September Blues

I’ve always said that music isn’t just a harmonic tune that you love listening to for your enjoyment. Music is the very soundtrack to life itself. Music speaks not only to every person, but to every major point in history. With the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks tomorrow, these are some of the best songs that captured the very meaning of that fateful September morning that changed the world.

Alan Jackson - Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning.

🎶Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
That September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or workin' on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry🎶

Released as the first single off his 2001 album Drive, “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning” chronicles the events of September 11th 2001 through the eyes of country music legend, Alan Jackson. Throughout the songs lyrics Jackson asks the listener were they taking part in the many responses to the attacks like spending time with family, praying with and comforting strangers, buying weapons for protection, grieving for the fallen lives of the day, or expressing their patriotic pride.

🎶I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you
The diff'rence in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love🎶

Petey Pablo - Raise Up (USA Remix)

🎶In the time of need

When the world has gone through so many changes

So many ups and downs, so many obstacles

So much confusion

I take it upon myself as one bein of the new leaders of hip-hop

To make a change, and bring it to the forefront🎶

As a big Hip Hop fan and a proud North Carolinian I was absolutely ecstatic in the summer of 2001 when the North Carolina newcomer rapper Petey Pablo released his debut hit song “Raise Up”, an ode and celebration of his North Carolina heritage. In the month following 9/11 Petey Pablo released a remix titled “Raise Up (USA Remix)” which is a patriotic battle cry calling for a strong front in light of the attacks, as well as being a tribute to everyone effected by the attacks.

🎶When the teacher told us
About World War I and World War II, now the time has come
For us to REP OUR COUNTRY!
Wave the flag strong
And could somebody tell Mr. bin Laden
He got a lot of people lookin for him🎶

Missy Elliott - 4 My People

🎶The party's jumpin', I see something fine
(Ooh)
Boy I wanna kiss you, but I'm just too shy
(Too shy)
Let me dance with you, let me wear you out
(Out)
Here's a glass of orange juice, let's go X it out🎶

If anyone was to ask me what album was the most defining music album of the year 2001 I would tell them Missy Elliott’s third album Miss…E So Addictive was the most defining without a second thought. While the album’s first 3 singles captured the fun good natured side of the first two thirds of the year. The album’s last two singles “Take Away” and “4 My People” captured the heartache, tragedy and resilience of the year’s end with “Takeaway” being a tribute to Missy’s friend, R&B princess Aaliyah, who died in a plane crash on August 25th 2001 and “4 My People” being a party themed tribute to the victims of 9/11. Featuring vocals from fellow female rapper Eve, “4 My People” is Missy’s way of lifting everyone’s spirits in light of the heartache caused by the attacks and Missy succeeds in that right.

🎶This is for my people, my party people
This is for my people, my motha f—ckin' people
C'mon, c'mon, get down, get, get on down
C'mon, c'mon, get down, get, get on down get on down🎶

Fleetwood Mac - Illume (9-11)

🎶I'm alone now
With my thoughts
Of how we could make it
Of how we could get out
What we've been through
All of the trauma
The smell of nag champa
Shadow of a stranger🎶

Featured on their 2003 comeback album Say You Will, “Illume (9-11)” is the legendary Fleetwood Mac’s heartfelt tribute to the soul of what post 9/11 meant from the point of view of someone who had to endure the loss of life in New York City as the 9/11 attacks unfolded before the eyes of the entire world. Originally written as a poem by Fleetwood vocalist Stevie Nicks, “Illume (9-11)” is in my opinion the most heartfelt song about 9/11 as it really gets to core and sets the tone of the heavy emotion felt from that fateful morning in history.

🎶What I saw on this journey
I saw history go down
I cannot pretend
That the heartache falls away
It's just like a river
Ooh, it's never ending
I cannot pretend
That the heartache falls away🎶

Mystikal - Bouncin’ Back (Bumpin’ Me Against The Wall)

🎶 I learned from you just like you learned from me
I plead, I pray for peace and perfect harmony
Somebody say fool you better keep on rapping
Stop that trippin', causin it ain't gone happen
I told them look you better mind yo business
Change yo' way of thinking and keep on living🎶

Making its debut as the first single off his third album Tarantula, “Bouncin’ Back” is rapper Mystikal’s classic funk fused shot of courage to the public that he crafted in the aftermath of 9/11 urging everyone to be safe, but also not to live in fear in light of the world’s current state of dangerous affairs. Produced by Pharrell Williams, “Bouncin’ Back” is also Mystikal’s way of telling everyone to look to the future with faith that we will bounce back from these challenging times. Though the song doesnt directly reference the attacks, Mystikal has stated hisself that he made the song in response to the attacks.

🎶Done started some trouble and you ain't been out since
Cause you stuck inside scared watching CNN
Just take the precaution so yo life a be better
Tell my friends to call me I ain't accepting no letters🎶

The Cranberries - New New York

🎶New New York skyline

Wounds will heal in time

Don’t crumble, dont dismay

It’s a new New York today🎶

When the amazing Cranberries released their 2002 compilation album of greatest hits they included a new record which in my opinion is the greatest Rock genre based song about 9/11, “New New York”. I can’t lie, everytime I hear this song it gives me chills. Cranberries frontwoman, Delores D’Oridian does a great job at capturing the pain felt and the perseverance displayed by the city of New York in the wake of 9/11 and the over all message is we will not be defeated and we will heal from the hurt.

🎶They won’t tear us apart

They won’t tear us apart

They won’t tear us apart

No way, no way, new day🎶

~Dedicated to the memory of everyone who perished on September 11th 2001.