BBC Learning English

Words in the News

Beyonce admits not singing live
1 February 2013



Words in the News British Broadcasting Corporation 2013
Page 1 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com




Pop star Beyonce has admitted she did not sing the American national anthem live
during President Obama's inauguration last month. She revealed the truth at a news
conference for the forthcoming Super Bowl. This report is from the BBCs Ben Wright:

It was one of the most talked about moments of the inauguration: Beyonce's
soaring, flawless rendition of the Star Spangled Banner in front of President
Obama and millions more.

But doubt was soon cast on the authenticity of the performance. There was
speculation it was taped, that the megastar had mimed.

Today came her response. She strolled into a news conference for Sunday's Super
Bowl, at which she will sing, asked the audience to stand and raised her microphone:

Beyonce singing American national anthem:
"Oh say, can you see, by the dawn's early light?"

After belting out the national anthem she asked, with a laugh, if there were any
questions. And then she admitted to singing along to a pre-recorded track last
week because she didn't have time to practise.

Beyonce said she had not wanted to risk anything going wrong on such a big
occasion.

But she will be singing live during the half-time show on Sunday - to one of the
biggest audiences of her career.



Words in the News British Broadcasting Corporation 2013
Page 2 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com


Vocabulary and definitions

soaring rising or flying up into the air
flawless perfect, without faults
rendition a version of a song or performance
authenticity reality
speculation guessing about a subject without enough evidence
taped recorded (of a sound)
mimed moved lips along to a song without making a sound
strolled walked slowly and in a relaxed way
belted out sang very loudly and with a lot of enthusiasm
pre-recorded track song which been recorded earlier



Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/02/130201_witn_beyonce.shtml


Related News story
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment -arts-21290682