Ah, the National Anthem. That one shining moment before every major sporting event where someone either nails it and becomes a legend, or absolutely butchers it and becomes the butt of jokes for decades. The Star-Spangled Banner has been performed countless times, but only a select few have truly made a lasting impression—either in a good way or a horrifically bad way. Let’s dive into the absolute best and worst National Anthem performances in sports history, because some of these are pure hot garbage, and others? Well, they’ll give you chills.

The 5 Best National Anthem Performances

1. Whitney Houston – Super Bowl XXV (1991)

Let’s start with the undisputed GOAT of National Anthem performances. Whitney Houston didn’t just sing the anthem, she delivered it as if her voice had been blessed by the gods themselves. During a time of war and tension in the U.S., she belted out a rendition so powerful it’s still the gold standard for all who dare to follow. No one has come close, and let’s be honest—they never will.

2. Marvin Gaye – 1983 NBA All-Star Game

Marvin Gaye turned the National Anthem into a smooth, soulful jam like only he could. Accompanied by a drum machine, his rendition was so relaxed and unique that it stood out from every other anthem performance in history. It didn’t just stir patriotic feelings—it made people want to sway and dance. If only every anthem could be this cool, sporting events might be just a little less painful to sit through.

3. Beyoncé – Super Bowl XLVII (2004)

Of course, Beyoncé makes this list. In 2004, she showed up to the Super Bowl and flawlessly delivered a rendition that was both classic and contemporary. No frills, no drama—just Bey being her incredible, inhumanly talented self. It wasn’t flashy, but it was powerful, and, like everything she touches, it turned into solid gold. Plus, she did it live, proving once again why she’s Queen Bey.

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4. Lady Gaga – Super Bowl 50 (2016)

Lady Gaga doesn’t do anything half-heartedly, and her anthem performance at Super Bowl 50 was no exception. Dressed in a glittering red pantsuit, she brought her signature vocal power to the anthem while staying surprisingly restrained (by Gaga standards). Her performance was pure class, and she hit those notes like a pro, making her one of the best to ever take on the challenge.

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5. Jimi Hendrix – Woodstock (1969)

Okay, it wasn’t a sporting event, but Hendrix’s rendition of the anthem at Woodstock is too legendary to ignore. His electric guitar performance of the anthem was both a musical masterpiece and a protest piece, capturing the turbulence of the era. It was raw, rebellious, and still resonates as one of the most iconic performances of any anthem ever. You don’t get more rock ‘n roll than that.

The 5 Worst National Anthem Performances

1. Ingrid Andress – MLB Home Run Derby (2024)

No “professional” singer has ever been more off-key in multiple places than this performance. The other disastrous performances on the worst list are by mostly by celebrities who gave it the old college try, but Andress is a paid, apparently Emmy-winning? country singer. This was a disaster the whole way through. Throw in the cop-out the next day where Andress claims she was drunk and checked into rehab to attempt to wash this massive stain from her memory. But guess what…the Internet NEVER forgets.

2. Roseanne Barr – San Diego Padres Game (1990)

Where do we even begin? Roseanne Barr’s performance is the stuff of legend—but for all the wrong reasons. She screeched, she laughed, and she made the anthem sound like a dying cat’s last breaths. To make it worse, she spat and grabbed her crotch afterward, causing an absolute uproar. It was a national disgrace, and no one has forgiven her since. This one set the bar for “worst” at an unreachable height.

3. Fergie – 2018 NBA All-Star Game

If Roseanne set the bar for most vulgar, Fergie sets the bar for most bizarre. She tried to turn the anthem into some weird, sultry jazz number, but it came off as confusing, cringe-worthy, and just plain bad. The players on the court could barely keep it together, and the internet roasted her performance for weeks. She later apologized, but the damage was already done. It’s cemented in bad-anthem infamy forever.

4. Carl Lewis – 1993 NBA Game

Carl Lewis is a legendary athlete, but apparently, he didn’t train his vocal cords the same way he trained his body. His off-key and strained rendition of the anthem at a 1993 NBA game was so bad that he stopped mid-performance to say, “Uh-oh, I’ll make up for it now.” Spoiler: he didn’t. His off-pitch screeching will live in our memories as one of the biggest anthem fails in sports history.

5. Steven Tyler – Indianapolis 500 (2001)

Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler thought it would be a good idea to add a little rock ‘n roll flair to the anthem, but instead, he butchered it. He added a harmonica solo (which no one asked for), forgot the lyrics, and even changed the ending to “home of the Indianapolis 500.” Patriots everywhere cringed, and the performance went down as one of the most awkwardly terrible in the anthem hall of shame.

There you have it, folks: the best and worst National Anthem performances to ever grace (or disgrace) sports events. Some left us inspired, while others left us questioning why anyone would attempt to sing such a difficult song in front of millions. But hey, whether you’re on the winning or losing side of the anthem game, at least you’ll be remembered—whether for all the right reasons or all the wrong ones.