WTC Tragedy: Which Songwriter Can Do It Justice?

Cafe Society
#1

In the absence of John Lennon, my vote goes to Ray Davies of The Kinks (perhaps I should say “formerly of the…”?)

He has always been most prolific in his lyrics about the state of the world.

A close second would be Dylan and for the less angry side, Elton John and/or Bernie Taupin.

Your choices?

Quasi

#2

Maybe Don McLean or Arlo Guthrie.

#3

Britney Spears.

Naw, just kiddin’.

I’ll say Randy Newman, Sting, or Tracy Chapman.

#4

I think Bruce Springsteen could do a decent job.

#5

Loudon Wainwright III

#6

I heard the song “Cold Missouri Waters” on an Album by “CRY CRY CRY” (Dar Williams, Lucy Kaplansky and Richard Schindell). It’s about fire fighters losing their lives to a forrest fire.
The song was written by James Keelaghan.
I’m going to post a link to a site that has the lyrics posted.
Take a look at them. They are about heroism and bravery and to me they resonate with the events of 911.
http://mysongbook.de/msb/songs/c/coldmiss.html

-Ken

#7

Elvis Costello

#8

Gordon Lightfoot

(BTW, I don’t think my opinion matters on this because I know squat about music.)

#9

Leonard Cohen?

#10

Tom Paxton wrote a fine song already, I heard it performed by Garrison Keeler on PHC two weeks ago.

I think Loudon Wainwright III wrote one too, he may have performed it on Fresh Aire last week.

#11

As long as it ISN’T Neil Young. Don’t get me wrong, I like a lot of his stuff, but take a look at the liner notes from his Decade album about the song, “Ohio”:

“It’s still hard to believe I had to write this song. It’s ironic that I capitalized on the death of these American students…”

[sarcasm on] Oooooohhhh, so sorry to have bothered you, MISTER Young. Next time we kill some students, we’ll be SURE to do it in private. [sarcasm off]

Irony, you say? Nothing ironic about accepting those royalty checks, eh?

#12

Well, you might look to those who wrote great songs about John Lennon. Elton John/Bernie Taupin with Empty Garden and Paul Simon with The Late Great Johnny Ace come to mind.

#13

Bruce Cockburn?

#14

Leonard Cohen.

#15

John Lennon…dead.
John Denver…dead.

…I’m stumped!

#16

…John Prine.

…Warren Zevon, if you want a song that kicks Bin Laden in the ass.

#17

Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote a Latin Requiem Mass which was only recorded once. I’ve always wondered what an English version would sound like, and I think now would be a good time for it.

#18

Paul Simon

or

Randy Newman

#19

Rufus Wainwright
Billy Joel
Paul Simon

#20

*Yeah, well, it depends on the artist. You know, Jose Feliciano, ya got no complaints. *
[sub]**Shameless theft of script from the movie Fargo