Like Chaka Khan and Fergie before her, this week Jewel decided to take some artistic liberties while performing The Star-Spangled Banner at a nationally televised sporting event. And like Chaka Khan and Fergie before her, Jewel’s performance at the Indianapolis 500 this past Sunday caused a stir; with some people loathing her slow, acoustic countrified version, while others lauded her for putting her own spin on it.
Jewel took to the track after obviously raiding a closet filled with Talbot’s clearance denim sets, Ginger Spice’s old platforms, and Bret Michaels‘ hat rejects. Once she began singing, race spectators seemed to have mixed reactions as the camera panned the crowd. via Entertainment Weekly:
The Masked Singer winner opted to put a country spin on the patriotic song, setting her own tempo on the guitar. In a video of the performance posted to the NBC IndyCar Series Twitter account, some crowd members looked shocked and confused while others seemed to enjoy her rendition.
The online reaction has been similarly mixed. Some found Jewel’s version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to be disrespectful, while others praised the four-time Grammy nominee for trying something new.
Here’s her performance. I suggest squeezing your butt cheeks together to take some of the heat off of your ears for when she shrieks “ramparts” and “brave:”
.@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
: NBC and The internet was divided. Gross Glenn Beck’s flag (boner) was at full mast over it to the point where he couldn’t speak, which is great for humanity:
Some are saying @jeweljk’s rendition of the National Anthem at the Indy 500 was controversial but I heard it live in the stands and LOVED IT. I was so choked up it was hard for me to even speak.
Indiana, Jewel: THANK YOU.
— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) May 30, 2023
Others appreciated her slow and creative delivery:
I don't care what anyone says, This was a PERFECT way for Jewel to sing our National Anthem, With RESPECT! Not just blasting through it carelessly, but actually giving time for REAL REFLECTION on WHY WE HAVE THE FREEDOMS we do. THANK YOU to THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR ALL To their call https://t.co/4rRfOW9W9b
— SynergyBee (@SynergyBeeMe) May 28, 2023
While some weren’t into it, like country singer Neal McCoy who found it disrespectful and not the way “God” wrote it:
I like Jewel but when doing something as Traditional and Patriotic as our National Anthem, I just soon hear it the way God Wrote it,,,, Straight
So folks can sing along!!!
Amen!!!— Neal McCoy (@NealMcCoy) May 28, 2023
#Indy500 If you thought Jewel did a good job on the National Anthem then you have some serious mental illness issues. Absolutely Horrible.
— Flybynight (@jacksaint197) May 28, 2023
We should all just be impressed that she didn’t somehow work “Alaska” or “I used to live in my car” into the lyrics since it seems like she mentions one or both of those things every time she speaks. But whatever your stance on Jewel’s performance is; most can probably agree we’ll never have it as good as this nip-tinglingly lovely rendition again:
Pic: Twitter