By Mirembe Martina

Super Bowl XLVII saw performers bring out their best and Alicia Keys did not fail to please.

After Jennifer Hudson’s performance of “America The Beautiful” with students from Sandy Hook Elementary School, Keys offered her own rendition of the National Anthem in New Orleans. Playing a white piano, Keys who was dressed in an elegant, crimson sleeveless gown extended the anthem to 156 seconds exceeding Natalie Cole’s Super Bowl record of 152 seconds.

In addition to breaking the record in the length of the anthem, she played the piano after five years since any performer played a piano while doing the anthem. It was last used b Billy Joel in 2007. In a subdued tone, Keys took away any doubts of singing along like Beyonce during the Obama inauguration last month.

Talking about her performance before it came to, Keys revealed that she was going to change the whole arrangement of the National Anthem last month. “I have to rehearse it totally, as if it’s a brand-new song because it is actually a brand new song in the style that I’ll deliver it,” Keys said at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

Here excitement seems to have paid off. On Saturday via Twitter, she conveyed her anticipation writing, “2morrow’s the big day! The energy is so amazing! u can feel it all over! I feel excited in a way I’m not sure I ever have! can’t wait!!”

Early Sunday, she wrote, “Woke up dreaming about how this place will b filled later!” she said in a post on her Twitter page. “I’m so excited! Better go back 2 sleep 4 a little bit!”

Last year, Kelly Clarkson performed the National Anthem at the Super Bowl.