# What is the best Super Bowl national anthem performance?

> Some of these renditions became hit records; others are remembered for a lyric slip, a sideline close-up or a pregame standoff. Pick the one that still gives you chills.

*By YPB Team · Published November 13, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-best-super-bowl-national-anthem-performance*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Whitney Houston – Super Bowl XXV (1991)** — score 1000/1000
   Sung at Tampa Stadium ten days into the Gulf War air campaign, her recording was released as a single that reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991 and No. 6 on its 2001 reissue.
2. **Gladys Knight – Super Bowl LIII (2019)** — score 606/1000
   The Atlanta-born soul singer performed at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in her hometown.
3. **Luther Vandross – Super Bowl XXXI (1997)** — score 606/1000
   The R&B singer performed at the Louisiana Superdome before the Packers beat the Patriots.
4. **Christina Aguilera – Super Bowl XLV (2011)** — score 590/1000
   At Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, she sang an altered line in place of "O'er the ramparts we watched," a lyric slip she apologized for after the game.
5. **Kelly Clarkson – Super Bowl XLVI (2012)** — score 548/1000
   Joined by the Indianapolis Children's Choir, she sang at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis before the Giants beat the Patriots.
6. **Demi Lovato – Super Bowl LIV (2020)** — score 548/1000
   Performed at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens one week after her return to the stage at the 2020 Grammy Awards.
7. **Billy Joel – Super Bowl XXIII (1989)** — score 501/1000
   He sang at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami and returned to perform the anthem again at Super Bowl XLI in 2007.
8. **Carrie Underwood – Super Bowl XLIV (2010)** — score 448/1000
   The 2005 American Idol winner sang at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens before the Saints beat the Colts.
9. **Pink – Super Bowl LII (2018)** — score 448/1000
   Pink sang at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis while ill with the flu, removing a throat lozenge just before she began.
10. **Alicia Keys – Super Bowl XLVII (2013)** — score 388/1000
   Accompanying herself on piano at the Louisiana Superdome, she sang a version timed at about 2 minutes 36 seconds, the longest Super Bowl anthem on record.
11. **Chris Stapleton – Super Bowl LVII (2023)** — score 388/1000
   A stripped-down version played on electric guitar at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, during which Eagles coach Nick Sirianni was shown in tears.
12. **Idina Menzel – Super Bowl XLIX (2015)** — score 320/1000
   The Broadway and Frozen star sang at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, before the Patriots beat the Seahawks.
13. **Jon Batiste – Super Bowl LIX (2025)** — score 320/1000
   The Louisiana-born musician played his own piano arrangement at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
14. **Garth Brooks – Super Bowl XXVII (1993)** — score 320/1000
   Sung at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena after a pregame standoff in which he walked out until NBC aired his "We Shall Be Free" video.
15. **Renée Fleming – Super Bowl XLVIII (2014)** — score 320/1000
   The soprano became the first opera singer to sing the Super Bowl anthem, at MetLife Stadium with the Armed Forces Chorus.
16. **Jennifer Hudson – Super Bowl XLIII (2009)** — score 320/1000
   At Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, it was her first public performance after the killings of her mother, brother and nephew in October 2008.
17. **Mariah Carey – Super Bowl XXXVI (2002)** — score 320/1000
   Performed with the Boston Pops under Keith Lockhart at the Louisiana Superdome, the first Super Bowl played after the September 11 attacks.
18. **Faith Hill – Super Bowl XXXIV (2000)** — score 241/1000
   The country singer performed at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta before the St. Louis Rams beat the Tennessee Titans.
19. **Beyoncé – Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004)** — score 241/1000
   Beyoncé sang the anthem at Reliant Stadium in her hometown of Houston before the Patriots beat the Panthers.
20. **Charlie Puth – Super Bowl LX (2026)** — score 241/1000
   Backed by choirs, an orchestra and Kenny G on saxophone at Levi's Stadium, Puth described his arrangement as a tribute to Whitney Houston's 1991 version.
21. **Lady Gaga – Super Bowl 50 (2016)** — score 241/1000
   Lady Gaga sang at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara a year before she headlined the Super Bowl LI halftime show.
22. **Reba McEntire – Super Bowl LVIII (2024)** — score 149/1000
   The country singer opened the first Super Bowl held in Las Vegas, at Allegiant Stadium.

Tags: music, usa, nfl, performances, super bowl, national anthem