Standardized

When did become standard for singers to lift and juggle the "i" sound in "God Bless America"? Whenever a seventh inning arrives, I'm forced to enjoy my favorite national hymn as "God Bless Amereeeecah." The singers must believe it gives them Gospel cred or something. Like, "Watch me go Boyz2Men on this bitch!"

If I had to sing this country's backup anthem, I'd hammer on the consonants. "Godddddd Bless Ammmerrrrrriccccccccccccah."
That'd shake up the system. Right? Wouldn't it? Well, I think it would. Shake things up.