Jewel‘s acoustic rendition of the U.S. national anthem “The Star Spangled Banner” at this year’s Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday (May 28) has drawn a mixed reaction from fans.
Clad in an all-white outfit with a checkered flag tucked beneath her cowboy hat, Jewel performed a soulful rearranged version of the national anthem, strumming her guitar as she sang.
Jewel previously delivered a similar rendition of the classic tune prior to the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City in late February.
“Jewel butchered the national anthem at the Indy 500. People were trying to sing along but couldn’t because of the way she sang it. What a shame,” tweeted one person.
Another one wrote, “Jewel’s national anthem for indy 500 might be the worst anthem rendition to date.”
One Twitter user demanded Jewel “STOP CHANGING THE MELODY AND RHYTHM OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM,” and even put her rendition in her personal “top 3 least favorites.”
“For the love of god, just sing the national anthem as it’s meant to be sung. Don’t put your own spin on it. Sacrilegious. Ugh,” Twitter user Concerned Canadian Serena posted.
However, several fans praised her performance. “Jewel just did the best national anthem I’ve ever heard in my life I’m not exaggerating,” a viewer tweeted.
Some even admitted they “found nothing wrong” with Jewel’s rendition and argued there’s “no one right way or style to sing the National Anthem, as long it’s respectful.”
“Never felt patriotic in my whole life til sitting through jewel singing the national anthem at the indy 500,” wrote one user.
(Photo: Dana Trippe)
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