Today marks 23 years after the terror attacks of 9/11. It was a fateful day and the largest attack to ever happen on American soil. Tragically, nearly three thousand Americans lost their lives in attempts to save their own as well as others. To this day the magnitude of the effects are hard to grasp and will continue to be due to the sheer scale of the event. Even after 23 years, America mourns the loss of the fallen.
Despite the death and destruction the event entailed, it also led to something else—solidarity. No matter what, everyone on that day stood for the American lives in danger and prayed for their safe return home. That being so, many musicians took to their pens and paper and studios and microphones to capture the sentiments of that day in hopes of brining America together. So, here are three songs memorializing the tragic events of 9/11.
The Brooklyn native has always been known to celebrate his home. Thus, when it came under attack he saw it as an opportunity to pay homage to the resilience of both the city and the country. “Empire State of Mind” is a patriotic tune lifting the spirits of Americans and New Yorkers from the rubble and aftermath of that day.
In their entirety, the lyrics are a nod to the unwavering patriotism of NYC, and consequently, a nod to American patriotism as a whole. Specifically, Jay-Z raps the line, Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade, and directly remembers the events of that day. The song isn’t merely about that day, nonetheless, it’s a celebratory tune about the patriotic power of the Big Apple.
Bruce Springsteen’s identity seemingly falls under that of a lyrical American hero. So when the day of 9/11 transpired he did what he did best and picked up his pen and wrote a one-for-all all tune about the gallantry of the 9/11 firefighters. The song encompasses notions of duty, solidarity, honor, and the loss of the firefighters of that day. It makes one mourn their loss and be thankful for their heroics.
Up the stairs, into the fire / I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher is the closing line of the first verse. Articulating the conscious sacrifice of these firefighters, Springsteen also acknowledges the bravery of everyone on that day, the things everybody lost on that day, and how despite these tragedies, Americans came out the other side with a genuine passion for community.
Given that their UK natives, Chris Martin and Coldplay bring an interesting perspective to the 9/11 attacks. It’s not a song rooted in American patriotism nor American solidarity, rather, it’s a tune about humanity’s attempt to digest the day concerning the state of the world. Martin stated, “I wrote the song on 9/11 and we recorded it on 9/13. We were all a little confused and frightened,” per Look at the Stars.
Per his comment and his nationality, Martin subverts his song’s title and gives a perspective not about pride in one’s country, but about pride in humanity. The song aims to educate one on both the happenings of the day, and how they might conduct themselves if events such as 9/11 should occur again. It is a truly uplifting song about the power of being a part of something bigger than yourself.
Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
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