Super Bowl national anthem history: List of best, worst performers all time

Drew Nantais

Super Bowl national anthem history: List of best, worst performers all time image

The list of national anthem singers throughout Super Bowl history includes a wide variety of styles and local flair.

From Grammy-winning recording artists to college marching bands, the "Star-Spangled Banner" has been performed before virtually every Super Bowl since the inaugural game in 1967. The renditions range from jaw-dropping to forgetable. Where will Super Bowl 54 rank among the group?

Here's a glimpse at the history of national anthem at the Super Bowl, including the best and worst performances all time and a complete list of every singer from 1967 to 2020.

MORE: Super Bowl halftime show history, from best to worst

Who is singing the national anthem at Super Bowl 54?

Demi Lovato is this year's Super Bowl national anthem singer. Lovato, 27, rose to fame as a tennager by starring in Disney Channel's "Camp Rock." She has released six albums, most recently 2017's "Tell Me You Love Me," which went platinum. Famous singles of Lovato's include "Heart Attack," "Cool for the Summer" and "Sorry Not Sorry," the last of which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard charts. She has also battled addiction in recent years.

Christine Sun Kim will sign the national anthem.

Best Super Bowl national anthems

Whitney Houston, Super Bowl XXV

Houston's rendition of the anthem is regarded by many to be one of, if not the greatest performance in Super Bowl history. People wept in the stands and in front of their televisions, and song itself became a top-20 pop hit after the game. Her performance at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Fla. set the stage for a thrilling game that resulted in a 20-19 victory by the Giants over the Bills.

Beyoncé, Super Bowl XXXVIII

Before the Panthers and Patriots clashed at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Beyoncé sang a national anthem to remeber. The Houston native would go on to perform at halftime of Super Bowls XLVII and 50.

Jennifer Hudson, Super Bowl XLIII

Hudson's performance kicked off one of the most memorable Super Bowls in recent memory. the Steelers topped the Cardinals 27-23 thanks to a game-winning touchdown catch by Pittsburgh's Santonio Holmes.

Worst Super Bowl national anthems

Christina Aguilera, Super Bowl XLV

Aguilera is a Grammy-winning artist with an incredible voice. While she was able to hit the notes in impressive fashion, she botched the lyrics about 40 seconds into the performance.

Aretha Franklin, Aaron Neville and Dr. John, Suber Bowl XL

With the Super Bowl between the Seahawks and Steelers in Detroit, it was only fitting that the NFL had Franklin perform the anthem. It was also the first Super Bowl played in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, so New Orleans-natives Neville and John accompanied Franklin. A star-studded lineup of performers should have provided for an awe-inspiring anthem, but it instead wasn't.

List of Super Bowl national anthem history

Super BowlYearPerformer(s)
I1967The Pride of Arizona, Michigan Marching Band and UCLA choir
II1968Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band
III1969Lloyd Geisler of the Washington National Symphony Orchestra
IV1970AL Hirt
V1971Tommy Loy
VI1972U.S. Air Force Academy Chorale
VII1973Little Angels Children's Choir of Chicago's Holy Angels Church
VIII1974Charley Pride
IX1975Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band
X1976Tom Sullivan
XI1977None (Vikki Carr sand "America the Beautiful)
XII1978Phyllis Kell of the University of Louisiana at Monroe
XIII1979Te Colgate Thirteen
XIV1980Cheryl Ladd
XV1981Helen O'Connell
XVI1982Diana Ross
XVII1983Leslie Easterbrook
XVIII1984Barry Manilow
XIX1985San Francisco Boys Chorus, San Francisco Girls Chorus, Piedmont Children's Chorus and San Francisco Children's Chorus
XX1986Wynston Marsalis
XXI1987Neil Diamond
XXII1988Herb Alpert
XXIII1989Billy Joel
XXIV1990Aaron Neville
XXV1991Whitney Houston with the Florida Orchestra
XXVI1992Harry Connick, Jr.
XXVII1993Garth Brooks
XXVIII1994Natalie Cole
XXIX1995Kathie Lee Gifford
XXX1996Vanessa L. Williams
XXXI1997Luther Vandross
XXXII1998Jewel
XXXIII1999Cher
XXXIV2000Faith Hill
XXXV2001Backstreet Boys
XXXVI2002Mariah Carey
XXXVII2003Dixie Chicks
XXXVIII2004Beyoncé
XXXIX2005U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and the choirs from the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy
XL2006Aaron Neville, Arethra Franklin and Dr. John
XLI2007Billy Joel
XLII2008Jordin Sparks
XLIII2009Jennifer Hudson
XLIV2010Carrie Underwood
XLV2011Christina Aguilera
XLVI2012Kelly Clarkson
XLVII2013Alicia Keys
XLVIII2014Renée Fleming
XLIX2015Idina Menzel
502016Lady Gaga
LI2017Luke Bryan
LII2018P!nk
LIII2019Gladys Knight
LIV2020Demi Lovato

Drew Nantais