A spectacular breakdown of the musicology by Adam Neely.

National anthems are, of course, complex things and America’s is no less complicated than our own history. There’s a whole verse we never sing because an overt and cavalier reference to slavery; Francis Scott Key owned slaves. The song itself is maudlin and sentimental and in dire need of an update.

Still, I can’t deny my own very emotional response on inauguration day, with that build to the flag still flying where just two weeks before an insurrection overtook the capitol.