Who Sang The National Anthem at The Indy 500 Today?
by Ushapriyanga | Updated May 29, 2023
Who Sang The National Anthem At The Indy 500 Today?
Multiplatinum singer Jewel sang the national anthem at the 2023 Indianapolis 500, and the response from fans varied. Some Indy 500 fans praised the performance as the best they had ever seen, while others criticized it as being poorly executed. The opening ceremonies also included the participation of Holloman Air Force Base from New Mexico, which contributed four F-16 Vipers to this year's Indy 500.
Jewel gave a unique rendition of the national anthem by strumming the guitar and completely rearranging the song. Her version had a slower, soulful approach with hints of country twang.
It was a departure from the traditional rendition, much like Fergie's performance, but could also be compared to Marvin Gaye's interpretation. The reactions to Jewel's rendition were polarized, with some people loving it and others hating it. How one interprets the performance will likely determine which camp they belong to.
One wrote, "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." Another shared a similar sentiment ... "jewel’s national anthem for indy 500 might be the worst anthem rendition to date." There are tons of other responses like this ... likening it to Roseanne.
Of course, there were just as many who liked it ... with one person praising it mightily, writing ... "Jewel just did the best national anthem I’ve ever heard in my life I’m not exaggerating."
The National Anthem at The Indy 500 Today
IndyCar enthusiasts eagerly tuned in to witness the Indianapolis 500 at the renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race featured Alex Palou on the pole position, with notable drivers such as Pato O'Ward and Felix Rosenqvist vying for victory. However, prior to the start of the race, fans were left somewhat perplexed by the pre-race ceremonies.
Jewel, a popular artist in both pop and country music, took the stage to perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" in front of a packed crowd at the legendary racetrack. Nevertheless, her unique interpretation of the national anthem left many fans puzzled.
The announcement of Jewel as the anthem singer was made earlier in the month, with Indianapolis Motor Speedway president J. Douglas Boles expressing excitement about the performance.
In a news release on May 19, he emphasized the significance of the national anthem as a cherished tradition that honors the sacrifice and bravery of our military heroes. Boles anticipated Jewel's rendition to create a memorable and poignant experience for both attendees at the track and those watching from home on NBC
Who is Multiplatinum Singer Jewel?
Jewel, an American singer-songwriter, has an extensive discography that includes 13 studio albums, four live albums, five compilation albums, 38 singles, 35 music videos, five video albums, and five spoken-word albums. She made her debut in 1995 after signing with Atlantic Records.
Her debut album, "Pieces of You," was released in February 1995. Although it initially received limited success, the lead single, "Who Will Save Your Soul," eventually climbed to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, propelling the album to sell over twelve million copies. Additionally, "You Were Meant for Me" and "Foolish Games" both became Top 10 hits on the same Billboard chart.
Her second album, "Spirit," was released in November 1998 and achieved 4× Multi-Platinum certification in the United States. The album's first single, "Hands," reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year. Her 2001 release, "This Way," followed a similar path, earning Platinum certification in the United States and producing the Top 30 hit, "Standing Still."
In June 2003, Jewel released her fourth album, "0304," which aimed for a more pop-oriented sound. The album reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and received Gold certification in the United States.
However, it didn't achieve the same level of success as her previous releases, with only its first single becoming a major hit. In May 2006, her sixth album, "Goodbye Alice in Wonderland," was released, reaching No. 8 in the United States. The sound of the album marked a departure from "0304," incorporating more elements reminiscent of her debut album.
Collaborating with the country band Big and Rich, Jewel released her first country album, titled "Perfectly Clear," in June 2008. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and produced the successful country hit, "Stronger Woman." According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Jewel has sold over 18.5 million records in the United States
Who Sang The National Anthem At The Indy 500 Today-FAQs
Jewel has released 13 studio albums, four live albums, and five compilation albums, totaling 22 albums in her discography.
Jewel's breakthrough album was "Pieces of You," released in February 1995. It became a huge success after the lead single, "Who Will Save Your Soul," reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Pieces of You" sold over twelve million copies, propelled by the success of singles like "Who Will Save Your Soul," "You Were Meant for Me," and "Foolish Games."
Jewel's second album, "Spirit," released in November 1998, achieved 4× Multi-Platinum certification in the United States.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Jewel has sold over 18.5 million records in the United States.