Smokey Robinson Sings National Anthem at Fenway Park 1986

Smokey Robinson singing his arrangement of the National Anthem at Fenway Park for Game #5 of the1986 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets.

[@rwaggs62]

There has never been a better rendition of the National Anthem in the History of Sports than this man right here --- Will never forget this --- I was 24 years old and have never before or after --- SMOKEY!

[@mrdelgado5930]

+Robert Waggoner I was 15 and it's stayed with me my whole life! On this night, as the Mets prepare to compete in the World Series, I had to hear this. I still get gooseflesh every time I hear it, 29 years later. Let's GO Mets!

[@BryanOQuinnTV]

The Motown Sound is all over this performance. Nobody can do it like "Smokey" Pure Magic! God Bless America!

[@karenpelletier8898]

i remember standing in awe when he switched to America the Beautiful. I have never heard anything more beautiful. I have played this over and over and it is the most heartfelt, sweet song I have ever heard. Love your version Smokey

[@shilohpeace]

I cried. It is beautiful! So beautiful!! so moving. God bless our men and women serving our country. We all owe everything to them and we should do everything we can to thank them. God bless America! God bless the angelic voice God gave to Smokey Robinson and God Bless Ray Ramono whose show gave me a sense of family for years!!!! Everybody Loves Raymond was absolutely the best show ever and they should bring it back in some form!!! I could only wish.

[@Steve197201]

Wow! That was the most beautiful rendition of the national anthem I've ever heard.

[@jackallen223]

I cried.This,to me,was my greatest version ever.I guess I'm just an old Motown lover,why not?

[@JayLa76]

I'm not patriotic, and not ashamed to say that neither, nor could I care less about any song dedicated to America, but that was smooth how the Smoke Man blended to two songs like that. Never heard that done before. True Motown, R&B, and just straight music legend.

[@glkanter]

I saw this live, and waited 20+ years to see it again. It is incredibly beautiful, and I cry evry time I hear it. Thank you, Smokey Robinson.

[@rubbaloid]

"And crowned thy good with brotherhood" .. What a powerful performance, so moving. Thank you Ray Romano and daughter for the rave review, would have never found it otherwise. Oprah, we love you!

[@boblundrigan1]

Went to work with a bunch of tough factory workers in Lynn, Massachusetts the next morning and many of these guys and gals admitted to crying when they heard this. Many said it outdid the game and made them realize how a game is for fun, but our country is forever.

[@DoonRockify]

The definitive version of this song. Spectacular and stunning. Had tears in my eyes when this was done live

[@juniorgemini8076]

the best of all time no one does it better absolutely no one.

[@bizcocounty]

Goosebumps! An incredible interpretation of our national anthem. Makes all Americans feel the "feeling" behind the lyrics. Know what I mean? Thank you so much for posting!

[@musicinme5741]

Absolutely beautiful. And people stood for the flag! Game 5 1986 and tonight is Game 5 and it's 2018. Hope the Red Sox win. God Bless America!

[@buckynance]

TEARS!!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!! If only all could sing it like this.

[@pmccservices]

So beautiful it brings tears of joy to this day.

[@kevboston]

YES...i remember i was in miami for work and watching my red sox on the tv when smoky smoked the national anthem...AWESOME! Whintey, Josh and Smokey...:)

[@mikex3578]

I had never seen this performance before. Wonderful job Smokey! Thank you for posting :-).

[@mrsilvergrill]

It's Smokey! The best ever. Thanks PK.

[@jackallen223]

Ted Williams sitting with the crowd,too.What could be better. We have better days ahead,we RS fans but nobody will ever come close to this rendition.Smokey,the greatest

[@pauldegregorio5319]

Great rendition. Thanks, Ray, for bringing it to our attention. This 57-year old Italian can't wait for your new show.

[@billwings2]

I too remember this but hadn't heard it in years...thanx PKingman. One of the greatest renditions ever. And then to have the Mets win it all? wow...what a great year that was.

[@geoj6491]

Beautiful! Thanks for posting this ... I always remembered watching this, and wished I had a copy. Simply the most moving rendition, ever. And thank you, Smokey!

[@chrisgallagher602]

Is Vince Scully kidding. The best version of The National Anthem, ever and he talks about the weather, right after Smokies rendition, What? Are you kidden me. God bless you Vince.

[@lucisue53]

Wow. Thanks, Ray Romano, for mentioning this video. And thanks to Smokey for this beautiful, pure, and inspired performance. Wow.

[@mrsilvergrill]

There's never been a better time to revive this touching version than right now during these unsettling times.

[@eddiebear60]

It's been 30 years and I still remember this.

[@tommaletic]

I remember watching this live and being mesmerized. I've talked about it and sought it since then - thanks for posting and thank you Smokey

[@cswartout]

THANK YOU for posting this. I remember it and have been raving to friends for years about it. Finally after 22 years I can show them what all the hype was about. Just gorgeous!

[@marciaham1984]

Thank you for posting this. This is my favorite version of our national anthem at a sporting event for all time and eternity. So glad it was preserved. I remember when he sang it.

[@ack1961]

thanks for posting - i, too, taped this in '86 and used to listen to it all the time. lost it somehwere. it's the most beautiful rendition of the star spangled banner ever done.

[@thaberland]

We all love you spnt many hours laughing at your shows thankyou.

[@syoung3]

Me too! I don't know why I decided to check today.I had the tune recorded on a cassette when a radio station replayed it and can't find it anymore. Smokey did a great job!

[@rickyseabra]

I remember this... what a sensation it was when he changed over to America the Beautiful!

[@brettfavreify]

I do distinctly remember this version, floating in my head for years. And in a roundabout way, Jose Feliciano made stylizing the national anthem possible.

[@PKingman]

I took this off an old VHS tape that I had tucked away in my house for 20 years, and never would have imagined that more than 100 thousand people would come to see the video. Somewhat miraculously a video of Smokey's version of the National Anthem had not yet ever been posted on KZbin. Glad I found the tape. MLB now has their own version of this posted, and, of course, I am sure, is making money off of it.

[@sistah59]

Love you Ray Ramono ..Oprah we don't want you to leave but we do understand.. your going to be missed big time!!! Lori from Canada

[@ack1961]

that's a real good question - i found it remarkable that none of the baseball commentators said a word about how great it was. As Wagnerian42 stated, his rendition was absolutely chilling. If I were a Producer for any sporting events, I would have Smokey sing this version at evey major event.

[@11ymous]

Thank you for uploading this. My all-time favorite rendition since I saw/heard it that night in '86. I wish he'd recorded it.

[@inhibited44]

God Bless the late Jerry Williams of wRKo in Boston. I heard this there replayed there because Jerry was so taken by this extraordinary rendition.

[@SeattleWebGirl]

Aww, my heart feels so big after having watched this. Like Ray, it feels good to make yourself cry.

[@aerorock29]

WOW !!!! I have been looking for this vid since I saw the performance live. Simply Fantastic

[@danielohkay]

i have been looking for this for 2 decades now -- thank you!!

[@goingnaturalsavedmylife7315]

Great job> I love u Smokey.....

[@BrunaoJazzistico]

Im also here due to Ray Romano's interview in Oprah!

[@doctorlako]

I am in the same boat! I could never find this! Thank you PKINGMAN!!

[@billyholly]

Yep, me, too. I just saw Ray on a old re-run (but new here in The Netherlands) Oprah episode...so I just had to check it out! What a voice! Ok, move to "America the Beautiful" and dodge the high notes...but still, BEAUTIFUL! I hope to sing the anthem one of these days...

[@KatieJoMikell]

Ray Romano just announced on the Oprah show, that this video of the National Anthem was the best he has ever seen.

[@2lowforzero]

Jeez , Thank you Ray. I had no idea this version of the national anthem exist. And Thank you Oprah!! The Oprah effect is alway good and positive.

[@PaulGuess1]

Great rendition... thanks Ray...

[@mariloucastro]

the best indeed...thanks ray romano... and to oprah...18 more months... and i'm sure all of us here will be missing her...

[@rmosec2]

I think you are right. I seen him sing at other sports event but never this version. thanks for posting

[@MizzBonesUSA]

I love our national anthem. I love to hear it sung well. Smokey's version is my absolute, all time favorite. I could listen to it over and over. He makes it so beautiful.

[@Loha]

I'm here because of Ray on Oprah today, too. Really nice version.

[@CJARCHIVES]

I only had this on a Z100 album or aircheck so VERY COOL to not only hear it but see it too!

[@Patriciakew]

Ray Romano, This was great. Thanks and looking forward to seeing your new show on Monday night at 10 :>)

[@NewfieCrystal]

It is a good one... I'm a Canadian but it was touching to me too Ray...

[@rmosec2]

Ive been looking for this forever!! fantastic

[@TVGord]

Everybody Loves Smokey!

[@erkalee1]

i can't believe I listenen to this after Ray was on Oprah......WOW!!

[@budruski]

Thanks Ray u were right. 23 yr old hit.

[@oneilrw]

Thanks for posting this - best version I've heard.

[@Raggabeany75]

Ray on the Oprah show brought me to this vid...It didn't make me cry, though Oprah's tearful announcement did, but it was a different & refreshing version:) Thanks for bringing it to my attention Ray!:)

[@swinglow33]

I usually don't catch Oprah, but I'm glad to have seen Ray on recently. Beautifully sung by Smoky Robinson, what a great performer. If you want to hear a train wreck version, look for Carl Lewis's version.

[@XXxMizzJojoxXX]

LOL saw Ray on the Oprah Show. That's why I'm here as well. He sure is a funny guy. =)

[@rickyseabra]

Me too... Remember exactly where I was... and I remember gasping when he changed to America the Beautiful and noticing the reaction of the people in the stadium and everyone in the room at my college. What a moment!

[@2008ritaOc]

still my favourite -December 2011

[@proudauntshawn]

Awesome rendition! Thx Ray!

[@tommaletic]

amazing...so effortless!

[@doctorlako]

The best of the best!

[@jetttskiman]

Ray knows his National Anthem's. his new show is going to be great. He should do a reality show with the family. I bet it would be funny as hell.

[@torontobabe]

I love Smokey.

[@hmngbrd]

I love him !

[@ivanivmfic1442]

One strike away on two batters in Game 6 and . . . the rest is as they say, history.

[@BoogaWitDaSuga]

Glad to see I'm not the only one watching this only because Ray Ramano talked about this on Oprah : )) THis video isn't making me cry but I did a lil when Oprah made her big announcement : (

[@Aggromerchant]

AWESOME.

[@kevboston]

@PKingman it was recorded the day before in a studio in boston

[@nursekelly73]

Love it!!! Thanks Ray:)

[@Lanefasts]

I checked it out because of Ray Romano on Oprah too!

[@irishmary24]

In light of the recent Super Bowl rendition of this song, I have returned to my favorite version. Smokey simply walks to the mic and delivers the meaning of this song more eloquently than any ''Hollywood'' or ''Vegas'' screamer. He's absolutely the best!

[@SandyCuse]

Long live Oprah...and long live Smokey! God Bless America!!! Peace and love..

[@johnbsk]

i love you ray!

[@bmjw06]

incredible

[@uhkwtflol]

1:14 gorgeous. The singing.

[@Aggromerchant]

Awesome.

[@LisaGayePhoebe]

Yep, saw him on Oprah today. LOL, never would have seen it if Ray hadn't said that!!

[@rod_lampard]

Lest we forget!

[@luisgonzalez58]

Thanks, Ray Romano and Oprah.

[@Foldisfitch]

SMOKEY ROBINSON!!!

[@camallie]

Thanks Ray and Oprah!

[@madisonkai]

OK Ray I watched it and I cried......

[@88Flashback]

Thanks Ray, Oprah and of course Smokey.......after that anthem, I don't think I'd care who won the game!

[@thomesocksup]

very interesting version. Thanks Ray Romano for even mentioning this. Or shall I say his daughter

[@woah455]

Go Ray Romano! =D haha it's funny how someone says go on youtube look something up and everyone does it =D Ray Romano actually filmed one of his scenes for "A Man of Certain Age" at the school where my mom works. Awesome! :)

[@glkanter]

Not 'live' in the stadium, but this exact version on TV.

[@janetcoverdale]

Ray, look up the Cactus Cuties singing the national anthem on KZbin. I bet you'll cry. BTW I loved Everybody Loves Raymond. I've been thinking of the Thanksgiving episode scene when Deborah puts the turkey in the oven. One of the funniest things I ever saw!

[@pb4hand]

love you ray thanks I loved it I'll add it to my collection I do the same thing watch NA vids ha aha

[@barrykime5580]

I always thought no one could do this better than Whitney Houstan. Move over Linda you are in second place. Smokey. I am keeping this one.

[@NickZemura]

Same reason I am checking. Let's see their combined power.

[@nadsat13]

Me too !!!!!