While I’m confident that Phil Stacey is absolutely sincere in his attempt to pay tribute to the American flag, “Old Glory” is actually sung too earnestly.
His voice is pleasant, but he needlessly adds syllables and notes to words as if he’s borrowing a dramatic page from Garth Brooks (i.e. “The Change”, “More Than A Memory”), which is very distracting. Furthermore, while the song is clearly meant to be inspiring, the lyrics seem preachy rather than thought provoking.
Written by Phil Stacey
Grade: B-
Listen: Old Glory
Buy: Old Glory
You were much kinder than I was.
As a fan of Phil Stacey’s, I beg to differ with both your opinions on Phil’s “Old Glory.” If you bother to read or listen to other interviews he has done, you will find out that he is honest. Even Tim McGraw, who has met him, gave him the advice to be honest in expressing himself. Phil wrote this song while in the Navy, before he ever even thought of “Idol.” In a recent interview I read, he talked about how it hit him what the flag stood for, and what was given up to stand up for it. I don’t think that he intended to sound like Garth Brooks, but what is so wrong about Garth’s “The Change,” which by the way Phil sang on inspirational week during his season, and which really inspired him after the Oklahoma City bombing to enlist in the Navy and so do something for his country? And he is the son of a minister; so that may explain what you think is “preachiness.” But I think we all need a good preaching at every so often. I don’t mind it every Sunday, or every time I listen to some of the great Bible teachers out there. It helps me in my relationship with God. Those who don’t like preaching are often those who don’t want have a God to answer to. I think the song is wonderful. Unless you can present a song you deem better, I will continue to feel that this is a wonderful rendition of his love for his country and a way to honor the troops.
Preachy you say?? Well Phil is a very devout christian and was raised by a minister. I am not sure preachy is the exact wording needed here. He does reference prayer but we all need to pray sometimes and a relationship with God never hurt anybody. Phil wrote this song from his heart so I guess he would sing it very earnestly. There is nothing fake about Phil Stacey and I guess that is why it is sang this way. This song means a lot to him since it was written out of a very late night experience where he was allowed to see the flag and realize what she really represented and meant. The syllables and notes you are hearing is Phil Stacey being Phil. When he is live and he really gets into what he is singing you will hear those often. I personally LOVE his voice and I thought this was a really wonderful song to make all of us stop and think, of the sacrifices that have been given and the prayers that have been prayed and still need to be prayed and that we are all united no matter how different and that we are free because of this flag that has been fought for by many. Since he wrote this song and it means a lot to him I guess it would more like performing live and he does a lot of the extra notes, runs, syllables and that is just him. I think he is wonderful, I have seen him live many times before idol and twice since and I really think he is a total blessing to the country music industry. Wonderful young man, with awesome vocals and a terrific personality that would win anyone over if they met him.
Sometimes “preachy” is a good thing. I like Phil Stacey and appreciate all he has accomplished, especially serving this amazing country.
I am pleasantly surprised with his music, being that it can be difficult to really tell on “AI”. I hope he has a long and successful career and keeps writing and performing such “honest” work.
I think he sings the song he penned with Passion. His love for his country comes through. I love the song and the way he sings it. He sings as if he cares for those who are serving in the military around the globe , past, present and future, to give us the freedom we so often take for granted! So along with him I say a HEARTY Thank You to all our Military and their families who are sacrificing so we can have the freedom to express our opinions! Thanks, and God Bless America!
“If you bother to read or listen to other interviews he has done,
you will find out that he is honest. Even Tim McGraw, who has met him, gave him the advice to be honest in expressing himself.”
In my review, I never suggested that Phil wasn’t honest. In fact,the word “sincere” is the word I used in reference to him and this song. Furthermore, while I have no problem with Tim McGraw, invoking his name doesn’t exactly convince me either way of Phil’s honesty. The fact that they had a conversation and Tim told him to be honest hproves nothing to me. I don’t think Tim is known for being either more honest or less honest than anyone else in the business. So, saying “even Tim McGraw” seems as though you’re trying to convince me to appreciate this song based on a name drop.
“Phil wrote this song while
in the Navy, before he ever even thought of “Idol.” In a recent interview I read, he talked about how it hit him what the flag stood for, and what was
given up to stand up for it.”
Again, I do not dispute Phil’s sincerity regarding the content of this song. I absolutely believe you that he wrote it from his heart. Unfortunately, writing a song from the heart does not, in fact, automatically make a song good.
” I don’t think that he intended to sound like Garth Brooks, but what is so wrong about Garth’s “The Change,” which by the way
Phil sang on inspirational week during his season, and which really inspired him after the Oklahoma City bombing to enlist in the Navy and so do something
for his country?”
There’s nothing wrong with sounding like Garth Brooks. I guess I wasn’t clear with this part of the review. I like Garth brooks (see my “Favorite Songs By Favorite Artists: Garth Brooks” feature). I, however, think that “The Change”, while sincere (like Stacey), was a weak song that was sung with so much drama that it was difficult to take seriously. As far as Stacey singing it on American Idol, that is one of the few performances that I happened to catch on the show…and I didn’t like his version any better than I liked Garth’s. In this particular song, I just don’t like the way he adds syllables to “dignity” and “glory.” To me, it sounds ridiculous rather than impressive.
” And he is the son of a minister; so that may explain what you think is “preachiness.” But I think we all need a good preaching at every
so often. I don’t mind it every Sunday, or every time I listen to some of the great Bible teachers out there. It helps me in my relationship with God.
Those who don’t like preaching are often those who don’t want have a God to answer to.”
Well, I don’t think I am obligated to define my relationship with God to you. I will say, however, that I do both “want” and “have” a God to whom I answer. Moreover, it is unfair and boldly assuming of you to suggest otherwise.
I can concede, however, that my use of “Preachy” may not have been the most fair word to use. If I had fleshed that thought out some more, I might have explained that, for me, once a song starts employing the words “we” and “us”, it’s easy for it to sound more like a sermon rather than an anthem.
” I think the song is wonderful. Unless you can present a song you
deem better, I will continue to feel that this is a wonderful rendition of his love for his country and a way to honor the troops.”
I have absolutely no desire to quell your love of this song. In fact, I am truly glad that you enjoy it. When I review a song, I am simply sharing my opinion of it. I am not seeking to change anyone’s mind. As far as presenting you with a song that I deem to be better than this one, there are a dozen songs that I could list. As far as you agreeing with me, however, I doubt that I’d be successful in that attempt. Therefore, I’ll assume this was a rhetorical request.
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate that you are such a big fan of Phil’s. As long as you continue to represent him with dignity and respect, he is a lucky guy to have fans such as you and the others who have posted above. Now, who’s getting preachy?:)