Super Bowl XLIII is just weeks away and while most of us our clearing our throat for the cheering, screaming and cursing we’ll be doing, Jennifer Hudson is clearing her throat for a different reason.
Hudson will be singing the national anthem at Super Bowl 43 and the anthem has become a key part of the festivities. Now you can sift through endless list of the Super Bowl props and bet on how long the national anthem will be.
Last year, the over/under for Jordin Sparks rendition was set at 1:19 and it went way over the total. This year, Hudson will also likely go over the number as she figures to hang on every note.
Sports betting aside, there have been a number of memorable national anthems sung. From Natalie Cole’s version in 1994 with Troy Aikman holding his hand to his chest, to Cher’s chilling rendition in 1999, to Whitney Houston’s goosebumps-inducing performance in 1991 during the Gulf War, the national anthem has become part of the Super Bowl spectacle.
Which was your favorite national anthem moment?
Here is the history of the national anthem singers (courtesy of About.com):
I – Universities of Arizona & Michigan Bands (1967)
II – Grambling University Band (1968)
III – Anita Bryant (1969)
IV – Al Hirt (1970)
V – Tommy Loy (trumpeter) (1971)
VI – U.S. Air Force Academey Chorale (1972)
VII – Little Angels of Holy Angels Church (Chicago) (1973)
VIII – Charlie Pride (1974)
IX – Grambling University Band (1975)
X – Tom Sullivan (1976)
XI – Vicki Carr (America the Beautiful) (1977)
XII – Phyllis Kelly of NE Louisiana State University (1978)
XIII – The Colgate Thirteen (1979)
XIV – Cheryl Ladd (1980)
XV – Helen O’Connell (1981)
XVI – Diana Ross (1982)
XVII – Leslie Esterbrook (1983)
XVIII – Barry Manilow (1984)
XIX – Children’s Choir of San Francisco (1985)
XX – Wynton Marsalis (1986)
XXI – Neil Diamond (1987)
XXII – Herb Alpert (1988)
XXIII – Billy Joel (1989)
XXIV – Aaron Neville (1990)
XXV – Whitney Houston (1991)
XXVI – Harry Connick, Jr. (Signed by Lori Hilary) (1992)
XXVII – Garth Brooks (Signed by Marlee Matlin) (1993)
XXVIII – Natalie Cole (Signed by Courtney Keel Foley) (1994)
XXIX – Kathie Lee Gifford (Signed by Heather Whitestone) (1995)
XXX – Vanessa Williams (Signed by Mary Kim Titla) (1996)
XXXI – Luther Vandross (Signed by Erika Schwarz) (1997)
XXXII – Jewel (Signed by Phyllis Frelich) (1998)
XXXIII – Cher (Signed by Speaking Hands) (1999)
XXXIV – Faith Hill (Signed by Briarlake Elementary School Signing Choir) (2000)
XXXV – Backstreet Boys (Signed by Tom Cooney)
“America The Beautiful” performed by Ray Charles (2001)
XXXVI – Mariah Carey (Signed by Joe Narcisse) (2002)
XXXVII – Dixie Chicks (Signed by Janet Maxwell) (2003)
XXXVIII – Beyonce Knowles (Signed by Suzanna Christy) (2004)
XXXIX – Combined choirs of the U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Coast Guard Academy and U.S. Army Herald Trumpets
XL – Aaron Neville, Aretha Franklin and Dr. John
XLI – Billy Joel
XLII – Jordin Sparks
