One take. That’s all Whitney Houston needed to record one of the most memorable National Anthem performances in American history. January 27, 1991. The Gulf War was underway. Operation Desert Storm had started just ten days earlier, American troops were fighting overseas, and families back home were watching the news, hoping their loved ones would return safely. Patriotism was everywhere. American flags were flying, yellow ribbons were tied around trees, and Americans were united in their support for our troops. Then, before Super Bowl XXV, 27-year-old Whitney Houston stepped up to sing the National Anthem. Here’s something a lot of people don’t know. The vocals heard during the broadcast were prerecorded, and according to accounts of the session, Whitney nailed the recording in a single take. I remember that period well. You couldn’t turn on the television without hearing about the war, and everywhere you looked, people were showing their support for our military. When Whitney sang that anthem, it fit the mood of the country perfectly. I’ve heard plenty of great singers perform the National Anthem over the years, but Whitney Houston’s performance at that particular moment in American history is one I’ll never forget.