It is an honor to sing The Star-Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl each year. More viewers will be tuned in to watch the national anthem for the Super Bowl than any other event in the United States. That’s why it is very important for the singer to put on a solid performance and to not mess up, otherwise that person will receive a ton of scrutiny in the media.
That happened just a few years ago when Christina Aguilera sang the lyrics incorrectly. There have also been numerous singers accused of lip syncing. While she wasn’t singing the national anthem, Janet Jackson had a huge wardrobe malfunction during the halftime show. As a result, singers have been chosen wisely since.
The national anthem has been performed at every Super Bowl other than XI. Vicki Carr sang America the Beautiful instead. That trend has really come alive in recent years as the national anthem has been preceded by America the Beautiful. In the early years, it was proceeded by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Whitney Houston nailed her 1991 performance, which occurred during the Gulf War. Many believe her effort was the best in history. In fact, her performance was released as a single in 1991 and appeared on the album Whitney: The Greatest Hits. It was re-released after 9/11 as well.
Faith Hill put together a beautiful rendition at Super Bowl XXXIV. Shortly after 9/11, Hill’s version entered the Country singles chart at number 35 despite not being released as an official single.
The 2024 Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will feature country legend Reba McEntire.
Each year, sites like Bovada offer a prop on the over/under of how long it will take to sing the song, as well as sometimes props on whether or not the singer will forget words or use incorrect words when performing the anthem.
| Super Bowl | Year | Performer |
|---|---|---|
| LVIII | 2024 | Reba McEntire |
| LVII | 2023 | Chris Stapleton |
| LVI | 2022 | Mickey Guyton |
| LV | 2021 | Eric Church & Jasmine Sullivan |
| LIV | 2020 | Demi Lovato |
| LII | 2019 | Gladys Knight |
| LII | 2018 | Pink |
| LI | 2017 | Luke Bryan |
| L | 2016 | Lady Gaga |
| XLIX | 2015 | Idina Menzel |
| XLVIII | 2014 | Renee Fleming |
| XLVII | 2013 | Alicia Keys |
| XLVI | 2012 | Kelly Clarkson |
| XLV | 2011 | Chistina Aguilera |
| XLIV | 2010 | Carrie Underwood |
| XLIII | 2009 | Jennifer Hudson |
| XLII | 2008 | Jordin Sparks |
| XLI | 2007 | Billy Joel |
| XL | 2006 | Aretha Franklin |
| XXXIX | 2005 | Combined U.S. Armed Forces Choirs |
| XXXVIII | 2004 | Beyonce |
| XXXVII | 2003 | Dixie Chicks |
| XXXVI | 2002 | Mariah Carey |
| XXXV | 2001 | Backstreet Boys |
| XXXIV | 2000 | Faith Hill |
| XXXIII | 1999 | Cher |
| XXXII | 1998 | Jewel |
| XXXI | 1997 | Luther Vandross |
| XXX | 1996 | Vanessa Williams |
| XXIX | 1995 | Kathie Lee Gifford |
| XXVIII | 1994 | Natalie Cole |
| XXVII | 1993 | Garth Brooks |
| XXVI | 1992 | Harry Connick, Jr. |
| XXV | 1991 | Whitney Houston |
| XXIV | 1990 | Aaron Neville |
| XXIII | 1989 | Billy Joel |
| XXII | 1988 | Herb Alpert (trumpet) |
| XXI | 1987 | Neil Diamond |
| XX | 1986 | Wynton Marsalis (trumpet) |
| XIX | 1985 | Combined Bay Area Children’s Choruses |
| XVIII | 1984 | Barry Manilow |
| XVII | 1983 | Leslie Easterbrook |
| XVI | 1982 | Diana Ross |
| XV | 1981 | Helen O’Connell |
| XIV | 1980 | Cheryl Ladd |
| XIII | 1979 | The Colgate Thirteen |
| XII | 1978 | Phyllis Kelly |
| XI | 1977 | None |
| X | 1976 | Tom Sullivan |
| IX | 1975 | GSU Tiger Marching Band |
| VIII | 1974 | Charley Pride |
| VII | 1973 | Little Angels Children’s Choir |
| VI | 1972 | U.S. Air Force Academy Chorale |
| V | 1971 | Tommy Loy (trumpet) |
| IV | 1970 | Al Hirt |
| III | 1969 | Lloyd Geisler |
| II | 1968 | GSU Tiger Marching Band |
| I | 1967 | The Pride of Arizona, Michigan Marching Band & UCLA Choir |