When Meat Loaf showed everyone how the National Anthem should be sung

No ego. No self-indulgent ornamentation. No nonsense.

Meat Loaf’s performance of the National Anthem at the 1994 All-Star Game is arguably the best rendition ever.

There are countless classic renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” For me, Chris Stapleton’s heartfelt performance at Super Bowl 2023 stands out among the best.

But I find it hard to argue against those who believe that the legendary Meat Loaf, with his iconic version of the national anthem at the 1994 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, is truly the best of all time.

Accompanied by the Penn State ROTC Color Guard, Meat Loaf’s performance in 1994 was no coincidence.

Dressed in a rainbow brocade vest
The rock ’n’ roll star, who had a major resurgence in the ’90s, was hotter than a microwave that year. Thanks to an album propelled by MTV, he was back in the spotlight, ready to show the world what he could do. Martin Lee Aday, as he was born, was in his mid-40s when he belted out the anthem, and it was clear he relished every moment on stage.

Reflecting on his emotions before singing the traditional anthem, Meat Loaf said, “It’s one of the warmup songs I do before I go on stage. Then I go out and sing stuff that doesn’t resemble it.” He added, “It’s a very dramatic song, and I’m going to sing it slow and dramatic.” Dressed in a rainbow brocade vest, a blinged-out shirt, and black pants, he mesmerized the audience with his powerful voice.

But his rendition lasted just 84 seconds — not even close to Marvin Gaye’s record of 2 minutes and 21 seconds at an NBA All-Star game.

”No falsetto screeching”
When he stepped onto the field, many likened him to John Kruk of the Philadelphia Phillies. However, Meat Loaf described himself as “an American League kind of guy,” adding that he was “more conservative than any individual you’ve ever met.”

There’s no doubt about it — baseball and rock ‘n’ roll fans were doubly blessed when Meat Loaf sang the anthem that day. “I believe in Santa Claus, Christmas, the Easter Bunny, and the designated hitter,” he humorously declared, reminding us all that joy and nostalgia often go hand in hand.

As we celebrate this unforgettable performance, it’s clear that Meat Loaf’s spirit and energy brought a unique charm to a timeless tradition, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of fans everywhere.

As one viewer commented on the performance clip, “I’ve been screaming for almost 30 years about how perfect this performance was… so nice that people are now finally giving it the recognition it always deserved.” Another chimed in: “No endless runs… no falsetto screeching… this is how it’s done.”

”I was there… I saw people in every section wiping tears from their eyes, and even children were moved! It was stunningly awesome!” another user wrote.