Whitney Houston performed "The Star Spangled Banner" at Superbowl XXV in 1991. Her performance was released as a charity single that year, benefiting Gulf War veterans. The single was re-released following U.S. terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. On the Billboard Hot 100, Whitney's rendition peaked at #20 in 1991, and then surpassed that by reaching #6 in 2001. It is the most successful recording of the U.S. national anthem in music history.

Words by Francis Scott Key

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight
O're the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there

O say, does that star spangled banner yet wave
O're the land of the free and the home of the brave?