Beyonce Pre Recorded National Anthem: Aretha Franklin Liked the Lip Synching

Unless you've been in complete internet isolation for the past 24 hours, you know by now that Beyoncé was lip-synching when she 'sang' that killer rendition of national anthem at the presidential inauguration. Smoke and mirrors, baby. The moment might be the first big pop culture brouhaha of 2013, but the star is being defended (sort of) by the Queen of Soul herself Aretha Franklin. 

Franklin said of the lip-synching, "when I heard the news this evening that she was pre-recorded I really laughed. I thought it was funny because the weather down there was 46 or 44 degrees and for most singers that is just not good singing weather. When I heard that I really just cracked up. I thought it was really funny, but she did a beautiful job with the pre-record ... next time I'll probably do the same." 

Saying someone "did a beautiful job with the pre-record" might be the most backhanded compliment in the history of the world, but Beyoncé will probably take what she can get at this point.  

Franklin performed "My Country Tis Of Thee" at the 2009 inauguration, wearing a hat that no one will ever forget. Franklin performed live at the 2009 inauguration because, as she said, "I wanted to give people the real thing and pre-recording never crossed my mind." 

It should be noted, on the morning Franklin sang temperatures were far lower than they were this past Monday. "Not good singing weather," as she would say. 

Lip-synching or not, who do you think gave the best inauguration performance? Aretha or Beyoncé?