Alicia Keys gets Super Bowl off to a fiery start with "Star-Spangled Banner"

(CNN) -- Alicia Keys pulled no punches with a performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday.

Keys took her time belting out the lyrics to the national anthem as she played her own accompaniment, but her performance was nearly flawless and generally well-received. Many joked that the 33-year-old singer was a "Girl on Fire" seated at a piano in the middle of the field.

Viewers took to Twitter to point out that Keys has won 14 Grammys, putting her in league with musical greats. She joins a list of heralded prior performers like Whitney Houston, Kelly Clarkson, Faith Hill and Mariah Carey.

Prior to Keys' set, Jennifer Hudson sang along with students from Sandy Hook Elementary in a performance of "America, the Beautiful."

It should be noted that Hudson tackled singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. back in 2009.

Kate Upton was among those moved by the two singers' renditions, posting on Twitter:

"Sandy hook elementary chorus singing America the beautiful and Alicia keys national anthem makes me proud to be American."