With Super Bowl 50 merely a day away, all eyes (and ears) are on Lady Gaga as she gears up to open the extravaganza with the the US National Anthem (‘The Star Spangled Banner’).
Over the years, the song has become notorious for its ability to both catapult and crush careers.
Which renditions should Gaga be Googling?
Join us after the jump as we countdown our Top 5 Super Bowl ‘Star Spangled Banner’ Performances.
Did your favorite make the list?
5. Kelly Clarkson (2012)
America’s original Idol has transformed her reality show fame into a household name. After countless awards and #1’s, the former ‘Duets’ coach showcased her vocal prowess with her amazing rendition of the National Anthem at the 2012 Super Bowl. The soon to be mother of two is nominated for two Grammys this year, which air next week: February 15th.
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4. Luther Vandross (1997)
Butter voiced Vandross serenaded the masses with countless hits such as ‘Dance with My Father,’ and ‘A House Is Not a Home,’ but in 1997 he lent his incomparable vocals to the national anthem. Bringing a level of groove and soul to the performance, Luther left a memorable showing that his male counterparts have yet to match. Though epic showings like this, he’ll forever live on.
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3. Beyonce (2004)
A then 22-year-old Beyonce took the stage at the 38th Super Bowl to deliver a captivating performance of the 19th century classic.
On the brink of proving herself as a solo star, this showing helped cement her as an individual powerhouse. Little did the rising starlet know, almost a decade later she would be blazing the Super Bowl stage with an unforgettable halftime showing.
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2. Jennifer Hudson (2009)
Just a few months after the horrific loss of her mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew, Jennifer captured the hearts of America with her emotional performance of the national anthem. With a level poise, control, and power that has arguably not been seen since our number one pick, Ms. Hudson is in a league all of her own. Well done.
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1. Whitney Houston (1991)
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Ms. Houston’s mind-blowing performance of the Star Spangled Banner. This rendition continues to serve as the bar and benchmark for singers the world over. Flaunting full American pride (by way of her now iconic tracksuit and headband, the vocal prodigy left the world forever changed in that moment in time. Her talent remains unmatched, and her presence greatly missed. Long live The Voice!
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Honorable Mentions:
Mariah Carey (2002)
Cher (1999)
Faith Hill (2001)
Carrie Underwood (2010)
Jordin Sparks (2008)
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What are your favorites? Do you think Gaga will join the list come tomorrow?
Mariah not 1 or at the least 2? With THAT voice? Child, #mess.
Yeah Mimi got serious vocal chops but her rendition of the anthem was not memorable or to be aspired to sorry.
But Beyoncé’s was? What kind of mess? How tf does Bey get a spot on this list over Mariah? This website is trash. They made this list just to start a Stan war. ? & Its shady af for them to have a pic of Mariah but not include her on the list. I’m logging out, I can’t deal.
WFT???!!!! Where is Mariah?! Heyonce aka thighonce even got an appearance with his talent less bleached a$$. BS!
WHITNEY IS NUMBER 1.
MARIAH IS NUMBER 2.
YOU CAN NOT COMPARE WHITNEY OR MARIAH TO THE WANNABE’S THAT MAKE UP 3,4,5.
THIS SITE CAN NEVER REALLY BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
Yeah this website is a joke. They try so damn hard to push beyonce down our throats. I actually use to like her a lot until these stupid sites and emotional bottoms became her fans
So true lily
Y’all should have researched some more – every major entertainment site has rated beyonce’s performance of the star spangled banner the best of the 21st century and overall second best after the one and only legendary whitney “the voice” Houston
Then every “major entertainment site” is wrong. Thighyonce’s rendition while technically great was completely uninspired and generic. There was zero soul or creativity to it.
this site is on Beyonce’s payroll, of course she is on the list.
#mariah&thatwhistle
You will find Beyoncé on every “best national anthem list” so that’s irrelevant. Mariah isn’t even in billboard’s top ten. I don’t see why Mariah fans are blaming this particular site for Mariah’s absence on the list when she isn’t on the list on virtually any other site either.
Girl shut up
Here’s a list fRih will never make! Lets also not forget how the Queens Halftime show was rated by many music and sports publications as one of the best. Alot of those publications put her 2nd behind Prince! That will be another list fRih will always remain from KIII!!!
Thighyonce was a hot mess in this performance. Things like this just show us how poor her back catalogue is! Only one maybe 2 classics and the rest total trash! She will never ever be at Mariah’s level. NEVER
Oh and i was referring to this half time show not the one posted above
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp2cBXvuDf8
Chile, Rihanna should just skip the Super Bowl altogether and focus on finishing ANTI now that the demo full of snippets, reference tracks and scratch vocals has been leaked and downloaded to the gods lol…those lil itty bitty songs that she’s trying hard to sell for FREE AND FULL PRICE…I can’t! lol 🙂
your obsession with Rihanna is really creepy
lmfao not fRih I’d rather see Nicki rap it TBH
Rihanna will not make the list because she’s not an American citizen. As far as I’m aware (correct me if i’m wrong) you can only sing the anthem if you are.
Oh please that bitxh wants to be Merican so bad. She tried it with American Oxygen.
The Voice and The Song Bird Supreme!!! Two f*cken legends.
Great choices. Would have Bey as 2nd because due to the way she ended it. One of the more dynamic u.s. national anthems vocally constructed and executed.
Mariah in top 4 just for the lighting alone. You know she requested that without a doubt lol. Love her.
Nippy just flawless and easily numéro uno. Luther sooo velvety with that tone.
Im sorry Jennifer Hudsons wasnt all that great.Mariahs should be #3.Beyonce #2.Whitney #1.Luther an Marvin Gaye should tie
Yes fr everyone forgetting Whitney even said Marvin’s remediation was her fav and inspired hers.
My favorites at the super bowl are,in no particular order:
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Beyonce: the ending is phenomenal, and she gave us some church runs too- YEs!!!
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Mariah Carey:they wheeled her aśš out in a straight jacket, fresh off of her break down and she still killedT it!!!!” annnnnnnd the rockets rrrrred glaaaaaaarrrre!l And that WHISTLE! Allllright MariaH!
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Whitney: Classic, timeless, EFFORTLESS! Slay whit!
SCREAMING! Not straight out of rehab! *crying*
Only one Whitney ❤
Beyonce deserved to be there. That rendition was excellent. Just because your fave sounds like a cackling goat doesn’t change that.
This true tea ☕ ki
Yes thanks for posting this it make my day the queen bey slay as always I wish her all the blessing and good luck toher supper bowlhalf time this Sunday and gold play
This made your day! Made your day!!! do you have friends, and window at your accommodation. There is a life out there in the real world away from the computer.
Whitney leaves them all in the dust
I DONT as in I DO NOT like Whitney Houston & Jennifer hudson (& certainly not Straintina hollerleras) voice at all so i rule them out. It has to be Bey first then Mariah for me. Something bout beys voice during that whole era from 2003 to 2005. Her voice had the perfect balance between power soul & sultry… not to much of either, just the right balance of all 3. Plus her technique/control/ & conviction was unforgivably good.
I thought fat people were slow only physically
LMFAOOOO
And by the looks of your picture you don’t like (real) fruit, salads or basically anything that hasn’t been deep fried or shrouded in sugar.
you wanna comment on taste.
& b4 sum1 comes for me ruling whitney and jennifer (the audacity of sam to even put jhud abovr bey or in the top 5) they both lack a unique special voice. Noone sounds like mariah or Bey they have sum of the most unique tones in the bizness… team LIGHT SKIN… sure that helps lol
Lol the delusions write themselves theses days. Yes you are right to your opinion as is a asshole is to theirs. Whitney’s version to this day is (will forever) remain #1. I remember watching this performance when I was a child and my uncle was overseas because of the war. That performance restored this country faith and courage of our soldiers overseas. I love Mariahs version as well but I always felt she wrote her on SSB with Hero.
Whitney and Marvin >
Beyonces was nice, but not memorable to ME.
I didn’t care for Jennifer’s.
Beyoncé was nice. But it was even better during the inaguration.
When she mimed?
You do know that Whitney’s Super Bowl performance was lipped as well, right? And it’s still the best. That doesn’t take away from anything.
I didnt say bey was the best singer i simply said she gave the best reindition. Overall its 1. Whitney 2 mariah 3 bey but as far as the national anthem its 1 Bey 2 whitney 3 mariah or maybe 2 mariah 3 whitney but Beys was perfect from begining to end without showing off or trying to hard to outsing the last performer.
Whitney Houston’s version went Platinum. That’s all….
These Rihanna Stans hiding behind Mariah Carey!???
There was absolutely nothing memorable or special about Mariah Carey’s rendition period! Meanwhile,22 year old Beyonce’s rendition makes the best of list since she performed it 13 years ago!
These aren’t Mariah fans,these are navy members who have no backbone and have jumped ship because anti flopped!
No one cares about that tired whistle she hit,it still wasn’t better than a lot of singers with less range and that’s including Beyonce’s!
Jhud better than Beys? Honey pls with that b.s. Bey and Whitney were the best that ever did it.
What about ciara☺
Messy bootz
MARIAH AND WHITNEY. LEGENDS.
Cute list. Just as Whitney’s performance remains the standard for singers in general, I also feel like Luther’s should be regarded as much. Unlike the ladies who have delivered some truly great renditions, I don’t think there are as many male males who have have reached that standard.
Bey’s Soprano was in full effect during this performance. However, seeing that she’s a Mezzo, her voice has obviously darkened with age to give way to a richer sound. Loved J. Hud’s too. Looking forward to Gags on Sunday.
Bey shouldn’t be on this. What a joke
Might as well throw Christina in there as well ??
I can’t wait for Nicki to headline the Superbowl. H*** will lose their wigs….and she might even bring out CiCi as a special guest. I’m here for it.
I would Put DC on #1. Those harmonies were insane n the vocals were cohesive n on point.
Exactly! That’s a big oversight, their version is amazing!
Whitney´s is obviously the best ever. It´s something one cannot describe. No amount of great technique (as fans of some other singers always insist on using to say their fave is as good as Whitney and the likes) can move you like this. It´s everything, it´s technique but it´s also being a natural. The whole vocal package.
Whitney and Jhuds was beautiful
Mariah should be #2 or 3
Gaga will def end up #3
Aww Beyonce baby voice
For me Nippy’s version is #1, hands down! I don’t know why people are mad about Bey’s version being listed, she totally made it her own! It’s easily my 2nd favorite! I’m not into JHud, but I’d place her 3rd. She delivered!