Beyonce's Inauguration Performance: Singer Belts National Anthem After Obama Takes Second Oath (VIDEO) | HuffPost

Beyonce's National Anthem Performance

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Senior Editor for Mobile and Innovations, The Huffington Post

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If there's a musical act "headlining" the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, it's Beyonce. The singer's performance of the National Anthem was a capstone to the official proceedings of the inauguration, and served as the marker between the events on the steps of the capitol and the inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Beyonce was hardly the only performer to make an impression over the weekend. Kelly Clarkson sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" immediately after Barack Obama delivered his inaugural address and James Taylor sang "America the Beautiful."

From our earlier reporting:

A host of other musicians and singers were spotted at events surrounding the actual inauguration. Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder and Usher were among those who scored inauguration weekend gigs.
One of the President's favorite genres was celebrated at the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball, where rappers 2 Chainz and MC Lyte and singer John Legend were honored at the Sunday night event.
Their speeches were far better received than an impromptu one by rapper Lupe Fiasco, who was reportedly pulled from the stage after an anti-Obama rant of sorts at the StartUp RockOn concert.
Four years ago, Aretha Franklin sang "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" and The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters" chorus performed "The Star-Spangled Banner." Barack and Michelle Obama famously danced to Beyonce's cover of Etta James' "At Last" at an inaugural ball.

Audio of Beyonce's National Anthem soundcheck was posted online Monday. Take a listen below.

Presidents On Inauguration Day

Barack Obama (2009) (01 of38)

Barack Obama delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as 44th U.S. president at the Capitol in Washington on January 20, 2009. (credit:(TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images))

George W. Bush (2005) (02 of38)

U.S. President George W. Bush delvers his inauguration speech on Jan. 20, 2005 in Washington. (credit:(TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images))

George W. Bush (2001) (03 of38)

President George W. Bush stands at the podium before giving his inaugural address on January, 20 2001 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (credit:(PAUL RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images))

Bill Clinton (1997) (04 of38)

President Bill Clinton calls for national unity during his Jan. 20, 1997 inaugural address on Capitol Hill in Washington. (credit:(TIM CLARY/AFP/Getty Images))

Bill Clinton (1993) (05 of38)

President Bill Clinton delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in on Jan. 20, 1993 in Washington. (credit:(POOL/AFP/Getty Images))

George H.W. Bush (1989)(06 of38)

U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush addresses the audience outside the Capitol on Jan. 20, 1989 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo/Bob Daugherty))

Ronald Reagan (1985) (07 of38)

Ronald Reagan delivers his inaugural address in the Rotunda of the Capitol on Monday, Jan. 21, 1985 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo/Bob Daugherty))

Ronald Reagan (1981) (08 of38)

President Ronald Reagan waves with his wife, Nancy, after being sworn in as 40th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 1981. (credit:(AP Photo))

Jimmy Carter (1977) (09 of38)

Jimmy Carter is shown in January 1977, speaking after taking the oath of office as President of the United States. (credit: (AP Photo/stf))

Richard Nixon (1973) (10 of38)

President Richard M. Nixon delivers his inaugural address on January 20, 1973 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo))

Richard Nixon (1969) (11 of38)

President Richard M. Nixon dedicates his new administration to the cause of "peace among nations" as former President Lyndon Johnson, right, listens to the inaugural speech Jan. 20, 1969 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo) )

Lyndon Johnson (1965)(12 of38)

President Lyndon B Johnson is shown as he waves goodbye to crowds from the presidential reviewing stand, after the long day of inaugural parades, on Jan. 20, 1965 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo/Charles Knoblock))

John F. Kennedy (1961)(13 of38)

This Jan. 20, 1961 black and white file photo shows U.S. President John F. Kennedy delivering his inaugural address after taking the oath of office at Capitol Hill in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo/File))

Dwight Eisenhower (1957) (14 of38)

President Dwight D. Eisenhower was all smiles at end of public oath-taking for second term of office at Capitol on Jan. 21, 1957 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo) )

Dwight Eisenhower (1953) (15 of38)

President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the country's new first lady, Mamie, wave to spectators from an open car as they leave the Capitol at the start of the inauguration parade, January 20, 1953. (credit:(AP Photo))

Harry Truman (1949) (16 of38)

President Harry S. Truman delivers inaugural address from Capitol portico, January 20, 1949, after taking oath of office for his first full term as chief executive. (credit:(AP Photo/Becker))

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1945) (17 of38)

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, speaking during his fourth inauguration ceremony. (credit:(Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images))

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1941) (18 of38)

President Franklin Roosevelt speaking from the inaugural stand on Jan. 20, 1941. (credit:(AP Photo) )

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1937) (19 of38)

President Franklin D. Roosevelt and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt are seen up Pennsylvania Avenue during the inaugural parade in Washington, Jan. 4, 1937. (credit:(AP Photo))

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933) (20 of38)

President Franklin D. Roosevelt speaks at the podium during his March 4, 1933 inaugural address in Washington. (credit:(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images))

Herbert Hoover (1929) (21 of38)

President Herbert Hoover delivers his inaugural speech on March 4, 1929 at the Capitol in Washington. (credit:(Photo by Keystone/Getty Images))

Calvin Coolidge (1925) (22 of38)

Calvin Coolidge at his inauguration on March 4, 1925 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo) )

Warren G. Harding (1921) (23 of38)

The 29th American President, Warren Gamaliel Harding (1865 - 1923), delivering his inaugural address from a stand at the East portico of the Capitol building on March 4, 1921 in Washington. (credit:(Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images))

Woodrow Wilson (1917) (24 of38)

This general view shows the second inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson on March 5, 1917 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo))

Woodrow Wilson (1913) (25 of38)

Former American President William Howard Taft (1857 - 1930), right, and Woodrow Wilson (1856 - 1924), at Wilson's inauguration as the 28th President of the United States of America. (credit:(Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images))

William Howard Taft (1909) (26 of38)

William Howard Taft at his inauguration on March 4, 1909 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo))

Theodore Roosevelt (1905) (27 of38)

The inauguration of President Theodore Roosevelt, 1905. (credit:(AP Photo) )

William McKinley (1901) (28 of38)

American President William McKinley (1843 - 1901) leaving for the Capitol for his inauguration for a second term. (credit: (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images))

William McKinley (1897)(29 of38)

In this image provided by the Library of Congress Major William McKinley takes his oath of office during the 1897 inauguration in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo/Library of Congress) )

Grover Cleveland (1893) (30 of38)

President Grover Cleveland reads his inaugural address from the steps of the Capitol building on March 4, 1893 in Washington. (credit: (AP Photo))

Benjamin Harrison (1889) (31 of38)

This drawing depicts the inauguration of Benjamin Harrison as he takes the oath of office on March 4, 1889 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo) )

James Garfield (1881)(32 of38)

This general view shows the inauguration of James A. Garfield, the nation's 20th president, on March 4, 1881 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo) )

Rutherford B. Hayes (1877) (33 of38)

The public inauguration of Rutherford B. Hayes takes place in front of the U.S. Capitol on March 5, 1877 in Washington, D.C. (credit:(AP Photo))

Ulysses S. Grant (1873)(34 of38)

This artist's rendition shows the second inauguration for Ulysses S. Grant as he takes the oath of office on March 4, 1873 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo))

Ulysses S. Grant (1869)(35 of38)

Photo shows Inauguration Day, March 4, 1869, when Ulysses S. Grant took the oath of office as the 18th President of the United States. (credit:(AP Photo))

Abraham Lincoln (1865)(36 of38)

A scene in front of the East front of the U.S. Capitol is seen during President Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration, 1865, just six weeks before his assassination. (credit:(AP Photo/File) )

Abraham Lincoln (1861)(37 of38)

Abraham Lincoln takes the oath of office as the 16th president of the United States on March 4, 1861 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo))

James Buchanan (1857) (38 of38)

President James Buchanan delivers his address after being sworn in as the 15th president of the United States on March 4, 1857 in Washington. (credit:(AP Photo))

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