SOLANA BEACH -- Oh say can you sing "The Star-Spangled Banner"? If not, it might become easier if the rest of the nation follows the lead of the Solana Beach City Council, which unanimously supported lowering the national anthem's key Tuesday night.

"I feel its time has come," Mayor Joe Kellijian said about changing the song's key from B flat to G. "We have endured either not singing it, changing the key in the middle of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' or singing it off key."

Council members approved a resolution to support the efforts of Solana Beach resident Ed Siegel, who for more than 10 years has been trying to change the song's key to one he believes is easier for crowds to sing.

To demonstrate his argument, Siegel led the council chambers audience in a rendition of the anthem in the key of G. It sounded pretty good, with voices even making it through "the rockets red glare" without cracking.

The War Department adopted B flat as the official key for the national anthem in 1942. While that may be fine for military bands, Siegel said it is too challenging for casual singer.

"Our nation may be the only one in the whole world where a majority of citizens can't sing their national anthem," he said.

The council's action is largely symbolic and meant to show support for Siegel as he continues his fight. After years of unsuccessfully lobbying for the change in key on a national level, Siegel has changed his strategy and is trying to first build grass-roots support for his cause.

"It gives him more juice," City Manager Barry Johnson said about the resolution, which will be forwarded to U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Escondido, and other national representatives.

Siegel's efforts already have gained him national attention. On Saturday, The New York Times featured him in a front-page story.

Not everybody, however, thinks the attention is a good thing.

Audience member Stan Beard, who sang the anthem at the 1984 World Series and worked as musical director for Disney on Ice, said during public comments that the council's action would make the city look ludicrous.

"No song has ever had an official key," he said, arguing that "The Star-Spangled Banner" is difficult because of its range, not because it is in B flat.

Soloists sing in the key that best fits their voice, said Beard, and adopting G as the official key would mean tenors, sopranos and baritones all would have to sing in the same range.

But Siegel said he is not trying to make soloists sing outside of their keys, but only change the key when the song is sung by crowds.

Siegel has led a community singalong group since 1986 and said his singers find G to be a much easier key.

Contact staff writer Gary Warth at gwarth@nctimes.com or (760) 740-5410.