Ingrid Andress’ national anthem at MLB Home Run Derby joins exclusively bad club
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 – the 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.
Others, like Andress … well, not so much.
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.
- Ingrid Andress’ rendition of the national anthem at the MLB Home Run Derby has sparked conversation, joining a list of memorable and not-so-memorable performances.
- Performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in front of a large audience is no easy task, with some artists like Whitney Houston delivering iconic renditions that resonate with the nation.
- Whitney Houston’s rendition before Super Bowl 25 in 1991 is considered one of the best national anthem performances, capturing the spirit of unity during a challenging time.
- José Feliciano’s jazzy version at the 1968 World Series was controversial but groundbreaking, paving the way for artists to interpret the national anthem in their unique styles.
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 between the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills despite concerns about terrorism.
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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, no one would suggest she’s not talented. But Monday night’s reaction – notably by Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm – left social media aghast by her … interpretation?
Fergie:Thirty-five years after Gaye’s epic 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’.
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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// Ingrid Andress joins ranks of worst national anthem performances at MLB Home Run Derby
In these times of political strife, country singer Ingrid Andress may have brought the nation into agreement one topic for at least one night.The Grammy-nominated singer’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Monday night at MLB’s Home Run Derby in Arlington, Texas, has been been universally roasted.With painful pauses, Andress’ a cappella version has been called “the Star-Strangled Banner” and worse on social media.By Monday afternoon, Andress released a statement that she had been drunk for the performance and was headed to a rehab facility.
//Who just sang the national anthem at the Home Run Derby? The anthem was sung by country artist Ingrid Andress, a four-time Grammy nominee, who most recently was nominated in 2023 for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. “My ears are bleeding. Who sang the HR Derby anthem? The singer: Four-time Grammy nominee and country singer Ingrid Andress.//; The Grammy-nominated singer’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Monday night at MLB’s Home Run Derby in Arlington, Texas, has been …; r/baseball in 20 min. Jbaquero. ADMIN MOD. Join. Ingrid Andress “sings” the National Anthem before the Homerun Derby … I read the massive thread about how bad this anthem …; Country music artist Ingrid Andress faced fierce criticism for her rendition of The Star Spangled Banner before Monday’s Home Run Derby, …; Ingrid Andress was tasked with singing the National Anthem at the 2024 Home Run Derby, and she butchered it. But is hers the worst version …; Ingrid Andress sang the national anthem at the MLB Home Run Derby and was quickly criticized for her performance.; Move over Fergie, we have a new contender for worst National Anthem performance of all time. The MLB Home Run Derby is tonight and I was …; What to know about the country singer after ‘disastrous’ MLB Home Run Derby national anthem performance.Ingrid Andress fans leap to her DEFENSE after disastrous national anthem performance at MLB Home Run DerbyREAD MORE: Ingrid Andress delivers ‘the worst national anthem EVER’READ MORE: Who is Ingrid Andress? After ‘disastrous’ Home Run Derby anthem
Country music artist Ingrid Andress faced fierce criticism for her rendition of The Star Spangled Banner before Monday’s Home Run Derby, however not all the responses were so scathing.The four-time Grammy-nominated singer delivered what has since been branded as ‘the worst national anthem ever,’ attempting to sing Francis Scott Key’s lyrics in a shrill and off-key rendition.
There are, generously, maybe 20 people who could do a great job singing the National Anthem. Then there are the lucky ones whose renditions aren’t outright offensive to the ear. Then there’s everyone else. Unfortunately, country singer Ingrid Andress found out last night she’s part of the third group. She was tasked with performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2024 Home Run Derby, and to say it went poorly is an understatement. Of course, she’s not the only one, because that song is impossible to sing. Where does Andress fall when it comes to the worst National Anthem performances of all time? Let’s find out.
