Being asked to perform at a presidential inauguration is no easy feat for a musician to pull off. The entire country–if not the world–will be watching and the prestige of the moment adds an immense weight. Nevertheless, a group of artists have taken the inauguration stage over the years, honoring their country and the president that is being sworn in. Revisit four of the most recent inauguration performances, below.
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Revisit Some of the Best Presidential Inauguration Performances From Over the Years
1. Aretha Franklin (President Obama, 2009)
When trying to pick an artist to pull the country together for a day, you can’t go wrong with Aretha Franklin. The late Queen of Soul’s voice cuts straight to the heart of whoever is listening. Naturally, she is an apt choice for rousing up some national pride. Below, revisit her performance of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” from President Obama’s first inauguration.
Land of the noble free
Thy name I love
I love thy rocks and rills
Thy woods and templed hills
My heart will rapture fills like that above
2. Jackie Evancho (President Trump, 2017)
Classical vocalist Jackie Evancho was tapped by President Trump to perform at his inauguration in 2017. Her robust and clear vocals made the national anthem sound as powerful as ever. It brought a sense of traditionalism back to the song, which was written in the 1800s and endures today.
Say, can you see
By the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed
At the twilight’s last gleaming?
3. Garth Brooks (President Biden, 2021)
Garth Brooks ever so charmingly performed “Amazing Grace” at President Biden’s inauguration in 2021. His familiar vocals added a sense of warmth to the event. Many have taken on this classic hymn, but Brooks delivered a particularly memorable rendition.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see
4. Beyoncé (President Obama, 2013)
The national anthem isn’t an easy song to sing as a solo. For a song that was written to be sung by the masses, they sure added a lot of high notes…If any artist can take on such a task, it’s Beyoncé. That is a fact President Obama knew well during his second term, when he got her on board for his inauguration. Beyoncé gives this song the proper amount of dramatics. It’s hard to not foster a sense of American pride while witnessing the performance, below.
And the rockets’ red glare
The bombs bursting in air
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there
(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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