Episode Details

“The magic of history is that the simple, received wisdom we have turns out to be just one part of the story, and we discover a lot about ourselves when we go deeper into it.” – Mark Clague

In this episode of Deviate, Rolf deep-dives into the Star Spangled Banner, covering topics including the origins and historical backdrop for the writing of Star Spangled Banner (9:20); the irony of using a British melody for the United States national anthem, and the “lost stanzas” of the original poem (23:12); the song’s complicated history, including specific criticisms (35:00); and the evolution of the song in tandem with our national identity (44:00).

This week’s expert, Mark Clague (@usmusicscholar), is a musicology professor at the University of Michigan. He has researched all forms of music in the United States; his recent projects focus on the United States national anthem.

For more information on Mark, please check out his Star Spangled Music website, his Star Spangled Songbook, his Poets & Patriots music compilation, and his podcast.

Notable Links

• Francis Scott Key (lawyer and poet)
• War of 1812
• Fort McHenry
• Woodstock (festival)
• To Anacreon in Heaven (song)
• Broadside ballad (music type)
• Gentlemen’s Club (traditional British social club)
• Anacreontic Society (music-themed gentlemen’s club)
• Jimi Hendrix (musician)
• Alexander Hamilton (Founding Father)
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (composer)
• Joseph Haydn (composer)
• When the Warrior Returns by Francis Scott Key (poem)
• Oh Say, Do You Hear (“Abolitionist Star Spangled Banner”)
• Corps of Colonial Marines
• America (Neil Diamond song)
• God Bless the USA (Lee Greenwood song)
• Performances and adaptations of The Star-Spangled Banner

Mentioned renditions of the Star Spangled Banner

• Marvin Gaye rendition of Star Spangled Banner (at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game)
• “The All-Star Anthem,” from Grantland
• Jimi Hendrix rendition of Star Spangled Banner (at the Woodstock Festival)
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