Faith Hill's Super Bowl Anthem Performance Resurfaces as Timeless Classic
As Super Bowl Sunday captures global attention, one unforgettable national anthem performance from NFL history is once again commanding the spotlight. A clip of country superstar Faith Hill delivering The Star-Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XXXIV has resurfaced online, sparking widespread acclaim from fans who consider it among the greatest anthem renditions ever heard at the championship event.
A Performance That Stands the Test of Time
Hill, now 58, took to the field in January 2000 ahead of the championship matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Tennessee Titans. More than two decades later, her powerful and emotionally resonant performance continues to earn renewed praise from viewers who argue it remains competitive with the most iconic Super Bowl anthem moments in history.
Fan reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with one enthusiast writing, 'Her vocals are incredible! Wow,' while another declared simply, 'Perfection!!!!!!' Others have drawn comparisons to anthem royalty, with one viewer commenting, 'To me she is the second best to all time greatest Whitney Houston,' referencing Houston's legendary 1991 Super Bowl performance.
Another fan noted, 'Oh wow! Phenomenal… I could hear a little Celine Dion in there,' while others lamented that 'nobody talks about this performance enough.' One detailed post read, 'Faith's rendition is one of the best ever. Her belts were well supported and resonant. The emotional quality of her voice is pretty remarkable!'
Historical Context and Critical Acclaim
Hill was the third country singer ever to perform the national anthem at the Super Bowl, following Charley Pride's groundbreaking appearance in 1974. Her selection was hardly unexpected, as she was riding the peak of her crossover success at the time, coming off massive hits like This Kiss and The Way You Love Me.
Beyond fan admiration, Hill's Super Bowl anthem has earned significant critical recognition over the years. Last year, Rolling Stone ranked Hill's rendition number 11 on its list of top national anthem performances ever, describing it as 'straightforward and traditional, yet moving and sophisticated.'
Her husband, fellow country star Tim McGraw, remains a vocal supporter of the moment. In 2021, he reposted a clip of the performance on Facebook with the caption, 'Never forget this Super Bowl moment with my girl Faith Hill.'
Hill's Lasting NFL Legacy
Super Bowl XXXIV marked just the beginning of Hill's extensive relationship with the NFL. From 2007 to 2012, she became the unmistakable voice of NBC's Sunday Night Football, performing Waiting All Day for Sunday Night each week before handing the role over to Carrie Underwood in 2013.
Hill also made history as the only country artist to perform both The Star-Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful at the Super Bowl, singing the latter at Super Bowl XLIII in 2009.
This Year's Super Bowl Musical Lineup
As for this year's Super Bowl, the musical tradition continues with Charlie Puth set to perform The Star-Spangled Banner, Brandi Carlile singing America the Beautiful, and Coco Jones taking on Lift Every Voice and Sing.
Fresh off a massive night at the Grammys, Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl halftime show, just one week after taking home three awards including Album of the Year for DeBí TiRaR Más FOToS. The Puerto Rican superstar is expected to deliver a high-energy set celebrating Latin culture and tradition, drawing from his six-album catalog.
Some fans speculate his performance may include surprise guests ranging from Cardi B to Jennifer Lopez. Bad Bunny will officially make history as the first Latin rapper to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, and the first performer to lead the show without singing a single song in English.
While the announcement sparked some backlash from conservative critics, the NFL has stood firmly behind its choice. League commissioner Roger Goodell defended the decision this week, calling Bad Bunny 'one of the great artists in the world' and praising his ability to use the global platform to unite audiences through creativity and talent.
