Canadian baseball fans expressed disappointment over the rendition of the national anthem at the World Series Game 3 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. The performance by singer JP Saxe, who sang a modified version of “O Canada,” drew criticism on social media for both his vocal quality and lyrical changes. Despite the backlash, some defended Saxe’s rendition, emphasizing his pride in singing the anthem.
This alteration of the anthem’s lyrics is not unprecedented, as R&B singer Jully Black made a similar change in 2023 to address issues of colonialism in Canada and Indigenous mistreatment. While Black received support for her performance, she also faced online criticism.
Saxe, who recently faced challenges selling tickets to his tour, had to cancel the event. However, he was later invited by the Jonas Brothers to perform his hit song at their tour stop in Toronto. In contrast, the Jonas Brothers’ performance of their song during Game 2 faced criticism for disrupting the game’s atmosphere.
Deborah Cox and Rufus Wainwright are set to perform the Canadian national anthem at Game 4 and Game 5 of the World Series, respectively, following the mixed reception of previous performances. Cox, known for hits like “Beautiful U R,” has received Grammy nominations and induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Wainwright, a Canadian-American artist, is a Juno winner and Grammy nominee.