I had a minor epiphany while listening to the national anthem, as sung by the late Meatloaf. I realized why I find most solo performances of the SSB, Christmas songs, and other traditional music so disappointing. It's (partly) the same reason I'm opposed to "special music" in church services.
These songs shouldn't be performed solo, or by a quartet or choir, to be heard by an audience. They are songs for us all to sing together. So while I don't object to Meatloaf's rendition in particular, he didn't sound like a song leader. The anthem should be sung as a unified group. It's not to be sung by one person, or group of people, for others to listen to.
Does that make sense to anyone else?