As the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles warmed up before kickoff, singer Lauren Daigle took to the field to perform “America the Beautiful.” Although many looked to the Super Bowl to watch the teams try and make history, the event has become a stage for rising stars, iconic singers, and bands that have stood the test of time. But before Kendrick Lamar grabbed the spotlight for his halftime performance, Daigle covered the patriotic classic alongside Trombone Shorty.
With the Super Bowl welcoming over 100 million viewers to watch the matchup, each performer stood in front of the largest crowd of their careers. There seemed to be no bigger stage than the Super Bowl. Although the venue can hold only so many people, the wide grasp that comes with the NFL includes millions and millions of fans. But even with the pressure at an all-time high, nothing could stop Daigle and Shorty from showcasing both talent and class.
Videos by American Songwriter
Online, fans loved watching Shorty command the song. Over the musician’s career, he collaborated with numerous stars like Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, Zac Brown, the Foo Fighters, and even Ringo Starr. And although loving the chance to perform at the Super Bowl, Shorty was born and grew up in New Orleans. Getting the chance to showcase his talents in front of his hometown was not lost on the famed musician.
[RELATED: 3 Quick Facts About Lauren Daigle, Performing “America the Beautiful” at the Super Bowl]
Not The Only Patriotic Song Performed At The Super Bowl
As for the song itself, “America the Beautiful”, first caught the eye of readers in 1895. Before becoming a song, it was a poem, written by Katharine Lee Bates. She published the poem on July 4th of that year in The Congregationalist. Eventually the poem was turned into the historic song known today thanks to Samuel A. Ward, who happened to be a choirmaster. Surprisingly, neither Bates nor Ward met.
Not the only national song performed at the Super Bowl, songwriter Jon Batiste also helped kick off the festivities when performing the national anthem. Speaking about his hometown of New Orleans, he admitted, “It’s always a good thing to represent the best of who we are, and it’s important to have songs and symbols that represent that but when you get to a point where there’s conflict in that regard, it’s an interesting place for an artist to stand.”
(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
Musician Bruce Springsteen performs during the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in the Jackson Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, US, on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Intended as a celebration of the progress embodied by the nation's first Black leader, its Juneteenth unveiling comes at a time when his agenda – and broader diversity initiatives – are wilting from a decade of concerted attack. Photographer: Talia Sprague/Bloomberg via Getty Images -
Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns -
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 11: Mike McCready of Pearl Jam performs onstage with Thunderpussy at The Showbox on December 11, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images) -
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 02: Luke Bryan answers holds a Super Bowl LI football during the Super Bowl LI Pregame press conference on February 02, 2017, at the George R Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) -
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 15: Abe Olman Publishing Award winner, Caroline Bienstock poses backstage at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame 48th Annual Induction and Awards at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 15, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame) -
Carrie Underwood at the "Alan Jackson: The Last Show" concert special red carpet held at Nissan Stadium on June 27, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jamie Schramm/Variety via Getty Images) -
INDIO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 25: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (NOT TO BE LICENSED FOR ANY STANDALONE OR SPECIAL INTEREST BOOK PUBLISHING USE CONCERNING THE COACHELLA MUSIC FESTIVAL AND/OR STAGECOACH MUSIC FESTIVAL) Singer Gavin Adcock performs on the Palomino Stage during day 2 of Stagecoach Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 25, 2026 in Indio, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for Stagecoach) -
Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images