America: An extremely bizarre country that will let you completely butcher the National Anthem in any way you see fit, provided those in the vicinity stand and respect it. You could completely fuck it by farting through a theremin, and if people salute it, it’s ok.
To wit: Prior to the start of today’s NBA Finals Game 2 match-up between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, Bay Area legend Carlos Santana was hired to perform the Star Spangled Banner at Oracle Arena.
Rock legends performing sustain-laden renditions of the Anthem is nothing new, of course. Guitarists representing groups ranging from Metallica to Tool have famously played the tune at various sporting events in years past. But what pushes this one over the line is the drums.
Yes, drums.
Alongside Santana was his wife, drummer Cindy Blackman Santana, honouring America at about 180bpm.
Carlos Santana performs the National Anthem prior to Game 2 at Oracle! #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/816qMTjwLo
— NBA (@NBA) June 4, 2018
Initial reaction to the tune has been fairly mixed. Cavs coach Tyronn Lue didn’t appear to be a fan of it.
https://twitter.com/ReggieNEG/status/1003428099504123905
Klay Thompson on the other hand was well into it.
Klay was bobbing his head to Carlos Santana performing the anthem 🤣 pic.twitter.com/K1Nwz3yfCS
— SB Nation (@SBNation) June 4, 2018
As far as general punters are concerned, there were a big heap who were very much picking up what Santana was laying down…
https://twitter.com/Tweezaintshitt/status/1003427310714777600
https://twitter.com/jgsiegel/status/1003427451265937408
Carlos Santana still just does the damn thing.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) June 4, 2018
Carlos Santana made the national anthem a banger
— rj (@arj__a) June 4, 2018
Carlos Santana with the anthem
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) June 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheMianoPan/status/1003427403044028417
Petition to have Carlos Santana perform every Star-Spangled Banner moving forward. One of the best anthems I’ve ever heard
— Matt T. #WBOS #B1GChamps (@michiganlions) June 4, 2018
Carlos Santana playing for the #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/b7RD4ePwbA
— J. Strand (@DJ_Ajaxx) June 4, 2018
…then there were those less than impressed with the whole shebang…
I dont know about the drums. should’ve had Carlos Santana play guitar only #NBAFinals
— Samuel (@Civek96) June 4, 2018
I don’t know what’s worse. Santana’s hair or this national anthem performance. Yikes.
— Jake Vielma (@jakevielma) June 4, 2018
That Carlos Santana national anthem was trash haha
— Taylor J (@TaylorJTakeover) June 4, 2018
Well now we officially know what the National Anthem would sound like on speed thanks to Carlos Santana
— 12up (@12upSport) June 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/Paul_Moak/status/1003427405632036867
Just when you thought you couldn’t hate the warriors any more, they let Carlos Santana turn the national anthem into Gidgets beach bash.😣
— Steven Lazarides (@NEOHcommlRE) June 4, 2018
This drum accompaniment is about as necessary as the few strands Of hair Carlos Santana has left up top. #nbafinals2018
— Chief Rocka (@SharpCee) June 4, 2018
…and finally those quite rightly wondering just where in the living fuck is Rob Thomas.
https://twitter.com/imbeccable/status/1003427173108248577
I always get a little bit sad when Santana plays the national anthem and it’s not feat. Rob Thomas
— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) June 4, 2018
Please tell me why Rob Thomas and Carlos Santana are trending lol do not play with my emotions
— Craig Bro Dude (@CraigSJ) June 4, 2018
No matter what the case, it sure as hell isn’t in the ball-park of Fergie at the All-Star Game.
In fact the more I think about it, the more I think that man, it’s a hot one…
Cheaps jokes are still jokes, folks.
