Billboard counts down the 11 best Super Bowl national anthem renditions to date.
Since theSuper Bowlstands at the pinnacle of American sports, it’s no surprise that thenation’s most-high profile competition also boasts an iconic annual music tradition —the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” for a globalaudience in the hundreds of millions.
Since its inception in 1967, the Super Bowl has included an offering of the national anthem, and in recent decades, the visibility has only increased asmusic superstars take to the mic to deliver America’s sacred song.
While dozens of performers have undertaken the roughly two-minute challenge, here are Billboard’s top picks for the best Super Bowl performances of “The Star-Spangled Banner” through 2023.
Dixie Chicks (2003)
The reigning country queens with big personalities turned in a surprisingly modest but remarkable “Star-Spangled Banner” in San Diego, opting for a straightforward approach strengthened with alluring harmonies. The Chicks’ patriotic ode ironically preceded a major political backlash: mere weeks later, lead singer Natalie Maines’ comments about President George W. Bush led to a politically-charged controversy.
Watch them sing the national anthem here.Faith Hill (2000)
The country diva seized the mic at the turn of the millennium, and offered one of the cleanest vocal renditions to date. The relatively simple backing band —compared with some of the massive orchestras in other years —lets Faith’s voice take center stage, which doesn’t shrink from the challenge. Perhaps the best part, though, is the final flourish:a clenched fist, candid grin and a mouthed “whoo.”She’s nailed it, and she knows it.
Watch her performance here.Choirs of the Armed Forces (2005)
In a break from the star-studded roster that had honored America for decades, organizers aimed the spotlight on the nation’s military during the 2005 Super Bowl. With choirs from all five branches of the armed forces accompanied by the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, thispoignant version resonates, particularly in the shadow of the escalating conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq at the time.
Watch here.Lady Gaga (2016)
By the time Lady Gaga hit the Super Bowl stage in 2016, she’d been preparing audiences for her vocal display for the better part of a year. In addition to various appearances to supportCheek to Cheek,her jazz and standards album with Tony Bennett, she also won praise for a medley of songs fromThe Sound of Musicat the 87th Academy Awards. Little surprise, then, that Gaga painted her rendition of the anthem witha full-throated, theatrical-leaning take that wasa nod to her performance roots. And for the Little Monsters who hopedfor a bold outfit to complementthe booming voice, Gagarocked a glittery red pantsuit with platform shoes and blue-starred nails ina full-body tribute to the stars and stripes.
Watch her sing the national anthem here.Mariah Carey (2002)
As one of the definitive voices in pop music, it’s a little odd that Mimi didn’t score her Super Bowl turn until more than a decade into her career. Still, Mariah’s turn at the microphone held a place in history, coming as the first Super Bowl game after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. With the memory still fresh on the American consciousness (and a commorative statue placed in the stadium), the songbird soared with an apt, solemn rendition before cresting on the song’s ending, including a visit to the whistle register on “the land of the free.”
Watch her performance here.Luther Vandross (1997)
Everything Luther sang was smooth, and his “Star-Spangled Banner” is no exception. With a velvety, R&B-laced arrangement backing him, Luther cuts out the most suave rendition since Marvin Gaye’s legendary NBA All-Star interpretation in 1983. For those who prefer a little more gusto with their national anthems, Luther raises the stakes at the end, showing his mastery of both vocal purring and power.
Watch here.Kelly Clarkson (2012)
The pop superstar offered a soul-tinged interpretation on the country’s standard song in Indianapolis, complete with an angelic backing choir. A decade removed since herAmerican Idolcoronation, the original Idol proved she still owned the requisite chops to deliver a stirring rendition of the classic.
Watch here.Beyoncé (2004)
In 2004, NFL organizers offeredBeyoncéthis choice for a Super Bowl performance in her native Houston: halftime show or national anthem.She elected to fulfill a childhood dream, and chose the anthem – a smart move. Some sixmonths after her debut solo albumDangerously In Lovedropped, the soon-to-be Queen Bey proclaimed herself abonafidesolo star. And, to be fair,Beyoncéclaimed both musical spotlightseventually: eight years after performing the national anthem, Bey hit the stage for a high-octane halftime show.
Watch her sing the national anthem here.Jennifer Hudson (2009)
Jennifer Hudson sighed heavily as the first notes filled the stadium, and proceeded to blow the crowd away. The Oscar winner’s take —backed by a lush orchestra —continually improves on itself, growing from itsopening faintness to the final knockout notes courtesy of Hudson’s trademark powerhouse vocals. For viewers at the time, the diva’s deliver of the lyrics, which championendurance and resolve, evoked a touching personal significance to thiscareer milestone: Hudson’s appearance marked her first public engagementsince the murders of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew the previous October.
Watch it here.Chris Stapleton (2023)
Stapleton appeared on the field dressed in all black with his trusty guitar in hand to give a moving rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” A number of players and coaching staff — including the Eagles’ head coach Nick Sirianni — were seen crying on the sidelines during the country star’s performance.
Watch here.Whitney Houston (1991)
Who else? Whitney, at the peak of her vocal powers, roared through a rousing rendition in 1991that is widely considered the gold standard.The superstar’s stentorian rendition suited the wave of patriotism flooding the United States at the height of the Persian Gulf War, and public demand for the rendition ledArista Records to release the recording as a commercial single.It subsequently burst onto the Billboard Hot 100, ultimately peaking at No. 20. Yet, the performance remained such a pop culture staple that Houston’s interpretation later climbed into the top 10 —peaking at No. 6 —following its reissue after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Watch her stellar performance here.
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