On Monday and Friday, we'll be discussing some of the songs that emerged from 9/11. For Monday, let's consider the populist country hit by Toby Keith, "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue," as well as the album The Rising by Bruce Springsteen.
There is a story that "Springsteen got the inspiration for the album a few days after the 9/11 attacks, when a stranger in a car stopped next to him, wound down his window and said: 'We need you now.'" (from Wikipedia). Springsteen has rarely shied from adopting the mantle of "national bard," when he moved from being a youth poet to the man who could sing "Born in the U.S.A." and make it sound both full of pride and full of injury and betrayal. In that sense, I'd argue that he has been one of our most popular patriotic artists--but in a way that rarely feels smug or simple-minded.
I'd argue that this album may well have been the most important artistic response to 9/11; there may be others that emerge, but for its reach, its power, and its complexity (a term rarely used when speaking of pop music), The Rising gets my vote.
When listening to these songs, pay careful attention to the lyrics, and re-read them as if they were poetry. There are many allusions to mull over(to the Bible, for example, not just to features of the 9/11 and post-9/11 world). When you write about these works, take time to make sense of the lyrics, and their use of persona, imagery, allusion, etc.
Here are some general questions for your consideration and response.
1. Why was Toby Keith’s “Courtesy” such a hit song? Would it be a hit today? Why, why not? Is it a song of grief or grievance?
2. In what ways does Bruce Springsteen’s album “The Rising” engage in the work of public elegy (think about "Into the Fire," "Empty Sky," and "Nothing Man,")?
3. Why does Springsteen use the motifs of religious "revival" experiences (listen to "The Rising," in particular, or "Mary's Place," for a secular version). In what are these songs also responses to 9/11?
4. In what other ways does Springsteen challenge the official narrative of 9/11 in these songs (think about "Worlds Apart," or "Empty Sky")
5. If you have a favorite song from this list, or other songs that broach 9/11, what is it, and why? What makes it important as a cultural and artistic response to or artifact of 9/11?
just an fyi--we've had people visit the blog from Mexico, Colombia, and Tunisia, among elsewhere. So thanks for your thoughtful responses. We are being read.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree with your thoughts about the Boss, PM. Don't forget he'll be in CLE on April 17! And keep up the good work with the blog.
ReplyDeleteChris, it's a bit of tragic story...I've never seen THE BOSS live.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I never realized "The Rising" was about 9/11. I must not have been paying much attention when I listened to it when it came out. Will relisten asap.
ReplyDeleteI think the "boot in your ass song," as I like to call it, had a bit of a resurgence after Bin Laden was killed. It certainly resonated at the time.
Phil, I think we should see if Applied Ethics will pay for us and a couple of students to go see Springsteen in April. It has been an age, but Springsteen in concert was the best I ever saw. We should also see if Steve Earle is going to be in town. He never gets much of a crowd when he comes to Cleveland, but he is definitely worth seeing. At one point, Earle apparently said that Townes van Zandt was the best damn songwriter we had and that he would stand on Dylan's coffee table in his cowboy boots to tell him so. For my money, Earle is right up there. His album about the Iraq war is very powerful. See what you think of his song, "Rich Man's War."
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If you're looking for something a little different with a 9/11 theme, Will Smith put out "Tell Me Why" and Linkin Park has "Hands Held High". Worth a listen in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteMike, thanks for these, i absolutely love Linkin Park, especially "Hands Held High". I never thought about it in terms of 9/11, though i know it is about the war. Definitely worth a re-listen. Thanks again!
DeleteWhy was Toby Keith’s “Courtesy” such a hit song?
ReplyDeleteI think this song was so powerful right when it came out because people heard it at a time when they were still angry. "Courtesy" is an angry "F u terrorists" kind of song that really packs a punch. I think people needed that, people were riled up and ready to rally. And also, I think people wanted to feel strong again and angry- because being angry is better than being scared.
Would it be a hit today?
I think it's still a pretty big hit. I know a good amount of people in the Military and it's definitely a favor among that crowd. Like I said, it's a "Get amped" kind of song.
Is it a song of grief?
I see it definitely as a song of grief still. Only people who were really hurting could get that angry. When we're hurt we get mad, and talking about putting a "boot in their ass" and having the "statue of liberty shaking her fist" is pretty powerful.
It's a great song for a lot of people. I feel angry sometimes, but I tend to do more of trying to "figure out" the enemy and their motives. Getting pissed doesn't really help me to cope. That being sad, the song makes me smile. And that's a power all in itself.
In response to Keith's video I believe that this was such a great hit at the time he recorded it due to the fact that it deals greatly with American pride. At this time all of the American public was in awe and wanted the people that had done this to suffer and for America to make sure that they paid for what they did to on that tragic day. Within the song he tries to reach out to the American public by saying that his father had been in the Army because it is the ultimate act in the United States to serve in the Armed Forces and defend the country. By mentioning this detail within his song it helped connect the American public together because many people within the United States have had a family member at some point go into the armed forces and can relate to Keith when he mentions that detail. Whereas in Keith's song he is telling that American is strong and will " put a boot in your ass" , Alan Jackson made a song at the same time and approached 9/11 in a different way. In Jackson's song " Where Were You" it reaches out and touches the emotional appeal to all Americans not just those directly affected by the event in a personal way. Within the song Jackson asked where people were when this event happened, "out in the yard with your wife and children or working on some stage in LA" and it just causes one to think about where they were at once the news hit. Also within the song Jackson says " did you weep for the children that lost their dear love one, pray for the ones who don't know." This too has an emotional appeal due to the fact that it instantly causes one to see the emotional trauma some endured that tragic day. Imagine not knowing if your family member was alive or dead, or being a child and hearing that you will never see your family member ever again and the emotional trauma that would bring to you. Country songs tend to deal with politics or just the American public in general and the actions and decisions that occur with American Society. These two songs at the time were great because of the timing but If they would record them again today I don't believe they would have the same emotional appeal as they did back in 2001.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue", I think it was such a hit because it helped Americans cope with the horror and confusion that was going on because it let people both be angry about what happened but also feel united at the same time. Keith uses words like "we" that help us feel like it's us against them, which is a mentality many Americans shared at the time. While the song undoubtedly has an angry, war-focused theme to it, it also just helped many Americans stand up and basically say that we aren't going to back down. The attacks, in my opinion, were an eye opener for our nation, so in the middle of the chaos, songs like this one helped Americans stand together and fight back.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that it would be as big of a hit today just because the shock and confusion have worn off quite a bit, but I believe it would still be popular just because it's such a wholeheartedly patriotic and unifying song. It's also a reminder of the anger that many of us felt but may have forgotten, which would help the song gain popularity even ten years later.
Out of the videos shown, i really liked "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue". It was a strong song that i believe showed how America is a strong country and will come after anyone who threatens us.
ReplyDeleteAs far as a song that i like, another would "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day. This is a really moving song and definitely displays the sorrow of 9/11. There was also a version of it that i remember was played on the radio on one of the 9/11 anniversaries but i can not find it to save my life. It featured many commentaries of parents of soldiers, quotes from president Bush, and other important quotes played over top of the song that really strengthened it and made it even more moving.
Here's the song with a slideshow of the events of 9/11 put to it:
http://youtu.be/6uzFiz76-Fk
Also, here is the original video in case anyone wanted to see it. Its a pretty good music video.
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU9JoFKlaZ0
I enjoyed all the songs. I found it most interesting how "Courtesy" is much more of an angry, almost vengeful song and Springsteen's songs have a recurring theme that was noted in the article by Carithers "...one long prayer that asks a higher power for strength, faith, hope, and love in response to 9/11" (104). I think that the feeling of prayer or meditation in the album comes from the repetition. Repetitive phrases were noted in both the album review from Slate and the longer article by Carithers. Some particular words that were frequently repeated in addition to the previously mentioned are also "blood", "dust", and "fire". The repeated words contribute to the theme surrounding 9/11.
ReplyDeleteI still find "Courtesy" to be a good song today and I believe it would still be popular if released today. However, I think that the message was much more relevant immediately after 9/11. Springsteen's songs are more of a remembrance and have a bigger impact on me. My favorite was "Into the Fire".
Courtesy of the Red White and Blue was huge hit, because it is easy to relate to. Keith's angry words are up beat and patriotic. They don't delve into the real feelings of hurt, despair, and confusion of that day; however I think a part of the American mentality is that we shouldn't be viewed as weak. The anthem of "Courtesy" allowed the public to feel strong and ready to take on "them" and the terrorists.
ReplyDeleteSpringsteen's album is much more reflective. It shows vulnerability. As you listen to his songs, especially "Empty Sky" and "Into the fire" you are brought right back to the moment of the attacks, that day. "Into the Fire" is a testament to all of the first responders and it is a prayer to their memory. Springsteen makes you reflect, a much different feeling than the strong patriotic flare from Keith.
Toby Keith's song, "Courtesy" which I had never heard before was an awesome song which I believed was more about grievance then grief. It talked about what was happening in of country and that we would remain strong and fight back as a whole. I also believe people listen to songs and become their "favorites" depending on the relevance it has in their life. I definitely listen to songs that I can relate to or are similar to things that are happening in my life so I can see the releasing of this song sky rocketing on the charts. But as I was thinking about songs that were released at this time I thought about one of my favorites, "Where Is the Love?" by the Black Eyed Peas. This song was released in 2003 and was a favorite on my bus. We would have competitions to see who could memorize the song the fastest. So I was thinking about why these two songs were so popular, one geared towards an older age group with a better sense of the tragedy and the other geared towards a younger group of kids that could help them understand the happenings two years ago form the songs release. Although I believe if both songs were to be released in 2012 The Black Eyed Peas would have a better shot at reaching the number one spot. And unfortunately you could say that just on the beat alone. The Black Eyed Peas used a beat that people could really get into and have fun with while maintaing the important meaning behind the attacks while Toby's song was a little sadder, having a slower beat behind the words. I do think that both songs would be a good reminder of the attacks if they were to come out now but I think Toby's would struggle just based on the slow pace beat. I thought it was really interesting to compare the two songs and see how "Where Is the Love?" differed from "Courtesy" in a time of such sadness and distress.
ReplyDeleteI understand the popularity of both of these songs; like a fan supposedly once said to Springsteen, America needed a musical voice to sort out all the afterthoughts and confusions about the attacks of 9/11. Most interestingly, though, I believe that the Springsteen songs hold much more power and weight than the Toby Keith song. As I briefly mentioned in class, Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue simply skims the surface of the tragedy. The overall messages I got from the lyrics comes to an oversimplified: "We got attacked, we're mad, and we're going to fight back." Fortunately for Keith, his song resonated with the overall emotions of the time period. Yes, America was angry. Ten years later, though, the song would completely flop. In my opinion, this song only gained popularity because Americans were caught up in the heat of the moment, in the immediate aftermath of the attacks; they shared Keith's angry attitude, and they wanted to sing about it. In contrast, Springsteen's song offered a much more subdued and multifaceted response to the attacks. While his album may not have the "kick ass" factor that Keith's single boasts, Springsteen still draws in proud listeners by peeling back the layers of the attacks from how they affected America as a whole to how they affected singular Americans. Beyond my bias against country music, I sincerely do believe that Springsteen's music holds much more quality than Keith's songs, and with that being said, I believe that Springsteen's songs remain relevant and will remain relevant for years to come.
ReplyDeleteOverall I feel like the two artists examined the attacks on 9/11 in a completely different way. Admittedly, I find the Toby Keith song to be a catchy and rousing song. However, with that being said there's no way that it can compare to the songs that Springsteen released shortly following the attacks. My dad has always been a big Springsteen fan and for years had urged me to listen and appreciate his music. The first time that I saw Springsteen was during his 2007 tour in Cleveland. Although it was almost five years after his release of "The Rising", the energy was apparent. Seeing him live allowed me to understand the nation's need for a person such as him to produce something relatable and powerful to help deal with the attacks. Keith's song was almost a call for action; it seemed like a knee jerk reaction. Springsteen on the other hand produced songs that called for reflection and gave the nation something to hold on to when they were in a time of need.
ReplyDeletei know that courtesy is the more popular song bc i have heard that fairly often on the radio and it came out a few years ago while i have never heard any of these springsteen songs on the radio even though i think they may have better lyrical quality. i feel like bruces album is all about picking up the pieces and getting back to what we do while courtesy is more about striking back. springsteen uses these religious motifs so the person listening get a feeling of rising from the ashes. my favorite of the songs was empty sky
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