Posted by Maura Johnston on 02/07/2011 at 12:16 AM Videos

The Popdust Files: christina aguilera

Christina Aguilera, coming off the lackluster performances of both her album Bionic and her inaugural leading-lady vehicle Burlesque, was tasked with paying tribute to her home-state Steelers and singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl XLV on Sunday. And while her delivery was absolutely spot-on—and emblematic of the throatier, less peaky singing that is apparently going to mark her performances in the post-Bionic era—she sort of muffed the lyrics, leaving her open to the criticisms of the easily offended masses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH4idhFIQeE

I thought she sounded pretty great—I’m very excited to hear her newly found scorched-earth delivery on her next full-length, which I’m guessing won’t be about robots—but I understand those patriotic types who might get a little upset about her forgetting the line re: watching ramparts.

UPDATE: Christina released a terse apology for the flub: “I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of its anthem still came through.” Hey, at least she hit the notes! It’s always something with that song.