User-friendly USAF Song recordings ready for use

News > User-friendly USAF Song recordings ready for use

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• The song remains the same, the only difference is how it's being performed

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The U.S. Air Force Band has recorded new versions of the U.S. Air Force song, available for use in official military ceremonies. The new recordings, one with vocals and one instrumental-only, respect the original character, lyrics and melody of the song, but are designed to promote more successful performances of our service song by military members around the world. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano)
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User-friendly USAF Song recordings ready for use

Posted 2/9/2012 Updated 2/13/2012

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2/9/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- New recordings of the U.S. Air Force Song are available for use in official military ceremonies at the Air Force Portal and www.music.af.mil.

The new recordings, one with vocals and one instrumental-only, respect the original character, lyrics and melody of the song, but are designed to promote more successful performances of the service song by military members around the world.

"Our traditional Air Force song remains the same," said Lt. Col. Daniel Price, of the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs. "We simply standardized the tempo with a longer lead-in and other fine-tuning designed to provide a more user-friendly version for our Airmen around the world. The previous version was written in a higher key, which made it difficult for many people to sing along. The new version fixes that problem."

As of Feb. 6, the old recordings have been removed from the Air Force Portal and the new recordings are posted in their place under "Air Force--Sights and Sounds--Air Force Song (Instrumental) and Air Force Song (Choral)."

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs requested that all Air Force bands, the Air Force Public Affairs Agency, and any other Air Force or Department of Defense organization with recordings of the U.S. Air Force Song posted on their organizational sites replace the old versions with the new.

Any questions may be directed to Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Wheeldon at SAF/PA at (703) 695-0019.

(Editor's note: This story has been updated for clarity. The previous headline misled some readers into believing there was a new U.S. Air Force Song. This story is courtesy of the Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs.)

Comments

8/19/2012 10:34:41 AM ET
How can I down load this song

Rose, CA

2/24/2012 9:14:57 PM ET
Airmen past and present is there nothing sacred anymore What's next Change the national anthem to pep it up. That Air Force Song has been relatively unchanged since the 1930s. The only change I know of was change the last line from Army Air Corps to United States Air Force.I went to the portal to listen to it. It sounds like a looney tunes song now. I half expected bugs bunny to come on the screen at the end chewing a carrot and saying That's all folks.We give lip service to our Air Force heritage by having a line in the Airmen's creed that says I'm faithful to a proud heritage but at the drop of the hat changed one of our core identities. I hate to say it but this is more an example of being a FAILURE to a proud heritage. Are we all too busy to even notice or care

CMSgt Servati, Holloman AFB NM

2/14/2012 3:57:54 PM ET
So I listened to the New official versions of the AF Song. My questions are: Why only one verse? The entire song should be presented in the Official Version. The omission of the Third verse is the most egregious error. The previous version has a much brassier and bolder marching band sounding, which I prefer, why the new version seems to emphasize flourishes and winds of an orchestra. Also the finale build at the end of this version-which is only the end of Verse 1-leaves me cold. Is it possible to keep the previous version of the song posted on the AF Portal and perhaps label it 'AF Song-Traditional' for those who prefer that sound at their commanders calls, change of commands and retirements Finally, musical taste is always individual and as such I will agree to disagree with those who label this as an improved or better version. It is a different version, better to some and worse to others.

True Blue, Joint Base Andrews

2/14/2012 1:36:07 AM ET
CMSgt Blue and ProudIt's funny how different things look based upon where you're sitting. You say that the source of any problem I see is staring back at me in the mirror. I say that the source of most of the problems I see is staring at me with 8 stripes on hisher shoulder or a silver insignia on their collar.

Taylor, SWA

2/13/2012 6:56:48 PM ET
Dave- Do you have any idea how invaluable community relations functions are Without the support of the community through outreach programs like the band and the Thunderbirds you wouldn't get the money from the congress to pay for any airplanes you get to fix. A chief on the flightline and a chief in the band do the same thing- they supervise 100 people and make sure they're doing their jobs perfectly whether that's community outreach or fixing a plane. You are so derogitory toward our band members when in reality they are always TDY away from their families and present an impeccable image to the community. I would much rather have a professional military band to perform the songs from our heritage and our tradition than pay a contracted band with no pride in their Air Force to make the same recording-- wouldn't you

LC, NM

2/13/2012 3:35:53 PM ET
CMSgt Blue and Proud is probably a horn blower himself.

Tired, OCONUS

2/13/2012 2:23:33 PM ET
I think we have a perception problem here and it's creating bad assumptions and a miscategorizing of intent.This recording is the same proud historically significant song we've known since its adoption as our official song in 1979. The only lyrically changes since it was written in 1939 were those reflecting the changes from Army Air Corps to Army Air Force to U.S. Air Force.The update was done to help Airmen and the public perform it more successfully -- meaning we've all been at gatherings where no one was quite sure when to start singing so it started with a whimper and ended with a bang. This new arrangement corrects the issue and allows those singing to start and finish with gusto. The song and lyrics haven't changed just the arrangement.I challenge everyone to go to www.music.af.mil to listen to the updated arrangement and realize the update didn't change our song.

Maj Tony Wickman, AFPAA San Antonio TX

2/13/2012 1:48:52 PM ET
Have you taken the time to listen to the Air Force Song? Thought not. It's still the same song I learned as a kid back in the 60's. Basically the same one my father learned in 40's. If 50-70 years isn't tradition in the AF, what is? As for tradition military bands are as old the services themselves...what better tradition to preserve?

kadenakid, Scott AFB

2/13/2012 12:00:52 PM ET
I love how CMSgt Blue and Proud posts his own opinion to condemn others for posting their own opinions.

Jenny, USA

2/12/2012 6:50:35 PM ET
I think you all should read the article more closely. The song is the same, they have only posted a better version of it.

David Maniccia, Bossier City LA

2/12/2012 8:27:24 AM ET
Those of you publically throwing your service under the bus make me ill. What are you doing to lead and serve? You are giving YOUR opinions and not facts--and not representing us well. Want to know the source of any problems you see? Look in the mirror.

CMSgt Blue and Proud, Stuttgart

2/11/2012 12:16:23 PM ET
Tired of constant negative change in the AF these days. Especially when it is not needed.We act and follow the Army too much if wanted to join the Army i would have done so. I can't even recommend joining the Air Force anymore.Worst enlisted leadership period.

MSgt ready to go, WHCA

2/11/2012 6:53:41 AM ET
I believe TSgt Pika means Fraud Waste and Abuse with WASTE being the word in that we are kicking people out to save money but have a Band. I said it in a comment awhile back, a Chief on the flightline supervising 100 gets paid the same as a Chief tooting a horn? Get Real. Unfortunately most unpopular comments don't get posted.

Dave Brett, Korea

2/10/2012 1:58:02 PM ET
We probably got this from the Army too..face it that's our tradition these days

FedUpSNCO, On My Way Out Thank Goodness

2/10/2012 12:18:38 PM ET
The Air Force has only one traditionto not to not have any traditions.

LTC Geo.EppersonAFRet, RAO March ARBCA

2/10/2012 9:29:24 AM ET
The AF does have a tradition. Approximately every 4 yrs we have a major change i.e. uniforms processes etc. Then 4 yrs later we change back because the first was a failure i.e. Financial Processing Ctr in Ellsworth. Too bad we can't be similar to USMC where they have kept the dress uniform for over 200 yrs and are very proud to wear it.

Jeff, Scott AFB

2/10/2012 8:12:29 AM ET
What was wrong with the old song That's the problem these days with the USAF leadership. Every heard of heritage and tradition We have none You can't change everything about the service on a regular basis and talk about heritage. Food for thought...

BT, Fl

2/10/2012 3:38:06 AM ET
This is why the othger services say we have no tradition. The Air Force song as it was originally produced is one of the few things the Air Force has kept constant. So we don't want traditions? If this is made so the Air Force band can perform it better, maybe they need to practice more.

TSgt Cook, Stuttgart Germany

2/10/2012 3:11:47 AM ET
TSgt Picka - one of the things they may have changed was the key the music was played in to make it more singable by the audience. The standard recording is a bit high. Also having a vocal version allows it to start well and have someone to follow. How many times in events has everyone just sort of started and eventually everyone catchs up Good idea to update.

Singer, Japan

2/10/2012 12:42:11 AM ET
TSgt Picka, they're a USAF band, they have to play it as a function of employment; re-recording it costs nothing as they already have the facilities and publishing it costs equally nothing as the infrastructure is already in place. What exactly is Fraud, Waste and Abuse about it?

Blue_man, CA

2/9/2012 10:39:21 PM ET
Changing the Air Force song? Sure why not. Pentagon leadership has been eraseing most of out legacy and history anyway. While your at it, how about changing the color of the Service Dress you could start up Orange or Purple Mondays.

Gladly Retired, Texas

2/9/2012 10:19:50 PM ET
And we can hear this new version where?

Chief Wheeler, Broken Arrow OK

2/9/2012 7:20:27 PM ET
My Air Force is not what it used to be, I am very sorry to say. Nothing old is good enough for our current crop of leaders.

James Evans, Canton IL

2/9/2012 1:41:35 PM ET
So there was nothing wrong with the old version in the first place Good to see this is how the FWA perpetuates itself.

TSgt Picka, MDL

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