Miles-tones

Beyonce vs. Whitney: Battle of the "Banner"

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WHITNEY

  • Age: 27
  • Accessory: Headband
  • Historical Context: Super Bowl XXV; first Gulf War
  • Arrangement: Symphonic
  • Accompaniment: Live orchestra
  • Lyrical Accuracy: 100 percent
  • Phrasing: More deliberate than anthem is usually sung
  • Dynamics: Less range than Beyoncé, but still pronounced
  • Percentage on Key: 100 percent
  • Mistakes: None
  • Controversy: Did she lip-sync?
  • Crescendo (glasses shattered out of possible five): Four
  • Aftermath: Houston's label, Arista Records, rushed the live recording of "Banner" into stores after the game as a single. Her rendition reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and today is widely considered the definitive version of the anthem.

Winner: Sorry, B. Whitney still owns the national anthem. In your heart, you know it's true.

Trivia Answer: The New York Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills, 20-19, in the closest game in Super Bowl history. Bills placekicker Scott Norwood missed a 47-yard field goal as time ran out.


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Chris Gray has been Music Editor for the Houston Press since 2008. He is the proud father of a Beatles-loving toddler named Oliver.
Contact: Chris Gray