Soul legend Aretha Franklin has spoken of her disappointment in her performance at Barack Obama’s inauguration, believing she should have pre-recorded the song.
Franklin sang ‘My Country ‘Tis Of Thee’ at the inauguration in January. An historic occasion, the singer performed before a crowd of thousands with the scene relayed on television across the world.
In a new interview Aretha Franklin said that although she was not nervous the extreme cold at the event had left a negative effect on her voice. “Everyone else prerecorded…I should have prerecorded! I didn’t even know they had prerecorded until I heard it on TV later” she told NPR.
Aretha Franklin worked throughout the civil rights era, and was overjoyed to discover she was to sing at the event. “About three weeks prior to the inauguration I was told I’d be invited to sing at the swearing in.”
“I couldn’t hardly sleep at night, I was jumping, so excited. I couldn’t hardly settle down after the first night or two. I’ve had many, many honours, but that was unparalleled I think. That can only happen one time in history.”
However the singer subsequently recorded her performance again in a studio environment. “I just wasn’t happy with my performance that morning” she said. “I just rushed into the studio to do the commemorative, and 40 or 50 years from now people can play it for themselves.”
