Watch The Two Greatest Performances Of The “National Anthem” By Whitney Houston And Chris Stapleton

The Super Bowl has seen many unforgettable national anthem performances, but two stand above the rest: Whitney Houston in 1991 and Chris Stapleton in 2023. Decades apart, these artists took the same song and made it their own.

Whitney Houston stepped onto the field at Tampa Stadium in 1991 and no one could have predicted that her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” would become one of the most celebrated performances in history. With a full orchestra behind her, she delivered the anthem with grace and power, her voice soaring without unnecessary embellishment—just pure, heartfelt emotion.

At a time when the country was on edge due to the Persian Gulf War, her performance struck a deep chord, uniting millions in a shared moment of patriotism. More than three decades later, it remains the gold standard for national anthem performances.

At the 2023 Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, Chris Stapleton performed a stripped-down yet deeply moving rendition of the national anthem. Accompanied only by his guitar, he let his raw, soulful voice take center stage.

His heartfelt performance struck an emotional chord, bringing some players to tears and leaving fans in awe. While different from the soaring patriotism of Whitney Houston’s legendary version, Stapleton’s take was pure and intimate.

Whitney Houston and Chris Stapleton gave us two outstanding renditions of the national anthem, each remarkable in its own way. Houston’s version was bold and soaring, a powerful reflection of the patriotic spirit of its time.

In contrast, Stapleton took a raw, stripped-down approach, letting his rich, soulful voice carry the emotion. Though vastly different in style, both performances left lasting impressions, proving that a great anthem can be reimagined in countless ways.