About the song
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001, American country music singer Alan Jackson penned a song that would become an anthem of reflection, healing, and unity for a nation in shock. “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” is a poignant ballad that captures the emotions and thoughts of a generation, asking the question that has haunted many of us: “Where were you when the world stopped turning?”
The song’s genesis began on September 11, 2001, when Jackson was inspired to write a song after watching the news of the attacks unfold. He struggled to put his thoughts and emotions into words, but eventually, the melody and lyrics came to him in the early hours of October 28, 2001. The song’s simple, yet powerful, lyrics ask questions about the reactions of others, from the mundane to the profound, as they grappled with the tragedy.
The song’s release was met with widespread acclaim, topping the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for five weeks and reaching number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Critics praised the song’s understated elegance, with Deborah Evans Price of Billboard remarking, “A multitude of songs have been written and recorded in the wake of September 11, but none captures the myriad emotions unleashed by the terrorist attacks on an unsuspecting nation more perfectly than Jackson’s eloquent ballad.”
The song’s impact extended beyond the music charts, with many considering it a symbol of hope and healing in the aftermath of the attacks. The song won numerous awards, including the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Awards for “Song of the Year” and “Single of the Year,” as well as a Grammy Award for “Best Country Song.” The song’s message of love, hope, and unity resonated with audiences worldwide, making it a timeless classic that continues to evoke emotions and memories of that fateful day.
In the years since its release, “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” has been covered by numerous artists, including Scotty McCreery and Taylor Swift, who performed the song live on the tenth anniversary of the attacks. The song’s legacy serves as a reminder of the power of music to bring people together, to heal, and to reflect on the complexities of human experience.
In conclusion, “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” is a masterpiece of country music that transcends genres and generations. Its simple, yet profound, lyrics capture the essence of human emotion, asking the question that has haunted us all: “Where were you when the world stopped turning?” The song’s impact will continue to be felt for generations to come, serving as a testament to the enduring power of music to heal, unite, and inspire.
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Lyrics
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?
Did you weep for the children, they lost their dear loved ones
Pray for the ones who don’t know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out with pride for the red, white, and blue
And the heroes who died just doin’ what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?
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
Where were you when the world stopped turnin’
That September day?
Teachin’ a class full of innocent children
Or drivin’ down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty ’cause you’re a survivor?
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages
And speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you’re watchin’
And turn on I Love Lucy reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Stand in line to give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?
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
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
And the greatest is love
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turnin’
On that September day?