• Pop maestro Charlie Puth, 34, took the world’s biggest stage at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, delivering a ‘breathtaking’ and emotional rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.
• The ‘Attention’ singer intentionally mirrored Whitney Houston’s legendary 1991 tempo, ditching the traditional 3/4 waltz for a ‘monumental’ 4/4 gospel-infused arrangement.
• Backed by the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and the Color of Noize Orchestra, Puth performed from behind a Rhodes keyboard before hitting a ‘shattering’ final high note as fighter jets roared overhead.
• Fans have branded the performance a ‘masterclass in reverence,’ with social media erupting in praise for Puth’s ‘crystal-clear’ vocals and his ‘lavish’ respect for the gold standard set 35 years ago.

They say you should never try to top a legend, but Charlie Puth just proved that you can certainly honor one.

Under the bright lights of Santa Clara, the 34-year-old hitmaker stepped onto the turf at Super Bowl LX with a mission far greater than just singing a song. In a move that has been hailed as ‘breathtakingly respectful,’ Puth leaned into the harrowing pressure of the world’s most difficult anthem by looking back to the greatest to ever do it: Whitney Houston.

Dressed in a ‘glamorous’ yet understated ensemble, Puth sat behind a vintage Rhodes keyboard, immediately signalling that this wouldn’t be a ‘gimmicky’ or ‘over-the-top’ vocal display. Instead, he delivered a soul-searing tribute that felt like a ‘love letter’ to Whitney’s 1991 masterpiece.

THE ‘WHITNEY’ BLUEPRINT

• THE ARRANGEMENT: Puth opted for a slow-burn 4/4 tempo, a direct homage to the ‘radical’ change Whitney made 35 years ago in Tampa.

• THE CHOIR: The singer was joined by a ‘heavenly’ wall of sound from the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and the Sainted Choir, providing a ‘lite gospel’ feel that left the audience trembling.

• THE CLIMAX: As the Color of Noize Orchestra swelled, Puth abandoned the keys to deliver a ‘monumental’ final high note that perfectly timed with the military flyover.

“An honor to sing the National Anthem,” a visibly moved Puth shared following the performance. He was quick to thank his collaborators, including music director Rickey Minor—the same man who helped craft Whitney’s ‘gold standard’ version—for helping him bring the ‘mysterious’ and ‘timeless’ arrangement to life.

The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric. While past years have seen singers ‘scandalously’ fumble the lyrics or resort to ‘ear-splitting’ yodels, Puth’s take was ‘crystal-clear’ and ‘emotionally raw.’

On social media, the reaction was instantaneous and overwhelmingly positive. One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Charlie Puth didn’t try to be better than Whitney; he tried to show us why she was the best. Breathtaking.” Another added: “The goosebumps are real. That was a masterclass in how to handle the anthem.”

As the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots prepared for battle, the ‘Voice of the Game’ had already been decided. In a world of ‘diva’ theatrics, Charlie Puth reminded us all that sometimes the most powerful way to move forward is to look back at the giants who came before us.

What do you think? Did Charlie Puth’s tribute to Whitney live up to the hype? Or should the NFL stop trying to recreate the 1991 magic? Let us know in the comments below!