Whitney Houston – Super Bowl XXV (1991)

One of the greatest, if not the greatest, national Anthems ever performed. And, in the moment, perhaps one of the greatest peformances of all time (even though some of the vocals had been recorded earlier). Ten days after the start of the Persian Gulf War, Whitney Houston performed this rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. “I think it was a time when Americans needed to believe in our country.” Houston said later that year. “I remember standing there and looking at all those people, and it was like I could see in their faces the hopes and prayers and fears of the entire country.” Whitney Houston died Saturday at a Beverly Hills hotel. She was 48.