Top 30 American National Anthem FAILS

#30: Dierks Bentley

Sometimes, a good show relies on more than just simply getting the notes correct. Dierks Bentleys rendition of the anthem in 2017 serves as the ultimate proof of that. Just before the fourth game of the Stanley Cup Finals, he took to the ice to perform an understated a capella cover of the iconic song. While he didnt mess up any notes and earned cheers from the attending crowd, it still wasnt enough to impress the online masses. Several people took to the web to critique his performance, going so far as to say his version lacked any conviction, and that it was on par to a cover youd hear at your local bar. It just goes to show that impressing everybody is often impossible.

#29: Jamie Foxx

Before the fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao commenced in 2015, Jamie Foxx first took to the ring to sing his gospel-inspired version of The Star Spangled Banner. From the beginning, it was clear something was wrong. Both Foxx and the organist accompanying him seemed to be struggling to find the correct tempo and pitch. The singer attempted to riff to cover up some of the inconsistencies, which only clashed with the organ even further. It was later revealed that Foxxs earpiece had fallen out moments beforehand, forcing him to rely on the speakers at the arena. Had he sung it a capella, it wouldve most likely gone off without a hitch proving how disastrous a seemingly simple technical difficulty can be.

#28: The Fray

While there have been several unique renditions of the national anthem, some are undoubtedly more successful than others. That could not be said for The Fray, who attempted an acoustic version, complete with a tambourine. While ambitious, it quickly proved to be a bad idea. The guitars didnt mesh well with Isaac Slades voice at all, resulting in an uncomfortable dissonance that was clear to the players and crowd alike. It was a rough way to start the 2012 NCAA Mens Division 1 Tournament, and immediately led to immense criticism online which the band ended up taking in stride. The unfortunate performance showed how straying from the original arrangement can result in pure cringe.

#27: Eli Young Band

If there are any lyrics you dont want to forget as a vocalist, its those set to your countrys national anthem. However, if you do forget, how its played off could be the defining factor in the crowds reaction. Mike Eli of the Eli Young Band learned this lesson the hard way in 2010. Just before the Kansas City Chiefs took on the Denver Broncos, he began an a capella version of the track, forgetting the words by the third line. The crowd immediately began to boo, causing him to start over and forget the line a second time. Even though he powered through to the end, the damage was already done, leading to him issuing an apology.

#26: Natalie Gilbert

Even the most unfortunate of situations can reveal the best in others. In 2003, thirteen-year old Natalie Gilbert won a contest and was subsequently tasked with performing the anthem before an NBA Playoff game. It was clear she was nervous, and those feelings quickly got the better of her when she forgot the words early on. Maurice Cheeks, the coach for the Portland Trail Blazers, quickly jumped in, singing with her in an attempt to help with the lyrics. Even with the added assistance, Gilberts nerves persisted, resulting in the piece becoming off-pitch and rushed in certain parts. Luckily, the crowd empathized with her, and gave both her and Cheeks a standing ovation for their efforts.

#25: Rachel Platten

This was definitely not her fight song. Forgetting the words has happened before, but many usually manage to make it past the first line. Before a soccer game in 2018, Rachel Platten attempted to open the match, only to immediately forget the words. She then restarted, only to flub them again, prompting the crowd to sing the correct lyrics to her. Though the rest of her performance sounded fine, it was clear she was still nervous, as she nearly forgot the words a third time. Afterwards, Platten went on to explain her mindset during the incident, saying that her mind had gone blank at the worst moment and expressing how embarrassed she had felt.

#24: Anita Baker

Even legends can have their off days, and not all voices are suited for the anthem. These were both the unfortunate case for Anita Baker, who was given the task of singing it just before the 2010 NBA Finals. Her vocals were just off-key enough to be noticed by both the crowd and those watching at home, leading to plenty of online backlash. The higher notes in particular proved to be a challenge for her, resulting in a rare miss for the seasoned artist. It being sung a cappella only highlighted each fumbled note. It goes to show that not even the most experienced of singers are immune to a rough night.

#23: Beyoncé

Its one thing to falter at a sporting event, but when it comes to the Inauguration of a United States President, you want to make sure youre on your A-game. While Beyoncé certainly has the pipes to sing the anthem, she still didnt feel too sure of herself. This resulted in her pre-recording the track ahead of time, and singing along with it during the momentous occasion. The news was first broken by a member of the Marine Corps band, and immediately led to controversy across the nation. Some felt that her approach was smart and prevented any mishaps during the event, whereas others were adamant she shouldve taken the chance regardless of how it went.

#22: R. Kelly

Trying to turn The Star-Spangled Banner into an R&B chart topper was certainly a choice but not a good one. R. Kellys over-embellished take fell flat, but things were only exacerbated by his attempts to get the crowd to clap along with him. He attempted to infuse several cultural markers into his rendition, including bringing step dancers into the ring with him, but it just didnt work, resulting in a mixed reaction across the country. It came across as him attempting to turn the moment into his own personal concert, rather than a commemoration of the occasion and country as a whole.

#21: Loomis

One of the most important things a performer can do when messing up is to just not acknowledge it. Loomis unfortunately forgot this cardinal rule during her take on the song just before the Third Party Presidential debate in 2024. After messing up a couple of the tracks higher notes, she immediately stopped singing and swore, before asking to start over. After being reminded she was performing live, she tried to soldier on, only to stop once more and tell the crowd that her nerves had gotten the better of her. Had she carried on without pointing it out, theres a chance the mistake couldve gone unnoticed but instead, it became one of the most defining moments of her career so far.

#20: Chaka Khan

What is it about the NBA All Star Game and ghastly anthem renditions? For 2020, Fergie passed the torch to Chaka Khan. The R&B singer is known for her powerful vocals, but no one was ready for this. Singing at a snail's pace, Chaka Khan launches into runs that would even make triathletes exhausted. Hitting notes that audiences previously did not know existed; her performance was swiftly dunked on, drawing comparisons to both Fergie and Uncle Bobby from Proud Family. Despite Magic Johnsons praise, the internet was quick to lump this performance in with the worst anthems in history.

#19: Josh Groban & Flea

Sometimes polar opposites come together to make something new and incredible. Other times, you get . . . whatever this was. For the 2010 BCS National Championship game, Josh Groban and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers got together to perform the national anthem. It was a strange pairing to say the least, with Josh staying committed to his operatic style of singing and Flea accompanying him on bass. Their version was slow and seemed stilted, despite a drummer kicking in to liven it up. And while it wasnt the worst rendition weve ever heard it definitely left us with more questions than answers, namely: why?

#18: Victoria Zarlenga

Technical difficulties can be an anthem singers worst nightmare. A 2012 soccer match between the USA and Scotland was the setting for this pitchy performance, which had fans gasping and athletes staring at each other in amazement. Although Victoria Zarlenga rocked the diva finger and looked like the belle of the ball, her voice strained just enough to resemble a dying animal. To her credit, the singer managed to keep the universe in order by nailing the lyrics and blamed the earplug-inspiring vocal on poor auditory perception

#17: Aaron Lewis

Your eyes and ears will be forever Staind by this rendition of Americas anthem. Aaron Lewis, the lead singer of the aforementioned alterna-metal band (and now a country music crooner), went lyrically rogue at Game 5 of the 2014 World Series. Youd think such a self-consciously uber-patriot would, like, have remembered the words to the most iconic song in the countrys repertoire. But no, he dun goofed, replacing "at the twilight's last gleaming with a wrongly-placed "were so gallantly streaming." Maybe he should have had the lyrics tattooed on his neck?

#16: Michael Bolton

The Boston Red Sox were a year away from World Series glory in 2003 and their intense rivalry with the New York Yankees caused fans to tremble with anticipation. One glorious American hero named Michael Bolton temporarily calmed the storm and brought the country together with this confused rendition of the National Anthem during the ALCS that same year. Like so many singers unable to remember Americas most famous song, Bolton took to the hand, closed his eyes and belted away in a Star Spangled slumber.

#15: Clent Bowers

There must be something truly intoxicating to a performer about just going for it when they sing The Star-Spangled Banner. Perhaps its some mixture of the crowd around them with the swell of patriotism that makes singers push their limits, to sometimes disastrous results. That has to explain actor Clent Bowers, who had one of the most cringe-inducing final notes in his performance of the anthem at an NBA game. Poor dude really thought he was going to hit the high note, but instead his voice cracked and warbled all over the place. But we guess, kudos to him for really committing?

#14: Christina Aguilera

The Super Bowl stage is the home to classic American suspense, but sometimes the Greek masks of comedy and drama make an appearance. In 2011, the illustrious Christina Aguilera began a heart-wrenching rendition of the National Anthem, only to remix the vocals by the fourth line. Like a true pro, the Grammy Award-winning singer moved on with bravery, but the audience experienced a collective déjà vu moment and wondered if it was all a dream directed by Christopher Nolan.

#13: Kat DeLuna

Performing the anthem at a major game can be a great way for an aspiring pop star to broaden their fanbase. At least, thats the best-case scenario if they kill it. Unfortunately for Kat DeLuna, she got her big chance to perform at a Monday Night Football game back in 2008, and most likely lost fans rather than gained new ones. She gave a very diva-fied performance of the song, complete with vocal runs and matching finger wagging. DeLuna had the confidence of Aretha Franklin but did not exactly have the vocals to back it up. The crowd wasnt kind, and ended up booing her by the songs end.

#12: Alexis Normand

At the 2013 Memorial Cup, a jazz singer from Saskatchewan, Canada scatted her way to National Anthem infamy. Despite a strong opening line, Alexis Normands vocal confidence quickly transformed to sheer confusion, as she attempted to collect herself and move forward with grace. What happened next was the creation of a new language consisting of part mumbling and part singing, only to be followed up with a powerful rendition of the National Anthems final lines.

#11: Steven Tyler

Steven Tyler may be a rock legend but even legends have their off days. Performing the national anthem at the Indy 500, Steven started off nicely by doing a little harmonica riff before he started singing. But as soon as he opened his mouth, it went downhill pretty quickly. It was a bit too rocknroll and he sounded more like he was screaming rather than singing for much of the performance. Towards the end he slid into a particularly egregious note that sounded like he was fighting off an assailant, not singing the nations most important song. We feel bad for all the ears in the stadium that day.

#10: Measha Brueggergosman

Sometimes you have to wonder whos booking the talent for these performances. Its not too often that we hear an operatic version of The Star-Spangled Banner or O Canada at a sporting event, and thats for good reason. At a 2012 Senators versus Penguins game, opera singer Measha Brueggergosman gave one of the most dramatic renditions of both songs when she belted them out in her full, over-the-top style. It was clear that she was a classically-trained singer but you have to know your audience. Overly drawn-out, she made it feel less like the start of a sporting event, and more like a brand of cruel and unusual punishment.

#9: Cuba Gooding, Sr.

Hes the lead singer of The Main Ingredient and the father of an Academy Award-winning actor, so what happened to this experienced performer in 2008? This awkward, theatrical production of How High Can You Go featured outstretched arms and squeaky pitching, along with a butchering of the lyrics. At one point, Cuba Gooding Sr. attempts to rally the audience with an innovative pacing technique, but unfortunately his dynamic pronunciation flipped the script on the thespian affair. Commenters were right to wonder if he had a bus to catch.

#8: Caroline Marcil

Whether its a lyrical mishap or a vocal disaster, performers understand that the show must always go on. Caroline Marcil forgot the lyrics not once, but twice, prior to a 2004 exhibition hockey game between the USA and Canada, and apologized before leaving the ice. However, just a few moments later, Marcil returned with written lyrics for a shot at redemption, only to suffer an embarrassing backwards tumble and literal fall from grace. As the audience pondered what else could possibly go wrong, Marcil swiftly made her exit and called it a night.

#7: Madison Rising

This band was doomed from the start. Before Madison Rising even began to play, the announcer at a 2014 NASCAR race introduced them as Americas most patriotic rock band, a big claim for anyone to make. What started off a slow but fairly run-of-the-mill rendition took on a new life when the bass kicked in and they attempted to turn the national anthem into a rollicking rocknroll song. Not that this hasnt been done successfully before (Jimi Hendrix anyone?) but this particular version was a resounding flop. Too aggressive and just tonally off, the performance was an example that sometimes its best to stay in your lane.

#6: Jesse McCartney

When youre a professional singer, one of the lowest bars to clear is knowing the words to the song youre performing; but time and time again, weve seen performers let that get the best of them. Thats exactly what happened with singer and actor, Jesse McCartney, who completely skipped a line while singing the national anthem at the 2009 NASCAR Pepsi 500. From the get-go, he seemed nervous and timid, unlike his usual stage presence. We dont know what was going on with him but it had to be bad to completely flub it like that.

#5: Ezra Harris

While some of Americas most prestigious singers prepare for the bright lights of television, others simply adhere to the call of duty. At a 2006 police memorial ceremony in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Ezra Harris was asked to perform and became a YouTube sensation with his unique rendition of the Star Spangled Banner. As the cameras rolled, the deputy seemed aware of his lyrical predicament, but continued on with a freestyle melody. For one shining moment, an amused colleague attempted to sing along, only to realize that Mr. Harris was playing by his own rules.

#4: Carl Lewis

Olympic athletes become national heroes through commitment and excellence, but their dedication to performance doesnt always translate to the mic. On one fateful day in 1993, Carl Lewis stunned NBA fans, along with Michael Jordan, by delivering a confused, spoken word rendition complete with crowd integration and a thorough restructuring of the Francis Scott Key classic. While the enthusiasm of Lewis was off the charts, his general understanding of the National Anthem earned him a collective boo.

#3: Ingrid Andress

Though its one of the most recent flubs, its already become one of the most infamous. At the MLB Home Run Derby in 2024, Ingrid Andress was given the honor of opening it with the anthem. It was a train wreck from the first note, and only got worse the longer it went on. Andress struggled to find several notes and slurred the lyrics, resulting in the crowd audibly groaning. It was later revealed that shed been blackout drunk, leading to her not hearing the correct tone in her earpiece. It ended up serving as a wake-up call for the country star, as she went to rehab soon after. Though shes doing better now, its clear that her performance wont be forgotten any time soon.

#2: Roseanne Barr

Truly one of Americas greatest mysteries, this comedienne was booked to perform the National Anthem at a 1990 Major League Baseball game and shocked the world with her brash intonations. Despite a lyrically sound interpretation, the rushed style and aggressive voice of Roseanne Barr became an early Internet sensation. With each increasingly exaggerated note, Jack Murphy stadium roared with boos and the performance became a perfect example of how not to perform the Star Spangled Banner. But, as a wise man once said, you get what you pay for.

#1: Fergie

Its not that Fergie is a bad singer or even that she didnt hit most of her notes. Its more like . . . what the heck was she thinking? At the 2018 NBA All Star Game, for whatever reason, she decided to perform the song with a jazzy arrangement, complete with scatting. Instead of mixing it up and creating a new classic, the result was a weird, sexual rendition of the song that had players and spectators straining to keep from laughing. Her version was breathy and seductive, the polar opposite feelings the national anthem should inspire. She got roasted on social media and apologized that her performance didnt strike the intended tone.

Which performance of the National Anthem made you cringe the most? Let us know in the comments below.