NFL Said "Too Slow"—Whitney's Super Bowl Anthem Became #1 Hit In January 1991, Whitney Houston walked into a Los Angeles studio to record the national anthem for Super Bowl XXV. According to ESPN's Jim Steeg, she nailed it in one take. But when NFL executives heard the recording, they demanded a redo—calling it "too slow." Whitney's father and manager said no. Ten days into the Gulf War, on January 27, 1991, Whitney stood before 73,000 people at Tampa Stadium with 750 million watching worldwide.

Whitney's 1991 Super Bowl XXV performance of The Star Spangled Banner is widely regarded as the greatest, most powerful rendition in NFL history, setting a gold standard! Her version, backed by The Florida Orchestra, combined soul and gospel with a slow-burn 4/4 tempo, changed from the traditional 3/4 waltz time tempo. Share if you agree!! #blackhistorymonth | Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston National Anthem Super Bowl Performance Video 1991