Page 2 - Renee Fleming Announced For Super Bowl 2014: A Look Back On Some Of The Great Anthem Singers Through The Years

In 2009, the heavy task was assigned to singing sensation du jour, Jennifer Hudson. Three years after she made a name as an actress in Dreamgirls and five years after she first rose to fame in American Idol, Hudson proved she still had it (“it” in this case being vocal chords of steel) with one of the most emotional renditions of the anthem to date.

Jennifer Hudson, still a new kid on the block at the time, gave a career defining performance of the anthem.

The reigning king of country, Garth Brooks, had the honor in 1993. He gave the Star-Spangled Banner an unmistakable country twist, which could have been grating coming from any other performer. Brooks, however, has both the talent and the charisma to pull it off and make his version memorable enough.

In 1993, Brooks gave the anthem a country kick.

In 2006, the Star-Spangled Banner was performed by Aretha Franklin, sharing verses with Neville Brothers vocalist Aaron Neville and New Orleans native, Dr. John. The performance was a tribute to New Orleans and its citizens, who were just recovering from Hurricane Katrina. The jazz-themed anthem was a perfect tribute to the city and went down as one of the best in Super Bowl history.

We really couldn’t talk about the Super Bowl without mentioning Beyonce. These days, Mrs Carter’s Super Bowl cred mostly revolves around her half time show last year. There were insanely choreographed routines, a massive fan tribute, a spectacular light show and, to top it all off – the Destiny’s Child reunion fans have been anticipating for years now. But Bey made her very first Super Bowl appearance back in the distant 2004, when she performed the anthem as a young’un. Beyonce’s rendition got the full symphonic treatment, with an ensemble of woodwinds and brass. Far from the diva we know and love today, back then she gave a respectful, evocative performance.

And who could forget about Beyonce?