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Grammy-nominated singer Eric Burton lost track of the lyrics during ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ before Friday night’s World Series opener between Houston and Philadelphia.
The Black Pumas band leader, 33, opened Game 1 of the Fall Classic on Friday with a rendition of the National Anthem but his performance featured multiple lyrical errors and pitch issues.
With players and staff lined up on the field for the traditional pre-game ceremony, and a giant American flag unfurled across the outfield, Burton went off track on the second line.
He sang: ‘What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last streaming’ instead of ‘gleaming.’
He continued correctly with: ‘Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight.’
But then, instead of ‘O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?’ he backtracked to ‘What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last’ before again singing ‘streaming’ instead of ‘gleaming.’
Grammy-nominated singer Eric Burton lost track of lyrics during ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’
The Black Pumas band leader opened Game 1 of the Fall Classic with the National Anthem
But the 33-year-old’s performance featured multiple lyrical errors and pitch issues
Players from both the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros stand for the anthem
Burton then picked up correctly with ‘And the rocket’s red glare, the bomb bursting in air’ and finished uneventfully.
Burton is the co-founder of Black Pumas, a band that has been nominated for six Grammy Awards, including best rock album and best rock performance, and won for Best New Artist in 2020.
Burton performed at last year’s televised concert for President Joe Biden’s Inauguration.
And he is no stranger to big stages, having performed on the Grammys, Today Show, the Late Show, Tiny Desk Concert, Jimmy Kimmel Live in addition to Biden’s Inauguration.
Burton shakes hands with Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker (right) following his rendition
Burton and band member Mickey Guyton (left) perform at the CMT Music Awards in April
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Burton also performed at the Governors Ball Music Festival at Citi Field earlier this year
Social media users naturally quick to pick up on the errors as they slated Burton for ‘not knowing’ the words to the National Anthem.
Aaaaaand we’ve already screwed up the National Anthem. World Series is off to a banger of a start.
‘Did this guy just mess up the National Anthem in front of the nation at Game 1,’ another asked in disbelief.
Another echoed their thoughts, questioning: ‘Did anyone else just hear that butchered national anthem?!’
Social media users were stunned into belief on Twitter after his error-littered performance
One viewer was equally stunned, claiming Burton ‘had one job’. The said: ‘Dude you had one job. How do you screw up the lyrics to the national anthem at the World Series. That s*** won’t happen in Philly!’
Another social media user, clearly backing the Phillies, posted: ‘Let’s hope the Astros play as badly as Eric Burton’s National Anthem rendition. Oof. #flat #RedOctober #WorldSeries.’
Meanwhile, one viewer gave a withering critique, writing: ‘This national anthem is so bad how he gonna sound like garbage and mess it up multiple times’
Others on social media were quick to slate the botched rendition, branding it ‘garbage’
One Twitter user offered a wise piece of advice, saying: ‘If you don’t know the words to the national anthem, don’t sing it on national tv.’
However, one person had some sympathy for Burton, claiming they felt sorry for him.
‘My heart goes out to the man who sang our national anthem in Houston,’ they said. ‘He made every effort to sing the song traditionally, had a nice voice, and just got the verses confused.
‘It’s a difficult song, and he’s slapping himself. I know many will disagree, but I feel sorry for him.’
Country group Little Big Town will sing the anthem before Game 2 on Saturday.
However, one person had some sympathy for Burton, claiming they felt sorry for him
