OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
Country singer Jewel is facing backlash after her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana.
Jewel was selected for the honor by Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles.
While the lyrics remained the same, Jewel made a stylistic decision to change the entire melody. This didn’t sit well with many Americans. You can watch here:
.@jeweljk sings the national anthem at the greatest spectacle in racing. 🇺🇸 #Indy500
📺: NBC and @peacock pic.twitter.com/rpjuG1o2dk
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 28, 2023
One person responded, “This is the perfect example of how not to do the national anthem. It was to the point of being disrespectful.”
“I’m sorry, but the National Anthem should NEVER, be changed up like this. Good artist, bad choice!” another person said.
I’m sorry, but the National Anthem should NEVER, be changed up like this. Good artist, bad choice!
— TG MOMMA LAURA (@gmommalaura) May 28, 2023
This is the perfect example of how not to do the national anthem. It was to the point of being disrespectful. https://t.co/LAVSt1YZ6x
— Jacob 🇺🇸🏁 (@JacobRE1996) May 28, 2023
“One of the worst National Anthem performances I’ve ever seen in my life. Not Roseanne bad, but up there,” another person said, in reference to comedian Roseanne Barr’s rendition in the 90s.
One of the worst National Anthem performances I've ever seen in my life. Not Roseanne bad, but up there.
— @ForeverCART (@ForeverCART) May 28, 2023
More on this story via Western Journal:
While Jewel’s version received its share of criticism, some had a different take on the artistic effort — ranging from it fitting her style to just sounding like a classic Jewel song.
The singer has performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at other sporting events on the national stage — including a traditional version before Super Bowl XXXII in 1998 that clocked in as the shortest in Super Bowl history, and at the NBA All-Star Game in February, where she delivered a version similar to the one she performed on Sunday.
Regardless of the mixed opinions of Jewel’s performance, Josef Newgarden ended up winning the 107th running of the Indy 500.