People are still talking about Christina Aguilera’s butchering the national anthem prior to last Sunday’s Super Bowl. Which got me to thinking: the other day Rob mentioned that the Dixie Chicks did the best version of the national anthem he had ever heard at a sporting event, what was mine?

I loved the DC’s version, but for me, hands down it has to be Smokey Robinson at a 1986 World Series game at Fenway Park. It strikes the right sentiment, and very classy – a word that some how always seems to elude Ms. Aguilera and her so-called “talent”, at least in my mind.

Other renditions worthy of mention? Check out Marvin Gaye’s soul-drenched version at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game. Great, right? But let’s face it, Marvin could have sung the local phone directory and made it sound good. He was one of the greats.

And who can forget Whitney Houston at the Super Bowl? It’s so sad she met Bobby Brown and descended in a whole heap of trouble. I liked her stuff early on – that girl had pipes, no doubt about it.

And this version by Faith Hill. And not only does she it it great, she looks damned fine doing it. Yow!

Any other favorites, y’all?