The national anthem at a sporting event is a true American tradition. Yet, not every rendition hits the right note. Whether due to forgotten lyrics, unconventional styles, or just plain awkward performances, some attempts stand out for all the wrong reasons. But which are the most notorious?
Using data and expert analysis, the team at Action Network has ranked the "best of the worst" national anthem performances based on YouTube views, sentiment, and an expert's critique from Joel J. Smith of MusicCritic.com, who spoke to the team here at Action Network.
The Rankings
1. Fergie — NBA All-Star Game (2018)
- Total Views: 28,980,738
- % Negative Comments: 38%
- Expert Score: 1.5/5
- Final Score: 75/100
Fergie’s sultry, jazz-inspired take on the national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game became an immediate viral sensation for all the wrong reasons. The bold choice didn’t land, with viewers describing the performance as awkward and uncomfortable.
According to Smith, “It seemed like she was trying to make it sultry, which wasn’t the right time or place.” Despite the backlash, Fergie’s rendition will be remembered, albeit not fondly. Especially by Steph Curry, who famously snickered during the performance.
2. Roseanne Barr – San Diego Padres Game (1990)
- Total Views: 801,440
- % Negative Comments: 40%
- Expert Score: 0/5
- Final Score: 67/100
Roseanne Barr’s intentionally bad performance at an MLB game became one of the most infamous renditions of all time. Her off-key singing and disrespectful antics — ending with her spitting on the pitcher’s mound — earned her the top spot in terms of negative sentiment. “Roseanne Barr’s intentionally bad performance was disrespectful and cringeworthy,” said Smith, awarding it a perfect zero.
3. Caroline Marcil – NHL Game (2005)
- Total Views: 805,751
- % Negative Comments: 53%
- Expert Score: 0.5/5
- Final Score: 66/100
Caroline Marcil’s NHL anthem disaster began with her forgetting the lyrics, leaving the ice, and falling when she returned. This unfortunate series of events made for a performance that was hard to watch. Joel J. Smith generously rated it a 0.5/5, saying, “Caroline Marcil’s infamous performance is a hard watch. Forgetting the words, leaving, falling, then coming back. It’s a storm of anthem disasters.”
4. Victoria Zarlenga – USA vs Scotland Soccer Match (2012)
- Total Views: 151,065
- % Negative Comments: 52%
- Expert Score: 0.5/5
- Final Score: 66
Victoria Zarlenga’s anthem was marred by a lack of vocal control, alternating between flat notes and sharp squeaks. “The high parts were especially hard to hear,” noted Smith, giving it a 0.5/5.
5. Ingrid Andress – Home Run Derby (2024)
- Total Views: 1,622,160
- % Negative Comments: 54%
- Expert Score: 1/5
- Final Score: 62
Ingrid Andress struggled with pitch and high notes, making her performance a tough listen. Smith was particularly critical of her effort, commenting, “The anthem isn’t an easy song, but you’d expect more from a professional singer.”
6. Carl Lewis – NBA Game (1993)
- Total Views: 3,423,724
- % Negative Comments: 33%
- Expert Score: 1/5
- Final Score: 55
Carl Lewis’s performance is remembered for all the wrong reasons, with off-key singing and a noticeable realization of how bad things were going midway through. Lewis famously said, "Uh-oh, I’ll make up for it," but unfortunately, the recovery never came. According to Smith, “This one gets a 1/5 and the 1 is really just for his optimism and courage to keep going.”
7. Alexis Normand – Memorial Cup (2013)
- Total Views: 483,251
- % Negative Comments: 48%
- Expert Score: 1.5/5
- Final Score: 54
Alexis Normand’s performance was marred by her stumbling over the lyrics right from the start. However, she powered through to finish, earning her some respect. “Painful to watch, but I give her 1.5/5 for effort,” commented Smith.
8. Kat DeLuna – NFL Season Opener (2008)
- Total Views: 797,531
- % Negative Comments: 63%
- Expert Score: 2.5/5
- Final Score: 50
“Kat DeLuna’s attempt at the 2008 NFL opener wasn’t horrible. It did come off a bit pitchy and over-the-top though. This one is a 2.5/5. She gets points for courage," Smith commented.
9. Aaron Lewis – World Series (2014)
- Total Views: 442,054
- % Negative Comments: 49%
- Expert Score: 2/5
- Final Score: 50
Aaron Lewis delivered a vocally sound performance, but forgetting the lyrics in the middle of the song dealt a serious blow to his rendition. “The vocal performance was decent, but forgetting the lyrics earns a 2/5,” Smith remarked.
10. Chaka Khan – NBA All-Star Game (2020)
- Total Views: 1,084,056
- % Negative Comments: 46%
- Expert Score: 2.5/5
- Final Score: 45
Chaka Khan is an undisputed legend, but her over-stylized version of the anthem didn’t sit well with many viewers. Smith noted, “Her amazing vocal ability can’t be denied, but the arrangement took away from the essence of the anthem.”
11. Cuba Gooding Sr. (2008)
- Total Views: 690,995
- % Negative Comments: 31%
- Expert Score: 2/5
- Final Score: 43
“Cuba Gooding Sr. took some risks with the melody but they didn’t really work. It’s unique, but not in a good way. 2/5 for originality," Smith commented.
12. Dierks Bentley – Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final (2017)
- Total Views: 65,409
- % Negative Comments: 42%
- Expert Score: 2.5/5
- Final Score: 42
Dierks Bentley took a safe approach, offering a rendition that was fine but unremarkable. “It was more like speaking than singing. A solid, unremarkable 2.5/5,” said Smith.
13. Scott Stapp – NASCAR (2005)
- Total Views: 595,423
- % Negative Comments: 41%
- Expert Score: 2.5/5
- Final Score: 41
Scott Stapp’s rendition was overdramatic, according to Smith, who gave it a 2.5/5. “Not terrible, but not great either.”
14. Keri Hilson – Lakers Game (2010)
- Total Views: 57,446
- % Negative Comments: 48%
- Expert Score: 3/5
- Final Score: 39
“Keri Hilson’s rendition at the Lakers game was actually good in my opinion,” noted Smith. “But it was a bit overwrought. She definitely has a good voice, but sometimes less is more with the anthem. This one’s a 3/5.”
15. Christina Aguilera – Super Bowl XLV (2011)
- Total Views: 419,128
- % Negative Comments: 38%
- Expert Score: 4/5
- Final Score: 25
Christina Aguilera is known for her incredible voice, and her Super Bowl performance didn’t disappoint in terms of vocals. However, she made a critical error by flubbing the lyrics, which overshadowed an otherwise powerful rendition. “I’d rate it a 4/5,” said Smith. “Vocally impressive, but marred by the mistake.”
16. Maurice Cheeks & Natalie Gilbert – NBA Playoff Game (2003)
- Total Views: 195,030
- % Negative Comments: 11%
- Expert Score: 4/5
- Final Score: 14
“Maurice Cheeks stepping in to help the young singer is a heart-warming moment. You can hear she can sing well, but nerves got the better of her at first,” Smith commented.
While the performance started rocky due to nerves, Cheeks helped guide Gilbert back on track, leading to a strong finish. Smith remarked, “Once Maurice gave her the boost of confidence, she found her footing and really let the vocals shine. It’s the whole package of compassion and community coming together. This one is a 4/5 in my book."
These national anthem performances may not have hit all the right notes, but they certainly left a lasting impression. Whether due to missed lyrics, vocal mishaps, or unconventional interpretations, each rendition tells a story of its own. While some performances might be infamous, others stand out for their unique charm or memorable recovery. This list serves as a reminder that, even when things don’t go as planned, these moments remain a part of sports history.
| Singer | % Negative Sentiments | Views | Comments | Expert score (out of 5) | Final Score |
| Fergie | 38 | 28,980,738 | 85,587 | 1.5 | 75 |
| Roseanne Barr | 40 | 801,440 | 1860 | 0 | 67 |
| Caroline Marcil | 53 | 805,751 | 998 | 0.5 | 66 |
| Victoria Zarlenga | 52 | 151,065 | 239 | 0.5 | 66 |
| Ingrid Andress | 54 | 1,622,160 | 2470 | 1 | 62 |
| Carl Lewis | 33 | 3,423,724 | 3277 | 1 | 55 |
| Alexis Normand | 48 | 483,251 | 765 | 1.5 | 54 |
| Kat DeLuna | 63 | 797,531 | 581 | 2.5 | 50 |
| Aaron Lewis | 49 | 442,054 | 425 | 2 | 50 |
| Chaka Khan | 46 | 1,084,056 | 5182 | 2.5 | 45 |
| Cuba Gooding Sr. | 31 | 690,995 | 1138 | 2 | 43 |
| Dierks Bentyley | 42 | 65,409 | 104 | 2.5 | 42 |
| Scott Stapp | 41 | 595,423 | 417 | 2.5 | 41 |
| Keri Hilson | 48 | 57,446 | 54 | 3 | 39 |
| Christina Aguilera | 38 | 419,128 | 1126 | 4 | 25 |
| Maurice Cheeks & Natalie Gilbert | 11 | 195,030 | 190 | 4 | 14 |
Methodology
Our ranking is the result of a deep dive into public reactions, including YouTube views, comments, and sentiment analysis. We’ve paired this data with expert commentary from Joel J. Smith, a respected music critic from MusicCritic.com, to create a definitive list of national anthem performances that live on in infamy. Each performance was rated based on the following factors:
- Total Comments on YouTube: Gauging public engagement.
- Percentage of Negative Comments: Measuring backlash from the audience.
- Total Views on YouTube: Indicating the performance’s notoriety.
- Expert Opinion: Joel J. Smith’s ratings for each performance.
Each performance was scored on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores representing more infamously bad renditions.
The first three ranking factors (comments on YouTube, % of negative comments, total views on YouTube) have 50% weighting. The expert rating also had a 50% weighting.
This content is intended to entertain sports fans. If you are a sports fan interested in betting, check out our PrizePicks Promo Code or ESPN BET Promo Code pages.
