It is strictly illegal to play or perform the national anthem as “dance music.” According to Massachusetts General Law (Part IV, Title I, Chapter 264, Section 9: “National anthem; manner of playing“), the star-spangled banner must be performed as its own composition and may absolutely not be included as part of another musical number. This means no remixes, and no national anthem dubstep. The penalty? You can be fined up to $100.
According to the text of the law on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website, the Star-Spangled Banner is no joke: “Whoever plays, sings or renders the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ in any public place, theatre, motion picture hall, restaurant or cafe, or at any public entertainment, other than as a whole and separate composition or number… whoever plays, sings or renders the ‘Star Spangled Banner,’ or any part thereof, as dance music, as an exit march or as a part of a medley of any kind, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.”
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