Republican Senator John McCain likes "America the Beautiful" just the way it is -- with no weird sounds or yelling or crazy ad-libbing -- which is why he thinks Meat Loaf was a BAD CHOICE for Mitt Romney's campaign event yesterday.

McCain was out in D.C. today when we asked about Meat Loaf's atrocious rendition of "America the Beautiful" -- and whether it was appropriate to take artistic license ... and change the song like he did.

McCain replied, "Change the song? Or have someone who knows the words?"

OUCH.