P!nk (b. 1979) didn't like her odds of pulling off a flawless national anthem at this year's Super Bowl considering she's sick as a dog with the flu, so she did some very smart expectations-managing pre-game, letting everyone know it was gonna be a slog.
And it was.
She actually sounded good (if a bit rushed) until the very end, when the big note completely alluded her. Still, a total pro, A for effort, A+ for heart.
Now, see who else has tried and succeeded (or failed):
1967: The Pride of Arizona; the Michigan Marching Band; and the UCLA choir
1968: The GSU Tiger Marching Band
1969: Lloyd Geisler (1913-2003) of the Washington National Symphony Orchestra — trumpet only
1970: Al Hirt (1922-1999) — trumpet only
1971: Tommy Loy (circa 1930-2002) — trumpet only
1972: The U.S. Air Force Academy Chorale
1973: The Little Angels children's choir of Holy Angels Church, Chicago
1974: Charley Pride (b. 1934) — First person of color to sing the anthem, first singer with pop (and country, of course) hits to sing it, oldest surviving solo performer or singer of the anthem at a Super Bowl
1975: The GSU Tiger Marching Band
1976: Tom Sullivan (b. 1947) & Up with People
1977: No national anthem! But Vikki Carr (b. 1940) sang “America the Beautiful.”
Can't find any recording of the former beauty queen singing so it must've been a winner ...
1978: Phyllis Kelly (b. circa late '50s)
1979: The Colgate Thirteen
1980; Cheryl Ladd (b. 1951)
1981: Helen O'Connell (1920-1994)
1982: Diana Ross (b. 1944) — First obvious pop icon to sing the anthem at the game
1983: Leslie Easterbrook (b. 1949)
1984: Barry Manilow (b. 1943) — Definitely appeared to be lipping to a previous recording, perhaps the first to do so?
1985: The San Francisco Boys Chorus; the San Francisco Girls Chorus; the Piedmont Children's Chorus; the San Francisco Children's Chorus
1986: Wynton Marsalis (b. 1961) — trumpet only
1987: Neil Diamond (b. 1941)
1988: Herb Alpert (b. 1935) — trumpet only
1989: Billy Joel (b. 1949)
1990: Aaron Neville (b. 1941)
1991: Whitney Houston with the Florida Orchestra — The iconic performance was (convincingly) lip-synched to a prior recording. The patriotism of the anthem was intensified because the U.S. was in the midst of the first Gulf War, an unfortunate association, if you ask moi.
1992: Harry Connick Jr. (b. 1967)
1993: Garth Brooks (b. 1962)
1994: Natalie Cole (1950-2015)
1995: Kathie Lee Gifford (b. 1953) — Booed when introduced, y'all
1996: Vanessa L. Williams (b. 1963)
1997: Luther Vandross (b. 1951-2005)
1998: Jewel (b. 1974)
1999: Cher (b. 1946)
2000: Faith Hill (b. 1967)
2001: The Backstreet Boys (Nick Carter, b. 1980; Howie Dorough (b. 1973); AJ McLean (b. 1978; Kevin Richardson, b. 1971; Brian Littrell, b. 1975) — Sound cut out, leading to a pretty dismal recovery
2002: Mariah Carey (b. 1970)
2003: The Dixie Chicks (Martie Maguire, b. 1969; Emily Robison, b. 1972; Natalie Maines, b. 1974)
2004: Beyoncé (b. 1981)
2005: Choirs of the U.S. Military Academy; the U.S. Naval Academy; the U.S. Air Force Academy (second time performing); the U.S. Coast Guard Academy; and the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets
2006: Aaron Neville (second time performing) — oldest singer ever at the event; Aretha Franklin (b. 1942); Dr. John (b. 1940) on piano
2007: Billy Joel (second time performing) — Pretty atrocious, and he has made fun of other singers' abilities
2008: Jordin Sparks (b. 1989)
2009: Jennifer Hudson (b.1981)
2010: Carrie Underwood (b. 1983)
2011: Christina Aguilera (b. 1980) — Legendarily messy version
2012: Kelly Clarkson (b. 1982)
2013: Alicia Keys (b. 1981)
2014: Renée Fleming (b. 1959)
2015: Idina Menzel (b. 1971)
2016: Lady Gaga (b. 1986)
2017: Luke Bryan (b. 1976)
2018: P!nk
