10. Jim Cornelison - 2009 NHL Winter Classic

The Chicago Blackhawks have always been known for big anthems and big voices. Jim Cornelison did not disappoint at the 2009 Winter Classic. It was an amazing atmosphere inside Wrigley Field and the fandom produced the traditional roar, but Jim's voice was way too big to drown out. Fast forward to 2:17 in this YouTube video, unless you want to hear the Canadian anthem. That's what I thought.

9. The Dixie Chicks - Super Bowl XXXVII

Not the big, blasting ballad that so many Super Bowls are used to, this version by the Dixie Chicks bring perfect harmony and good ol' American country. Ironically they'd go from heroes to, well, something else a few months later. They dogged President Bush while in London and alienated a lot of patriotic American folk. Oh, well.

8. Faith Hill - Super Bowl XXXIV

I forget how good a singer Faith Hill is, and this clip is the perfect example. St. Louis versus Tennessee turned out to be one of the more exciting Super Bowls in history, with the Titans coming just 1 yard short of tying this one up and sending it into overtime.

7. Carrie Underwood - 2005 NFC Championship Game

This is a great performance from "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood before the Carolina Panthers took on the Seattle Seahawks in the 2005 NFC Championship Game. She sings with absolutely no backing music or instruments, but listen as the crowd picks up with her at the end. It's a magical moment...

6. 11 year-old Christina Aguilera - Game 2 1992 Stanley Cup Finals

Not only were my Chicago Blackhawks actually IN the Stanley Cup Finals, but they were all treated to a pre-teen Christina Aguilera wailing the Star Spangled Banner. Little did they know that years later, they'd have her Maxim covers taped onto their locker room walls. Weird.

5. Jennifer Hudson - Super Bowl XLIII

The most recent addition on the list, Jennifer Hudson took the field prior to the Steelers and Cardinals duking it out. It was also her first major public appearance since her close family members were murdered in Chicago. All of that, coupled with images of the flight crew that just landed an air passenger jet into the Hudson River, and you have another magical television moment. Try watching this without getting goose bumps.

4. Marvin Gaye - 1983 NBA All-Star Game

Marvin Gaye is the only man to make love to our National Anthem. As the introduction to this video says, when Marvin did something, he did it his own way. Over the years we've heard so many people try to put their own spin on the SSB and fall flat, but Marvin's take is nothing short of special.

3. Jimi Hendrix - Woodstock 1969

The best guitar player of all-time brings our National Anthem to life. The Vietnam War was raging on, so Hendrix used his guitar to create sounds of aircraft buzzing overhead and bombs exploding in the air. As the YouTube description says - Great Video, Great Man.

2. Whitney Houston - Super Bowl XXV

After this performance from Whitney Houston during the first Gulf War, every single diva who sings at the Super Bowl tries to live up to it. Unfortunately for them, it'll never happen. Whitney has such incredible range yet resists going off on too many crazy runs. This one will never get old.

1. Wayne Messmer - 1991 NHL All-Star Game

This is the best ever war-time performance of our National Anthem, and the defining moment for the Chicago Stadium. Near the end of this sound, it's hard to hear Chicago Blackhawks tenor Wayne Messmer as he belts out the Star Spangled Banner. America knows how to come together in times of crisis, and as this clip proves, in times of war.

I'll never forget going to so many Blackhawks games as a kid, pounding my little fists on those disgusting boards of the second balcony. Maybe that's why I value this performance so much. I'm obviously a little biased, but there will surely never be another one like it.