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Broadcasts of the Super Bowl tend to rank among the most-watched programs of the year. That’s because the Super Bowl is more than just the biggest football game of the year – it’s an all-out spectacle that transcends sports. From elaborate, elegant and spectacular halftime shows to celebrated pre-game rituals, the National Anthem is one of the most anticipated moments of Super Bowl Sunday.
Over the years, The National Anthem has become an art form for performers, with each artist bringing their unique style to The Star-Spangled Banner. While the song has a set structure, its length at the Super Bowl has varied significantly depending on the artist, with some renditions clocking in at over two minutes. Here, we rank the five longest Super Bowl National Anthem performances in history.
Kicking off our list is Jennifer Hudson’s rendition at Super Bowl 43 in 2009. The Pittsburgh Steelers edged out the Arizona Cardinals in a 27-23 thriller, but Hudson’s anthem was the emotional tone-setter for the evening. Just months after the tragic loss of her family members, Hudson returned to the public stage with a heartfelt performance. Despite the tragic circumstances leading up to it, her rendition was just another milestone for the singer/actress who was a megastar in the 2000s. After placing seventh on American Idol in 2004, Hudson won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in Dreamgirls, in 2007
At Super Bowl 55 in 2021, Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church teamed up for the second-ever duet National Anthem. This performance was a true blend of genres, with Sullivan’s R&B vocals seamlessly complementing Church’s country twang. Their anthem added a fresh, collaborative energy to the event before Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9. The game may have been a one-sided affair, and one the Chiefs and their fans have quickly forgotten, winning in 2023 and 2024, but this unique pairing of artists made the pre-game ceremony stand out in Super Bowl history.
When Lady Gaga steps on stage, you know you’re in for something special. At Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium in 2016, she delivered one of the most theatrical anthem performances to date. Naturally, clad in a shimmering red pantsuit, she put her own bold, operatic twist on the anthem. Her performance matched the grandeur of the occasion before Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos went on to defeat the Carolina Panthers, 24-10. Gaga’s anthem set the perfect tone for the golden anniversary of the NFL’s biggest game.
Before long anthems became more routine, Natalie Cole delivered her rendition at Super Bowl 28 in 1994. Her performance came in an era before the NFL embraced the pageantry of modern anthems. The daughter of Nat King Cole brought warmth and elegance to the song, setting a standard for future performers. On the field, the Dallas Cowboys secured their second consecutive championship over the Buffalo Bills with a 30-13 victory. Cole’s anthem remains one of the best examples of a classic yet powerful interpretation of The Star-Spangled Banner.
Topping the list is Alicia Keys, whose 2013 anthem performance at Super Bowl 47 is the longest in Super Bowl history at 2 minutes and 36 seconds. Unlike most performers, Keys took to the piano, adding her signature soulful touch. Her deliberate pacing and emotive delivery stretched the song to its record-breaking length. The game itself, known as the “Harbaugh Bowl,” was an absolute classic between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, with the Ravens emerging victorious, 34-31, after a dramatic power outage delayed the action. Before one of the best Super Bowl’s of all time took center stage, Keys’ performance had viewers in awe – not just for its length but for its beauty.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.