A member of Canadian singing group The Tenors took a few liberties with the national anthem Tuesday night, altering the lyrics of O Canada to include a political message prior to the MLB All-Star Game in San Diego.
It didn’t go over well.
Remigio Pereira sang “We’re all brothers and sisters. All lives matter to the brave,” in place of “With glowing hearts we see thee rise. The True North strong and free.”
READ MORE: After The Tenors’ singer changed ‘O Canada,’ here’s why ‘All Lives Matter’ is so controversial
The group apologized an hour later, distancing themselves from the “lone wolf,” but they weren’t quick enough to avoid drawing scorn and ridicule across social media.
The debacle wasn’t the first time an anthem mishap has caused a firestorm. Here are five other examples of times a rendition of a national anthem sparked controversy.
Nelly Furtado 2016 NBA All Star Game
The Canadian singer-songwriter seemed like a good choice to sing the anthem at the 2016, NBA All-Star game held in Toronto.
The Victoria native with roots in R&B and hip hop is a multi-platinum-selling artist with an impressive voice and distinct style.
However, some thought Furtado’s spin on O Canada strayed a little too far from the original’s melody and had fans on social media asking “what country’s anthem was it?”
Carl Lewis – 1993 NBA Finals
The former American track and field athlete is a nine-time Olympic gold medal winner and 10-time world champion, named by the International Olympic Committee as the “Sportsman of the Century.”
No one said he could sing.
Roseanne Barr – 1990 San Diego Padres game
In what already seemed an unusual choice, Roseanne Barr doubled down on the odd selection as a guest singer at a San Diego Padres baseball game. The comedian shrieked, crotch-grabbed and spit her way through what is considered by some as the worst rendition of the Star Spangled Banner of all time.
Natalie Gilbert (with help from Mo Cheeks) – 2003 NBA Western Conference Quarterfinals
Out of all the anthem failures this one might be the only one with a heart-warming ending.
Twelve-year-old Natalie Gilbert began singing the The Star Spangled Banner before a NBA playoff game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Dallas Mavericks.
When Gilbert struggled to find the words, Trail Blazers coach Mauice Cheeks jumped in to save the day, sharing the mic with her as they finished the song together.
Caroline Marcil – 2005 Canada-U.S. exhibition hockey game
In what might be the most cringe-worthy performance of all time, singer Caroline Marcil begins to stumble through The Star-Spangled Banner before quickly exiting mid-song. After exiting from a second failed attempt she returns to the ice for a third time. Amazingly things go even worse.
Here are some other examples of anthem fails from the past.
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