight” with an ad-libbed “oh Lord…” that is not by accident. Later toward the end, (2:15) he doesn’t sing the traditional lyric “oh say does THAT star spangled banner yet wave”. He sings “…does THY…” also not an accident. Marvin envisioned this version of the anthem as an extended prayer of thanks to God for being blessed with citizenship to this country – flaws and all – and we see that in these two subtle linguistic easter eggs.
5. 2:04 mark: Marvin knows he’s pulled it off and as he moves into the exigesis, he does a sly, extra-cool hand rub like “yeah I got em”. And at the 2:27 mark, at the LAST stanza at the song, the crowd resoundingly agrees, finding the beat and clapping in unison. Aside from a few isolated shrieks throughout, It took them until the end to finally catch on, and know that they had seen something special. And after “home of the brave”, Marvin gives us a final melismatic “Oh lord”. Peak.
6. This year’s All Star Game marked the 35th anniversary of the Marvin performance, and it was in the same city. Maybe I’m a nostalgic quasi-historian, but it would have been nice to try to approximate, recreate, or pay homage to this rendition. I only half-jokingly suggested a Marvin hologram. But anything would have been better than what we got.
6a. Who coulda pulled off an homage? I’m gonna say Ursherbaby would have been the guy. Or maybe an Ursherbaby-Timberlake duet? Now we’re cooking.
7. Marvin had 13 months to live after this performance. In my mind, this is how I remember him. A wily veteran at the height of his powers. A grown ass man rooted in his gospel and soul traditions, but not afraid of innovation, artistic license, and growth. And ultimately, an artist and a man profoundly guided by his faith.
Shine on, Marvin. Happy black history month, yall.
