Best of Cover Wars: Star Spangled Banner
[Originally Published: 7/1/08] In celebration of our Independence Day I have selected the Star Spangled Banner as our cover of choice this week. Those not familiar with the history of our nation’s National Anthem should click the link above and learn how a poem from 1814 was set to the tune of a popular drinking song and became our Nation’s #1 theme song.
I’m not going to have a vote this week (wouldn’t everyone vote for Hendrix?), so I guess this is more of a B List than a Cover Wars. There have been a lot of amazing performances of the Star Spangled Banner and I have compiled a variety of videos selecting some of my favorites (while giving preferential treatment to the artists most frequently covered here on Hidden Track) but also including a few mainstream artists as well.
Marvin Gaye (1983 NBA All Star Game):
READ ON after the jump for many more performances of the Anthem….
Phish (New Jersey Nets game 6/12/2003):
Umphrey’s McGee (U.S. Cellular Field – Chicago, IL):
Members of the Grateful Dead:
Eddie Vedder (NBA Finals 1998):
Jimi Hendrix (Woodstock 1969):
John Bell of Widespread Panic (Detroit Tigers 4/12/2008)
Smokey Robinson (The 1986 World Series, Fenway Park):
Surfjan Stevens has his own rendition, with added verses:
Whitney Houston (Superbowl XXVl):
Beyoncé (Superbowl XXXVIII):
Hayden Panettiere (Washington DC July 4th, 2007):
The Bellagio in Las Vegas:
Have I missed your favorite version? It’s quite possible. Leave a comment with a link to any rendition I may have overlooked.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
my favorite all time was Tom Sullivan super bowl X but have not been able to find it. help!
July 7th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I once saw Chad Smith perform the National Anthem before a Detroit Pistons game back in the early 90’s. Pretty interesting to say the least.
July 7th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
ROSEANNE! That was pure comedy.
But if I have to go for a real choice, The Phish.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
no love for Roseanne?
July 1st, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Borat
July 1st, 2008 at 1:16 pm
You started with the best: Marvin Gaye.
He KILLS it, and people go nuts. When have you heard people screaming, and clapping and dancing along to this song?
I have to agree with siwook, Wayne Messmer deserves some love. Dude was shot in the THROAT and still brings it every time.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I wuz rob’d!
July 1st, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Whitney – yeah, I said it.
personal favorite: Wayne Messmer (from various Chicago sporting events)