Jewel’s ‘Personal’ Tie To Emmys ‘In Memoriam’ Song

First Published: August 29, 2010 11:23 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images

Caption Jewel performs onstage at the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 29, 2010 in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- When Jewel took the stage for the Emmys’ annual “In Memoriam” piece on Sunday night, it wasn’t just another gig for the singer. In fact, she said it was a performance that hit very close to home.

“It’s a song I wrote for a friend of mine that passed away,” Jewel told Nate Berkus during NBC’s Red Carpet to the Primetime Emmys pre-show on Sunday afternoon. “It’s really a personal song.”

However, “Shape of You” – the song which she performed with nothing more than her guitar on-stage backing her up – doesn’t appear on any of the songstress’ albums.

“It’s not recorded and I was really amazed that the Emmys were willing to let me sing an unknown song,” she added.

Despite her own personal loss, Jewel said it was an honor to lend her voice to the tribute to some of Hollywood’s late stars, including Dennis Hopper, Gary Coleman and Rue McClanahan.

“I’m really happy to be able to sing it for people who have lost a loved one,” she continued. “It’s a hard song for me to sing [but] I’m glad I’m up there.”

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