Ten Years Later...
I thought long and hard before deciding to do this, but as the tenth anniversary occurs of the worst and most devastating attack on American soil, and television channels bombard us with stories, documentaries, dramas and programmes of all types remembering the 9/11 attacks, I felt I really needed to make some sort of contribution.
Anyone who knows me is aware of my views on American foreign policy, but I didn't want this feature to be coloured by my own political beliefs. In fact, in order to be totally true to the spirit of pure remembrance and tribute, I decided not to feature any political songs at all. I also stayed away from any puns --- intended or not --- or, as far as I could, empty cliches.
As the towers fell and the smoke blotted out the New York city skyline, and people panicked and news channels hosted “Breaking News” banners all day which told stories we found hard to comprehend, or believe were happening, events moved on very quickly. From the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions and then wars, the poltical jockeying and in-fighting, the terrorist rhetoric and the widening effect September 11 had on the world, both on the markets and on people's thinking, it soon became easy, in a way, to forget those horrible, heart-wrenching scenes of people desperately walking around near Ground Zero (as it came to be known), clutching faded photographs and plaintively asking if anyone had seen their loved ones. In the huge whirlwind of world events that took over, it became easy to forget the human face of this tragedy.
But as the world moved on, many people had not that luxury. On September 12, over three thousand families awoke to the awful, numbing realisation that they would never see their loved ones again. They had to live with that now, and there was nothing presidents, political commentators, newscasters or bloggers could do about their loss. They were, to a very great extent, on their own, and as time moved on, in many ways, they faded into the background, the forgotten and overlooked casualties of a war that was only just beginning, but may never end.
So in order to try to speak to those dispossessed I offer this tribute. More than likely, it will not be read by anyone who might benefit, even in a small way, from it, and even more likely it will be seen as an empty gesture, but I hope not. If only one person reads this who has been affected by the events of 9/11, and it helps them, even a little bit, then it will have been worth it. I don't expect that will happen, but it's worth trying for, and it's worth doing, just for the slim hope that it may ease someone's troubled heart.
In the end, I decided the best way to approach this was to divide it into two separate sections. The first deals with songs of loss, remembrance, sorrow. It's not meant to upset anyone (though of course it may), but to underline and perhaps tap in to the feelings that invariably accompany a loss of this magnitude. The second section presents songs of hope, joy, celebration, with more than a few songs about the city in which this attack took place. So the hope is that the reader might start off melancholy, remembering their lost loved one(s), but then be cheered by the happier, more positive songs.
I've gone to great lengths to keep any sort of politics out of this feature. There is nothing about Islam, nothing about GW Bush, nothing about Iraq or Afghanistan. Some of the lyrics in some of the songs may not exactly reflect the theme here (Gary Moore's “As the years go passing by” would be a good example), but taken on their own merits they can be shaped to fit the general mood, so if anyone is upset at the choice of a song or songs, please understand that it is more the title and spirit of the songs, in some cases, that I want to get across, rather than the actual lyrics.
With that in mind, here is the first section, the sad, reflective part, with songs I think, and hope, will fit the mood.
Part I: Reflection, Loss and Memories
Of all the songs on Bruce Springsteen's 9/11-inspired album “The Rising”, I believe this is the most appropriate for this section. Its lyric fits the theme, and I believe he has managed to capture the sense of shock, loss and disbelief that greeted too many people in the days after the attack. It's a sad, contemplative little ballad, simply called “Your're missing”.
Although written about the Indonesian Tsuanami of 2004, the mood and theme, and indeed the title seem to fit the sense of loss engendered by 9/11. It's a haunting, primarily piano-driven heartfetl ballad from prog rockers Mostly Autumn, from their “Storms over still water” album, and it's called “Carpe diem”.
It's a tiny little three-letter word, but Annie Lennox sings the question most people would have been asking on that fateful day.
And here she is again, this time with Dave Stewart in her band the Eurythmics, from the album “We too are one”, in itself a statement of hope and togetherness and support. Another ballad, with some very powerful lyrics, the closer from the album, it's called “When the day goes down”.
Sometimes the most effective lyric or theme is the simplest, and REM certainly make that point here, with the superlative “Everybody hurts”.
One of Chris Rea's most beautiful and yet angry ballads, from the album “The road to Hell”, and “Tell me there's a Heaven”.
Another simple idea that everyone can identify with, whether they lost someone or just sympathise with those who did. Asia, from the album “Aura”, and “I will remember you”.
One of the enduring traits of New Yorkers is their stoicism and their courage, this desire to go about their daily business, even after such a tragedy. The idea that no-one will stop us or scare us into hiding runs through this, one of the last Queen songs with the late Freddie Mercury, and though “The show must go on” was written in reference to his fatal illness, it could as easily be applied to the daily lives of those who must struggle on without wives, husbands, brothers or sisters at their side.
More simple sentiments from a simple man who always writes a great tune. Bob Seger, from the album “The fire inside”, this is a lovely little country-tinged ballad entitled “Always in my heart”.
You can't beat a classic. The perennial song of help and support from Simon and Garfunkel, over forty years old now, still has the power to move and soothe a troubled heart.
A song of reflection and struggle through the night, the Alan Parsons Project from the album “Vulture culture”, some very telling and poignant lyrics in “The same old sun”.
A blues song by a man who himself recently left us, the great Gary Moore and a great ballad, “As the years go passing by”, from his album “Still got the blues”.
A short but powerful little ballad from Prefab Sprout, from their hugely succesful “Jordan: the comeback” album, and a song with a sentiment we would perhaps all do well to heed.
Shadow Gallery do some really nice ballads, but for the purposes of this section I think this is the most appropriate. From the album “Room V”, this is “Comfort me”.
One of my favourite ballads ever, Sarah MacLachlan's beautiful, ethereal “Angel”.
The sentiments expressed by Linda Ronstadt in “Shattered” speak for themselves...
From Heart's “Brigade”, the title says it all: “Cruel nights”.
Another of my favourite ballads, and sung by a man who knows how to sing them.
Part II: Recovery, Hope, Determination and Survival
Bon Jovi, in addition to being New Jersey's favourite sons (sharing that distinction with Mrs. Springsteen's boy) always know how to write a song that lifts the heart and puts hope back where it may have been lost. “Bells of freedom”, from their album “Have a nice day”, is no exception.
And New Jersey's other most famous and proud musical export does the business here, throwing a fist of defiance into the ash-choked New York skyline and declaring that terrorism will never triumph. Title track from the album “The Rising”.
Dedicated (as far as I'm concerned, for the purposes of this feature) to the brave firefighters of the NYFD who risked --- and in some cases, sacrificed --- life and limb to try to rescue people on that fateful day.
Who isn't in a New York state of mind, from time to time?
Appropriately hopeful and triumphant song from Robbie Williams, from the album “I've been expecting you”, this is “Phoenix from the flames”.
And what sentiment could be more simple, or more welcome? The Eagles, from “One of these nights”, and “I wish you peace”.
U2's anthemic cry for unity, this is of course “One”.
A song of hope, tolerance and kindness, even in the midst of war and distrust.
More simple but very important sentiments, from Bill Withers, with a universal anthem, “Lean on me”.
A song that's been covered many times, but this is my favourite, Josh Groban with “You raise me up”.
With a World War I theme, Bryan Adams' “Remembrance Day” can still fit into our theme here, with its hope for universal peace. Maybe someday.
Possibly one of
the feelgood, never-say-die songs ever written. This is the original and best, from Journey.
May not be an obvious choice, but Chumbawumba's drinking anthem qualifies, I believe, for its repeated assertation “I get knocked down, but I get up again.” Plus it's good fun.
The Adventures, from the album “The Sea of love”, with a promise: you don't have to cry anymore.
One of several songs referencing New York, this is A-Ha, with “Manhattan skyline”.
Bon Jovi again, with the gloriously upbeat and fun song “I love this town”.
Truer words have never been uttered. Yes, from the album “Union”.
If we all took Diana Ross's advice once in a while, maybe the world would be a better place.
Something we all hope to see in our lifetime, or can at least dream about
: a time when horrific acts like 9/11 remain where they belong, in the dark annals of history.
Of course, we couldn't leave out THE New York song of songs! Here's the Chairman.
So that's my little contribution to the tenth anniversary of 9/11. In the grand scheme of things it will of course go completely unnoticed and unremarked upon, but I wanted to do something, even if it was small and insignificant, to mark the occasion and maybe, if it helps just one person for even a few minutes, in some very small way this could help make a difference.