Best Superbowl National Anthems

[89th]

So I came across this article: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/super-bowl-national-anthem-ranking-best-performances-of-the-star-spangled-banner-in-super-bowl-history/#:~:text=1.,anthem performance of all time.

Here is Whitney's performance. Hard to argue with, what a talent:

Link to video

Here is Neville's (and Franklin's). I really like Aaron Neville, but he was hung out to dry this time.

Link to video

I'm glad to see this list had Stapleton's performance of recent: https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-super-bowl-national-anthem-performances/chris-stapleton-2023/

A man and his guitar. Some nice guitar treatments too (the 3 note transition each time), but specifically, his voice/run starting at 0:51, so gooooooood:

Link to video

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Thoughts?

[Doctor Phibes]

@89th said in Best Superbowl National Anthems:

Thoughts?

I think you need to find the worst ones. You know you want it.

[George K]

I always found Whitney Houston's version just too "shriek-ey." Too much embellishment and vocal pyrotechnics.

Lady Gaga does it too, but she's on pitch better than Houston.

Link to video

[Doctor Phibes]

@George-K said in Best Superbowl National Anthems:

I always found Whitney Houston's version just too "shriek-ey." Too much embellishment and vocal pyrotechnics.

I agree. It's supposed to the national anthem, not primarily a chance to show off.

As talented as Whitney Houston was, I think she bears some responsibility for what happened afterwards to female vocalists going completely nuts with the amount of singing all over the place that seems to now be almost obligatory.

Less is more, IMHO. Billie Holiday, arguably the most influential vocalist of the 20th century, could embellish a song, but she didn't go freaking crazy with it.

[89th]

Yes good points. I've listened to the Stapleton version a few times... it's really, really good.