Yahoo Lifestyle 12 Iconic Super Bowl National Anthem Performances Over the Years
Aside from rooting for our team to win the game, there are a few things we look forward to each Super Bowl Sunday: the watch parties, hilarious and inspiring ads, the jaw-dropping halftime show, and the National Anthem performance. Each artist has brought their own flavor and style to the stage. While it’s hard to rank the bands, country artists, pop stars, and R&B singers that had the prestigious honor of gracing the stage over the past fifty-plus years, here are 12 Super Bowl national anthem performances throughout the years that we have enjoyed.
1982: Diana Ross (Super Bowl XVI, Pontiac Silverdome)
From the first game in 1967 through the early 80s, The Star Spangled Banner was mainly performed by marching bands (and instrumentalists) such as The Pride of Arizona, UCLA Choir, and the Michigan Marching Band, the first performers. However, in 1982, the legendary Diana Ross performed for Super Bowl XVI in Pontiac, Michigan, kicking off a list of music icons who've given us their rendition of the patriotic song. With just a starting note from a piano, Ross sang a cappella!
1991: Whitney Houston and the Florida Orchestra (Super Bowl XXV, Tampa Stadium)
Houston's rendition of the National Anthem, which incorporated jazz, gospel, and blues elements, is arguably the best performance in Super Bowl History. Her powerful voice and performance served as a beacon of hope to spectators, as the United States had just entered the Persian Gulf War ten days earlier. Unsurprisingly, the Grammy winner’s rendition was released as a single and became a top-20 hit.
2021: Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church (Super Bowl LV, Raymond James Stadium)
Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan wowed the crowd as a surprising duo. They belted out the National Anthem using blended yet contrasting genres. Church brought forth a classic country sound, while Sullivan added an R&B twist.
2001: Backstreet Boys (Super Bowl XXXV, Raymond James Stadium)
The Backstreet Boys were among the most popular groups in the 90s, with great hits and spectacular talent individually and collectively. The group chose the latter when presented with a choice to perform with the halftime show or the pre-kick-off ceremony in Tampa, Florida, where Nick Carter was raised. They remain the first and only boy band to perform the National Anthem at The Super Bowl.
2003: Dixie Chicks (Super Bowl XXXVII, Qualcomm Stadium)
Speaking of groups, how can you highlight one of the most popular boy bands without mentioning a girl's group that holds its own in the music industry? The performance of the Queens of Country, also known as The (formerly Dixie) Chicks, was a masterclass in three-part harmony. It is still one of the most talked about performances in Super Bowl History.
1999: Cher (Super Bowl XXXIII, Pro Player Stadium)
Cher is a powerhouse, and her rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner proved that. Her performance was accompanied by a choreographed group, “Speaking Hands,” which added a unique and dynamic element that the audience enjoyed.
2014: Renée Fleming (Super Bowl XLVIII, MetLife Stadium)
In the words of Queen Bey (who has also taken the stage to sing The National Anthem at the game), Girls Run the World. In a spine-chilling rendition, four-time Grammy-winner Renée Fleming wowed the crowd as the first opera and classical singer ever to sing at the Super Bowl.
2023: Chris Stapleton (Super Bowl LVII, State Farm Stadium)
Between his guitar accompaniment and soulful yet raspy voice, Chris’ rendition of the National Anthem was a simple yet emotional performance unlike any other we have seen thus far. He was joined by Academy Award-winner Troy Kotsur, who performed an American Sign Language version of the song.
2000: Faith Hill (Super Bowl XXXIV, Georgia Dome)
In a way that only Faith can, her version of the National Anthem, backed by bagpipes and drums, worked beautifully. Shortly after 9/11, Faith Hill’s version of The Star Spangled Banner found its way to the county singles chart.
1997: Luther Vandross (Super Bowl XXXI, Superdome)
What would a round-up of Super Bowl performances be without Luther Vandross? Luther’s vocals were truly unmatched and instantly commanded attention alongside his stage presence as soon as he stepped to the mic.
Marlee Matlin, Super Bowl XXVII (1993), Super Bowl XLI (2007), Super Bowl 50 (2016)
This may seem like an unusual entry for best performances, but Best Actress Oscar winner Marlee deserves placement for several reasons. One, very few people have graced the pre-ceremony stage more than once. Billy Joel and Aaron Neville have performed the National Anthem twice. Matlin has done it three times as a dynamic American Sign Language performer alongside Garth Brooks in 1993, Billy Joel in 2007, and Lady Gaga in 2016.
2022: Mickey Guyton (Super Bowl LVI, SoFi Stadium)
In Super Bowl history, several country music artists have performed the National Anthem, such as Luke Bryan, Reba McEntire, and others noted above. However, in 2022, Mickey Guyton became the first Black female country singer to perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl. Her performance, backed by a choir of vocalists, has been one of the best renditions and easily converted millions into a new fan of hers.
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