Assuming you have all your snacks and fixings ready for the Super Bowl, the Super Bowl National Anthem is the first clear sign that the game is about to begin. Usually, this is when everyone at the Super Bowl party starts quieting down. Not necessarily because everyone is moved by the American flag, but because there is a lot at stake – prop bets, careers, and eternal humiliation/glory. It’s a significant moment for the singers and those who made bets on the length of the performance.
Now, let’s examine the top five and bottom five National Anthem performances in Super Bowl history.
The NFL has restricted the sharing of many of these videos through YouTube, but you can watch the actual Super Bowl performances here. Ironically, this performance took place just a few months before the Chicks faced backlash for their opposition to the Iraq War and their embarrassment over then-President George Bush being from Texas. It took the band years to recover from the criticism they received from those who claim to support the First Amendment.
What initially started as a raunchy drinking song has never sounded so smooth. There’s a reason why America insists on Vandross’ version of “One Shining Moment” every March. No one else can make American sports sound like this.
Another video that the NFL has prevented us from sharing, but there is something to be said about simply standing there and singing. No frills, no fancy accompaniments, just a clear, powerful voice. Watch America’s beloved piano-playing New Yorker nail it here.
Just a few months after 9/11, Mariah Carey performed the National Anthem, accompanied by representatives from the US Cole and the agencies involved in responding to the disaster. The weeks and months following the Twin Towers’ collapse were filled with anxiety and uncertainty. So, witnessing Mariah deliver a flawless rendition of the Star Spangled Banner before the big game brought a sense of normalcy.
You knew this one was coming. It’s the benchmark that can never be surpassed. Notice how the NFL didn’t dare block this video from being shared. Super Bowl XXV occurred shortly after the start of the Gulf War, marking America’s return to war since Vietnam. To avoid repeating the mistreatment of Vietnam veterans, the country embraced patriotism wholeheartedly. Whitney Houston’s voice was a national treasure, and her performance of the National Anthem shook the entire nation. Although the internet wasn’t as prominent at the time, this would have undoubtedly gone viral.
Like many others on this list, it pains us to admit that Alicia Keys’ rendition didn’t make the cut. She is an incredible talent and performer. However, her performance went on for too long – 2 minutes and 36 seconds to be exact. This is definitely too long for a group of people who are already intoxicated. Alicia currently holds the record for the longest Super Bowl National Anthem. Let’s see if Chris Stapleton can top that.
This rendition is actually quite lovely. It took place a few years after Connick’s iconic soundtrack for “When Harry Met Sally” was released, so you can imagine the excitement among white Americans. However, there was a problem. Someone involved with the performance moved Buffalo running back Thurman Thomas’ helmet, causing him to miss the first few plays of the Super Bowl. Buffalo ended up losing to Washington 37-24. When the anthem affects the actual game, it’s a huge failure.
On paper, there’s no reason why this anthem should be considered one of the worst. Aaron Neville’s voice is legendary, and Aretha Franklin might be the best pure singer America has ever produced. Additionally, there was a choir backing them up after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Not to mention, it’s Aretha singing in Detroit. But for some reason, it just didn’t work. The whole performance felt forced, as if the Barden Bellas were trying too hard. America apparently hadn’t learned yet that all Aretha needs to bring sitting presidents to tears is a piano.
We reluctantly include this great singer on the list, but you can’t mess up the words. You just can’t.
It saddens us to award this dubious honor to such a talented artist. Charley Pride, an American treasure, was the first artist to perform the “Star Spangled Banner” solo before the Super Bowl. Until then, the anthem had always been performed by marching bands or instrumentalists. However, as we mentioned earlier, getting the words wrong is a big no-no. To be fair to Charley, the audio quality in this recording is terrible, and it’s possible that he remembered the words but had issues with the microphone. Regardless, the Super Bowl deserves credit for featuring Charley Pride, but they lose points for the mishap at the beginning.
Anyway, here’s Charley Pride on a much better day. That voice is truly remarkable.