Charlie Puth Reflects on the Technical Challenges of the National Anthem During ‘Hot Ones’ Gauntlet
Which is more daunting: delivering a flawless vocal performance before millions of spectators or surviving the legendary Scoville gauntlet of Hot Ones? For Charlie Puth, the answer remains a toss-up. During a recently released episode of the popular wing-eating series, the hitmaker struggled to maintain his composure while tackling some of the world’s spiciest sauces.
Between frantic bites, host Sean Evans revisited Puth’s previous assertion that “The Star-Spangled Banner” stands as the most difficult composition for any artist to perform. Puth stood by his assessment, breaking down the technical complexity of the piece.
“It’s a cycle of constant tension and release,” Puth explained, describing the architectural beauty of the anthem. He noted the intricate transition between major and minor chords and the soaring nature of Francis Scott Key’s melody. “When you arrange it in 4/4 time, it just works, but it demands everything from a performer.”
The singer-songwriter confessed that his nerves during the interview were comparable to his experience at the Super Bowl. That high-stakes appearance, which saw the Seattle Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots 29-13, featured Puth alongside other heavyweights like Brandi Carlile and Green Day. Following that performance, Puth took to social media to reveal that his specific arrangement was a heartfelt tribute to fellow New Jersey legend Whitney Houston.
As the wings grew hotter, the conversation shifted toward the current state of the recording industry. Puth, who recently stepped into the role of chief music officer for the AI firm Moises, shared an optimistic outlook on the democratization of music.
“I appreciate the logistical shift where gatekeepers no longer dictate what makes it to the airwaves or top playlists,” he told Evans. “In this environment, the best song actually wins, which is the meritocracy I’ve always hoped for.”
Puth also credited hip-hop as the primary engine driving pop music’s evolution. He pointed to the Memphis-inspired roots of Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” as evidence of how cross-genre collaboration defines the modern soundscape. Despite nearly succumbing to the heat—at one point mentioning a looming “anxiety attack”—Puth managed to finish the challenge while discussing everything from his SpongeBob SquarePants obsession to the future of vocal production.
