# Songs that capture the feeling of 9/11 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 16, 2003, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912 "2003-09-16T07:28:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SonOfArizona](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SonOfArizona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SonOfArizona)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/1 "2003-09-16T07:28:06Z")
Listening through some of my forgotten mp3s today, I came across a song that literally sent chills down my back, as well as a distinct visual trip through 9/11. No, I am not tripping - What I mean is I sat back and closed my eyes, and imagined events of 9/11 to this song, and it seemed to match perfectly. The song I am talking about is Greenwheel - Breathe. I don’t even know if the song got airplay around 9/11 or if it was written before 9/11, but I swear, this makes a great tribute song. But then again, maybe, I just heard it during that month or something and my brain linked the incident to the music. Whatever the case may be, I suggest some you guys give it a listen, and maybe list some other songs that remind you of what happened that day. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/2 "2003-09-16T10:21:01Z")
Funny you should mention this - I heard the song “Side” by Travis the other day and it took me right back to that crazy period of time. No reason really, other than that it was released around that time and was played on the radio lots. The weekend after 9/11 I was down on the west coast of England and it was so peaceful, and I remember finding it difficult to take in the fact that as I sat looking out to sea there was so much chaos on the opposite shore of the ocean… Anyway, that song reminds me of that feeling. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/3 "2003-09-16T10:28:06Z")
I cannot separate Ryan Adams’s _New York New York_ from memories of 9-11, for obvious reasons, but particularly because the video features the WTC and was filmed on September 10. Excellent song, and I find the association very moving. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/4 "2003-09-16T12:07:59Z")
“Try to Remember” from the Fantastics. Try to Remember that kind of September When grass was green and grain was yellow… When no one wept except the willow. The show opened in 1963 and closed December 2001. Deep in December, it’s nice to remember Without a hurt, the heart is hollow. Yeah, right. Try singing that 8 times a week after 9/11. ---
**Author:** ![Baggins111](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@Baggins111](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baggins111)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/5 "2003-09-16T12:19:14Z")
Leonard Cohen’s _First We Take Manhattan_ (1988) I was listening to this song the day before 9/11. Had to listen to it again 9/11 evening. I got chills on the second verse. \*They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom For trying to change the system from within I’m coming now, I’m coming to reward them First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin I’m guided by a signal in the heavens I’m guided by this birthmark on my skin I’m guided by the beauty of our weapons First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin I’d really like to live beside you, baby I love your body and your spirit and your clothes But you see that line there moving through the station? I told you, I told you, told you, I was one of those Ah you loved me as a loser, but now you’re worried that I just might win You know the way to stop me, but you don’t have the discipline How many nights I prayed for this, to let my work begin First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin I don’t like your fashion business mister And I don’t like these drugs that keep you thin I don’t like what happened to my sister First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin I’d really like to live beside you, baby … And I thank you for those items that you sent me The monkey and the plywood violin I practiced every night, now I’m ready First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin I am guided Ah remember me, I used to live for music Remember me, I brought your groceries in Well it’s Father’s Day and everybody’s wounded First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin\* ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/6 "2003-09-16T12:49:44Z")
Careful with listing lyrics, you might get whacked. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=201964](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=201964) I suppose my song would be For What It’s Worth, Buffalo Springfield. I know, kinda lame, but it works for me. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/7 "2003-09-16T12:59:21Z")
At the time, Paul Simon’s [“American Tune”](http://www.poplyrics.net/waiguo/simongarfunkel/095.htm) really struck me. It still does. ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Train\_Song](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Black\_Train\_Song](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Train_Song)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/8 "2003-09-16T13:05:03Z")
I don’t know why but [On the turning away](http://members.tripod.com/reality_dysfunction/music/OnTheTurningAway.htm) by pink floyd makes me think of it. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/9 "2003-09-16T16:15:59Z")
Springsteen’s entire album “The Rising” gives me chills, and especially the song “Mary’s Place” about letting go of the dead. ---
**Author:** ![Baggins111](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@Baggins111](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baggins111)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/10 "2003-09-16T16:46:10Z")
Thanks **ccwarterback**. I have seen the error of my ways. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/11 "2003-09-16T16:50:39Z")
Actually, THE FANTASTICKS closed on January 13, 2002; I was at the last public performance after 42 years, before one last private one for old cast members. Yes, El Gallo cried as he sang it, as much for the occasion as for 9/11; but the poignancy because of 9/11 was great, especially since the couple of weeks of lost business (since the Sullivan St. Playhouse is half a block north of Houston St., well in the Frozen Zone) didn’t help much when the owners decided to sell the townhouse it’s in. Still hasn’t been sold, BTW. As of last week it’s sitting empty, with the signs all gone except for the huge metal Playhouse one. Sad. ---
**Author:** ![AmericanMaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@AmericanMaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmericanMaid)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/12 "2003-09-16T19:44:29Z")
Live’s “Overcome” really captures the feelings from 9/11. \*even though the world is bleedin the feeling just fine all numb in the castle we were always free to choose never free enough to find I wish something would break cuz we’re runnin out of time and I am overcome I am overcome holy water in my lungs I am overcome these women in the street pullin out their hair my master’s in the yard givin light to the unaware this blasted little place is just a step amongst the stairs and I am overcome I am overcome holy water in my lungs I am overcome so drive me out out to the open field turn the ignition off and spin around your help is here but I’m parked in this open space and I am overcome I am overcome holy water in my lungs I am overcome I am overcome, oh lord I am overcome holy water in my lungs holy water, only water I am overcome beautiful drownin this beautiful drownin this holy water this holy water is in my lungs and I am overcome I am overcome I, I, I am overcome I am overcome\* ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/13 "2003-09-16T19:59:14Z")
Ashes Of American Flags by Wilco. It just brings back how numb I felt when I heard what happened. I remember the announcement, in the middle of drama class. I started to shake when I thought of my american relatives that lived in New York. Damn it, Gadfly, you’re a teenager. You’re not supposed to get misty. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2003, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-capture-the-feeling-of-9-11/201912/14 "2003-09-16T23:25:45Z")
So many. The Rising, definitely. Fire and Rain – The part that says “…sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground…” Most of the songs that they sang in that televised tribute afterwards. This will probably be a mood-killer that will get some people upset, since a lot of people don’t like them: “Let’s Roll” and “The Angry American.”