In Lana Del Rey we trust.
The crowd at Waipahu High School in Hawaii was left confused when instead of hearing “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of their football game, Lana Del Rey’s “National Anthem” was heard through the speakers.
In video shared on TikTok Aug. 7 by user akikokelsa, people in the stands are on their feet anticipating the national anthem. However, that is not what begins playing.
“What’s happening? This is Lana Del Rey,” the person recording the video says, laughing.
Whens someone nearby asks if this is the wrong song, they reply, “Yeah, the song is called ‘National Anthem.’”
After a few seconds, over the loudspeaker, someone is heard asking, “DJ, can we have the national anthem, please?”
The person recording the video continues laughing at the slight mishap, noting that technically the DJ is playing a song titled “National Anthem.”
The comments section was filled with Del Rey fans who praised the user for instantly recognizing the track. Others joked that the singer’s song was the only anthem they stood by.
“No the dj was right the first time,” one person commented, with another adding, “Genuinely the ONLY national anthem I’d proudly stand for.”
“i love how you immediately knew😭 a true fan,” someone wrote, with the user replying, “SINCE 2013 BABYYY.”
“That’s the NATIONAL ANTHEM, no mistakes,” another commented.
Waipahu High School principal Zachary Sheets shared in a statement with NBC News that the DJ “experienced technical difficulties playing the songs.”
“Thankfully, our stadium announcer improvised quickly and led our crowd with a cappella versions of the national anthem and Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī,” he said.
Aside from the unexpected beginning, it was an exciting night for the Waipahu Marauders, who had a 40–17 victory over the defending state champions Campbell Sabers to reclaim the Cane Knife after 22 years.