A Definitive List of the Best National Anthem Performances Ever
From Whitney Houston to Chris Stapleton, tons of music legends have done the National Anthem proud.
The National Anthem is one of the hardest gigs even for the most talented vocalists out there, but we're not here to judge anyone's performance in any other way beside singing their praises. People on the internet spout enough criticism whenever a shaky take on "The Star-Spangled Banner" goes viral online. There have been so many great performances over the years with some facing the a cappella version head-on and others with musical accompaniment. Don't be upset if your favorite Super Bowl Pre-Game performance wasn't included in this roundup—there are honestly far more great renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" out there than terrible ones.
Diana Ross - Super Bowl XVI
Kicking off our list with a true legend, Diana Ross encouraged the crowd at Super Bowl XVI to sing along with her as she did a gentle take on the anthem that truly seemed effortless but still graceful and beautiful.
Whitney Houston - Super Bowl XXV
On the other side of the spectrum from Ross' gentle a cappella take, Whitney Houston had a full band backing her grand "Star-Spangled Banner" performance at Super Bowl XXV. It's pretty hard not to feel any swelling of emotion from Houston's beautiful performance.
The Chicks - Super Bowl XXXVII
Performing a beautiful three-part harmony, The Chicks (aka The Dixie Chicks) delivered another top-ranking Super Bowl National Anthem performance at the 2003 game. This performance coincidentally occurred weeks before facing a heavy backlash when they criticized the impending U.S. invasion of Iraq and then-President George W. Bush.
Taylor Swift - MLB World Series 2008
Before game 3 of the 2008 World Series, Taylor Swift strummed a glittery guitar while singing a clear and bright version of "The Star-Spangled Banner," which instills a sense of calm in you after a listen.
Beyoncé - Barack Obama's Second Term Inauguration
Beyoncé delivered a timeless version of the National Anthem at Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration for his second term as President. Accompanied by the U.S. Marine Band, Beyoncé brought some impressive vocal tricks to the performance while still not coming off as too showy.
Demi Lovato - 2015 MLB World Series
If you weren't expecting powerful vocals from Demi Lovato, get ready to be pleasantly surprised by the singer's undeniable talent. Singing before Game 4 of the World Series, Lovato faced the challenge of singing a cappella head-on, sounding incredible with a thoughtful pace, accented by crowd cheers and blasts of fireworks over Citi Field.
Aretha Franklin - Harvard University 363rd Commencement
An honorary degree recipient at this 2014 commencement ceremony, the incredible Aretha Franklin also sang the national anthem while playing her own piano accompaniment. Both powerful and delicate in equal measures, Franklin's performance certainly goes down in history as an all-timer.
Luke Bryan - Super Bowl LI
Luke Byran's high baritone voice and the "Star-Spangled Banner" are a match made in heaven, as exemplified by his Pre-Game Super Bowl LI performance. His performance filled NRG Stadium, clear and perfectly paced, with no frills needed to impress anyone watching.
Carrie Underwood - 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs
Yet another amazing a cappella performance, country legend Carrie Underwood's voice soared in this National Anthem performance before Game 2 of the 2018 Stanley Cup, inspiring the crowd to cheer and sing along.
Pink - Super Bowl LII
Pink sang a rousing version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" made even more impressive by the fact that she was reportedly belting with the flu and still sounding incredible. Being able to hit that high note while sick should qualify as a superpower.
Gladys Knight - Super Bowl LIII
The Empress of Soul performed a stunning rendition of the national anthem before Super Bowl LII between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots. Packed with emotion, it's impossible not to feel roused by Knight's showing.
Boyz II Men - Los Angeles Lakers v. Portland Trailblazers
This performance happened for a special pre-game ceremony to mourn the passing of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the pilot and other passengers of a helicopter that crashed in Callabasas in 2020. The signature harmonies of Boyz II Men were put to great use here and capped off an emotional moment of silence.
Mickey Guyton - 2021 National Memorial Day Concert
The incredible country artist Mickey Guyton stunned with this uplifting and bold version of the national anthem for the 2021 National Memorial Day Concert. Even though it was a pre-taped performance due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Guyton's vocals still shone through here.
Pentatonix - 2023 CFP National Championship
Talk about vocal range! This performance from the incredible a cappella quintet (wearing coordinating American flag colors, great touch) was certainly a stunner. Obviously, the group has performed a ton together over the years and they were perfectly in sync for this National Anthem performance.
Chris Stapleton - Super Bowl LVII
Along with some gentle guitarwork grounding his powerhouse voice, Chris Stapleton's Super Bowl pre-game performance in 2023 was truly a special moment. Simple yet still laden with emotion, Stapleton's performance is pretty much the ideal country take on the National Anthem.
Reba McEntire - Super Bowl LVIII
Reba McEntire performed a pitch-perfect National Anthem at 2024's Super Bowl LVIII that sounded like no one else but the country legend herself. Her gentle contralto filled the stadium and you could tell she was singing from the heart.
Jacob is a Temporary Partnerships Editor at Hearst based in Queens, New York with his partner and cat Tiger. He loves learning and writing about Film and TV, Video Games, and the weird histories of unexpected subjects.
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