Nate DavisUSA TODAY
Monday night's Major League Baseball Home Run Derby was the latest reminder of the fraught endeavor that is the performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" … and let's just say country music star Ingrid Andress' rendition had – and still has – people talking.
Belting out the national anthem in front of tens of thousands of folks live – and with untold millions more watching on television or the mobile device du jour – is no easy feat, and many have risen to the occasion while embracing the task.
After her performance went viral Monday, Andress addressed it Tuesday on her X account, saying, "I was drunk last night" while announcing plans to check herself into rehab and apologizing to fans and MLB.
As we wish the best of luck to multi-platinum country singer Cody Johnson, who will tackle the anthem at Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, here's a look back at some of the best versions of "The Star-Spangled Banner." And some of the worst.
Best national anthem performances at American sporting events
Whitney Houston: Arguably the most famous edition, the late pop star effectively rallied the country while singing it before Super Bowl 25 on Jan. 27, 1991 – just weeks before the first Gulf War ramped up into Operation Desert Storm, when American-led coalition forces liberated Kuwait following Iraq's 1990 invasion. Houston's stirring presentation occurred in Tampa Stadium, where airtight event security – hardly the norm it is nowadays – was in place as the NFL went ahead with what became a classic Super Sunday between the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills despite concerns about terrorism.
The Giants won thanks to Bills kicker Scott Norwood's missed field goal in the final seconds, no one was hurt, and Houston's version of "The Star Spangled Banner" hit the Billboard charts as a single. It went platinum after being re-released in 2001 following the Sept. 11 attacks.
José Feliciano: The Latin singer broke new ground at the 1968 World Series with his jazzy version, which was highly controversial at the time as it occurred at the apex of the Vietnam War. Feliciano also made the Billboard charts, the first time the national anthem appeared there. Despite the polarized reaction, this opened the floodgates for other artists to put their own spin on the song.
Marvin Gaye: Ironically, the late R&B star sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Game 4 of the 1968 World Series in Detroit – before Feliciano went viral (analog?) prior to Game 5. But Gaye is remembered for his soulful showing at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game at the Forum just outside Los Angeles. Many will champion Gaye's performance as the anthem's sports pinnacle.
Chris Stapleton: The country superstar's raspy voice translated into another epic anthem prior to Super Bowl 57 last year in Arizona. It left Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni in tears hours before his team lost a heartbreaker of a game to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Worst national anthem performances at American sporting events
Ingrid Andress: Given her multiple Grammy nominations, few were questioning her talent amid Monday night's reaction while still taken aback by the debacle. Andress' admission Tuesday shed needed light on the situation and hopefully scores her positive points for accountability as she shifts toward her recovery.
Fergie: Thirty-five years after Gaye's memorable anthem at the NBA All-Star Game, the former Black Eyed Peas singer went in the wrong direction at the same event. She later apologized while admitting, "I'm a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn't strike the intended tone." Unscientific surveillance of social media platforms Monday night revealed mass quantities of users letting Fergie off the hook for the worst version following Andress' regrettable one.
Roseanne Barr: The controversial comic laughed, screeched, spit and grabbed her crotch during the course of "singing" the anthem at a 1990 San Diego Padres game. A chorus of boos – in a military town – cascaded down on Barr for the duration, and President George H. W. Bush later deemed it "disgraceful."
Carl Lewis: Athletes can actually be up to the task – just reference former NFL star DeMarcus Ware prior to last year's Hall of Fame Game. Lewis? Nope. The anthem is understandably sacred to millions of Americans across the world. But if you allow your sense of humor to creep in a bit, Lewis' attempt at a 1993 New Jersey Nets game will invariably make you laugh … as it did former SportsCenter anchor Charlie Steiner and the famous "Francis Scott Off-Key" quip he directed at the nine-time gold medal-winning American track and field star while completely losing his composure on ESPN's air.
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Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.
