Chris Stapleton Sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVII 

Whitney delivered a sensational aspirational version. Chris gave us the full emotion of a country that's been through everything, is tattered and torn, weary as hell, but still worth fighting for.

The "Whitney vs. Chris Stapleton" thing really doesn't have to happen. They each stand on their own, massive appreciation for both. Whitney's was joyous while Stapleton's was gritty and heartfelt. The two best I've ever seen. The most common thread at the end of each rendition might be that 90% of America just said "Wow!"

It hits you in your heart and to your bones. It was perfect for our times.

Best male rendition of the American national anthem I’ve ever heard. No surprises but it’s the one and only Chris Stapleton

It's felt like Chris was telling us a story with the American anthem. Love it!

The man made it his own, mind blowing.

Just a man and his guitar, yet so powerful!

I'm not even American and I want to stand up and remove my hat. ❤💟💙 🇺🇸

Whitney was fabulous and I absolutely love Chris's version as well. I now count both as my favorites. God Bless the USA!!

We all have our own opinions and here's mine...I was in Al-Kharj Saudi Arabia watching Whitney sing this live, in a tent with a couple hundred other troops. She brought us to tears with pride. From that day on I've said our Anthem could never be performed better. Watching Chris sing this gave me a new perspective. Whitney performed this at a time when our country was unified and patriotic a fter the 9-11 attack. Today our country is extremely devided and far from screaming about the greatness we have and will defend. Chris Stapleton completely erased all of the hate and decision for a few minutes here. 🙏👏🤙💯🔥🍻 Definitely ranks top tier along with Whitney...

Chris doesn't even try or open his mouth but belts out sounds bigger and better than anyone in history. He is the GOAT male voice of all time.

Agree, Whitney Houston's version was epic. I bought it to play on patriotic occasions. A shear joy to hear. Chris Stapelton's version lifted a nation from a thorny place and made us one for a moment. May it linger on in our hearts and heads going forward.

Whitney owned that spot for years but Chris killed this!!! 🎶🎼🎵💜💜💜🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Bro, im not even American, and that brought me to tears. Amazing

Much respect for the Eagles head coach he was feeling it

Very classy. Chris nailed the current national vibe. What a release for a weary country. I've never heard the national anthem as a lullaby. Simply beautiful

It was very moving. Left me feeling very proud of our country despite the issues going on all around us.

It was so pure and simple. Very emotional

It came from his heart ... very moving !

Whitney sang it magnificently. The difference is that Chris sat you in a front row seat and told it as a story. He PUT you right there as that stuff was going down.

I think it’s pointless to make comparisons between different versions of the anthem. Everyone wants their singer’s version to be considered the best. That’s human nature, and we all seek validation that our opinions are right. As long as a singer sings the song with the respect and dignity that it deserves, I’m good with that. Chris was great, Whitney was great, others too I’m sure. I like that he did not make the song about him, that he did not wear his hat, and that he made us all proud. That’s all that I ask for from anyone singing this song. ✌️

What makes Chris' version better in my mind is it was actually live.

When you said “With Ease” I knew you heard what I heard. But (IMO) what made it “new standard” were the visuals. When a man & his guitar bring grown ass men ( who plan on beating the hell out each other) to literal tears…he has moved souls. There are very few times that happens and we were privileged to witness this one

One of the best rendition I've ever heard. Had me in tears. BEAUTIFUL

One of the best versions of the National Anthem I have ever heard, it really pulled at my heartstrings.

The best LIVE rendition imo

I've heard it many times now and still get goose bumps every time. No ifs, ands or buts about it, Chris Stapleton has a gift!!

Whitney is my favorite for the traditional big note hitting anthem, made us proud and Chris made everyone silent, did you hear how quiet the stadium was, tuning in leaning forward and listening, emotional, crying. Both fantastic versions. Both elicited different emotions.

This is hands down the best version ever

I agree 100% brother, the SOUL Chris brought with this version is on another level!

I personally thought this was the best rendition ever of our National Anthem. So heartfelt and emotional and uniting! ❤

He put the heart and soul into the anthem

What a Soulful rendition of the Athem.

CS!! The greatest ever!! A fellow Kentuckian!! I am so proud of him!!

This absolutely brought me to tears! It was soulful, heartfelt, and absolutely amazing! Thank you Chris Stapleton!

chris stapleton's voice be smooth as a fine aged whiskey

It was flawless. You're so fortunate to have - and have had - these amazing artists in your nation. Both perfomances are absolute magic, in different ways. Be proud of them.

Most awesome voice . I feel no one can or will ever compare to Chris Stapleton .

Great Performance! If you can't take pride and love this country and take pride in this country for what it is and for what it has done for you then get the Hell out! No one is making you stay. If this performance didn't touch you down in your soul then you don't deserve to be called an American. And if you didn't like it you can personally KMA. There it is like it or not.

He just put so much heart and soul into that performance.

Oh you love Chris, I think Whitney holds the record Chris does what he does best he made it emotional. Loved it

I think the reason this rendition hit people so hard... First, the national anthem is very difficult to sing - the traditional melody requires a greater vocal range than most people have. I watched a documentary once about a vocal coach who specializes in teaching people who are already accomplished singers to sing the national anthem. Unsurprisingly, most people who are honored with the opportunity to sing the national anthem want to do it really well. Whitney Houston had the talent and the vocal range to *kill it*. The thing is, the melody wasn't written to fit the lyrics. In that time, when there were no sound recordings and few people could read music, new songs were often new lyrics sung to a well-known tune. That is why, sung traditionally, some of the phrases of the song seem disconnected. It doesn't help that the first sentence is an epically long run-on. It is easy to concentrate on getting the melody right and losing track of the story that is being told. While Chris Stapleton was fantastic musically, of course, what really elevated this rendition is that he put his whole heart and soul into communicating the *story* the song was telling. You are there, on that British ship, hanging over the rail, straining to see whether the flag over Fort McHenry is still flying whenever the sky is lit by an explosion of artillery. The song ends in a question: "does that star-spangled banner yet wave?" and it is a question for the ages - especially now.

For me, Chris Stapleton’s version felt like there was more to it than just a song. You felt the tough times our country has been going through over the last few years but came out of it proud to be an American.

Well said! Through his music he told an unforgettable story of the sacrifice so many men and women gave for our country and the pride and gratefulness of living in the USA🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

At that time on that day chris stapleton brought the country together. It's the best rendition that i've ever heard and i've heard a lot Over the years.

Such reverence and respect!

Every single thing about this melted me. I'm not crying, you're crying!

Chris nailed it. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful version of the anthem ! Chris did it wonderfully , this should unite all American people together one country one people forget all of the evil forces trying to rip all of us apart , cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

I was waiting for this reaction. Well done!

Couldn't agree with you more. Love my girl Whitney but that was the first time I've heard this anthem and actually liked it. Bloody AMAZING job. Just sublime.

Whitney, Meat Loaf and now Chris are my personal 3 favorites. All different but amazing IMHO.

This going in the top 5 national anthems. It was very different than usual but very good.

Chris sang with his soul,with only a solo guitar

Soooo many folks are comparing chris rendition and Whitney's rendition against each other. And not just musically. They are sadly making it a race thing. That just makes me so very sad. Those 2 individuals are beautiful folks who were given a gift from God and they have shared their gift with us. How lucky and blessed are we to receive their gift? I don't judge one artist against the other in ANY WAY. Their styles are so different and beautiful. I just enjoy both of their renditions of our anthem and their music in general. I'm white, but I don't choose chris over Whitney just because he's white. I don't care. I'm listening to their musical ability. Period. My best friend, since Jr high school, and I'm 60 now, is a black lady. We can obviously see that we are different colors from each other, but that's where it ends. We love each other for our hearts and souls. I just wish our world could view each other on that level. If we could, wouldn't that be such a wonderful way to live? Thank you sir for your reaction. Your one if my favorite reactors due to your honesty and your heart ♥. May God bless you always.

It would be unfair to compare Whitney's performance with Chris's. They are both epic in their own right, equally as amazing, and at the same time yet so different. Chris made this song his own as he always does with anything he covers. Just he and his distinctive voice and guitar sound. He makes simplicity sound so grand it's amazing! I agree with you. A new standard has been set!

I couldn't agree with you more. Chills man! Made me cry and I'm not even American. It was that great!

I've heard this (and played it) so many times that it's hard for me to get excited... And yet, Chris did it. A Blues version? Alright then, sign me up!

This was one of the best renditions in my opinion. I missed it initially too, but have seen it since and was blown away. I agree with you 100%!!!

Great analysis D. Stapleton is a beast.

I felt you Chris! I felt you to my Soul

Brilliant Chris Stapleton, the very very best.

Beautiful!❤

it was an absolute amazing performance....i was in aw.

When our national anthem is sung I always feel something, because the meaning of the song is powerful, it speaks to our hearts and transcends differences to make us one people. Some renditions are especially spectacular such as this one and Whitney’s which often are brought up. Both are amazing. Is one better than the other? Not in mind. They are different, but both speak to the spirit of America and that is what this anthem is about. We are a strong, resilient people who do not bow to tyranny but rather face it and stand strong in our convictions of protecting and promoting freedom.

Just WOW!! Chris amazing. Hits right to your Heart!!

One of the greatest renditions ever.

The voice. The heart. I didn't watch the superbowl; Your video is the first I saw his rendition of the song. It was beautiful. Thank you for what you do. God bless.

I absolutely love whitney's, it was amazing and so optimistic and happy, but this... This just feels like a real journey and you go through some deep emotions as the song goes on.

As usual you show your class !

This one hits different. Absolute perfection!

Heard it 20 times so far and choke up every time. Simply amazing, touching and heartfelt

Thank you for your reaction and not pausing during his performance. It was amazing

This is the kind of performance you get when you have a singer that truly loves and respects AMERICA 🇺🇸

Best argument reaction i've seen so far! Thanks.

You nailed it. Best reaction I've seen.

Only Stapleton and Whitney hold this spot. So much heart put into this.

Whitney's was strong, powerful, belting with full orchestration (and lip-synched). Chris' version was reflective, intimate done with a guitar and live. They're apples and oranges - in some ways not even the same song. But I'll be relistening to Chris' version before Whitney's.

Amen brother 👍🙏🙏

Best ever

When you can see raw emotions on people's faces~~ what else can you say? Total respect for you that you kept this as a reaction to the performance, but....I can't wait until you get that bag out and unpack it..💖🤣 I wish you did a live now and then! 💖

I loved Whitney's version and Chris's . They both hit it out of the park IMO

I put Whitney and Chris's performances at 1a & 1a. I didn't know that Whitney's performance was recorded previously. At least that's what I've heard. That being said, Chris' performance is the best LIVE performance I've ever heard.

I think the two of them are equally great, just different. Whitney was power and made you proud. Chris hits you heart and makes you proud.

The two renditions hold a place for me for different reasons but to me both as great!

Perfectly said man.🇺🇸🇺🇸

They are so different and yet both so wonderful. I’d say both artists are in amazing company, and both did Francis Scott Key, themselves, and the country proud!!! ❤️🤍💙🤍❤️

Brought tears 😢❤

For a few minutes, people felt pride.

Move over Whitney you gotta make room for chris🙏🙏👍👍whitney was the best of her time but this is chris Stapleton 's time and he NEVER disappoints

Whitney and Chris, 2 greatest of all time.

He Knocked that out the park

Shut yo mouth Chris you did the damn thang thank you for making America proud

I completely agree. Whitney rocked it and made it hers. Awe inspiring. But Chris brought it back home when we needed it the most. ❤

Amen, SIR!

Completely agree with you!

Just think back 300, 400 years. Our country is what changed the world.

We needed this

Amen to your comments at the end!!!

He gut punched your soul with this one!!!