Every year the Super Bowl plays host to the best in sports and entertainment, enlisting some of music’s biggest icons and superstars to perform either the highly-coveted halftime show or National Anthem duties. Past Star Spangled Banner standouts include Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys and Whitney Houston‘s culturally transcendent rendition in 1991 just ten days into the First Gulf War that set a benchmark for all thereafter. This year, the NFL has selected Lady Gaga to do the honor of singing our country’s patriotic melody at Super Bowl 50 on CBS (the same network she’ll be performing a tribute to recently passed music legend David Bowie at the Grammy Awards the week after on Monday, February 15).
With the world watching, the pressure for a pitch-perfect vocal is just as crucial as remembering the lyrics. These nine singers don’t quite understand that balance. Check out their awkward, cringeworthy, and nonetheless, unforgettable National Anthem fails.
A young girl by the name of Natalie Gilbert starts off with a shaky yet manageable vocal run until she forgets from where we proudly hailed (:40). “At the stars lfjrhfjhf…” We don’t know what’s more awkward – forgetting the lyrics or that nervous laugh.
10-time Olympic medalist Carl Lewis proudly sprinted and long-jumped his way into the hearts of America, until he leaped right back out after deciding to sing the National Anthem during an NBA game. Enjoy this throwback ESPN footage and don’t worry, “he’ll make up for it.”
“Is it too late now to say sorry, ’cause I’m missing more than just…the lyrics?” If only she’d come back and complete the three-peat.
Even holding the lyrics in her hand, this goth crooner still manages to suck the life out of America’s longstanding nationalistic melody. She even has the audacity to take a quick break to clear the phlegm from her throat (:39).
R. Kelly’s controversial national anthem performance at a boxing match led to a firestorm of backlash after the R&B singer attempted a soulful rework of the American classic to the beat of his own 2003 hit “Step In The Name Of Love” – back-up dancers included.
Does the “banner yet glaze?” According to Gage Charles, yes! This awkwardly stoic rendition is sleep-inducing until the conundrum of misspoken lyrics reawakens you with uncontrollable laughter. Although, his head-shaking disapproval after he finishes is the same face we make watching a Donald Trump rally.
Comedienne Roseanne Barr’s shouting of the national anthem at a San Diego Padres game in 1990 may have gone down as one of the worst in history, or at least on YouTube. They say it isn’t over until the fat lady sings…and here we are.
Policemen are protectors of the community, and apparently the worst f—ing singers on the planet (in our best Simon Cowell voice). This Tennessee officer appears to be singing at a funeral for a fallen officer but we’re sure the deceased are turning in their grave with this one. #AllNationalAnthemsMatter
Further proof that kids are not good singers. Except “ABC” Michael Jackson.