Aaron Lewis performs the national anthem prior to Game Five of the 2014 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals at AT&T Park on October 26, 2014 in San Francisco (Getty)
Staind’s Aaron Lewis has apologized for messing up the “Star-Spangled Banner,” ahead of Game 5 of the World Series.
“All I can say is I’m sorry and ask for the Nation’s forgiveness,” Lewis wrote on his web page. “My nerves got the best of me and I am completely torn up about what happened. America is the greatest country in the world. ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ means so much to so many, including myself. I hope everyone can understand the intensity of the situation and my true intent of this performance. I hope that the Nation, Major League Baseball and the many fans of our national pastime can forgive me.”
Lewis’ mistake happened early into the song.
“Oh, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light/What so proudly we hailed were so gallantly streaming,” he sang. The correct verse is: “What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming.”
This isn’t the first time a celeb has had landed themselves in controversy over a performance of the national anthem.
Christina Aguilera also had an issue with the lyrics, when she performed the song at a Super Bowl pre-show in 2011.
Roseanne Barr courted controversy – and was booed — when she sang shouted the “Star Spangled Banner” in 1990, and spit on the field at the end of the song.
Lewis previously criticized celebs for getting the “Star-Spangled Banner” wrong.
— Jolie Lash
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