Posted on Sep 11, 2018
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18
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9/11
Music
Musician
United States
Video
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
8
8
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Thank you my friend TSgt Joe C. for sharing the music video of Alan Jackson performing his hit single "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)" live at the Grand Ole Opry which was featured on an episode of Noteworthy at the Opry on GAC - Great American Country on July 25, 2012.
I was supposed to be in the Pentagon in the wing next to that which was hit. Our offices have been moved from that wing and shifted counterclockwise when view from above. I had a meeting that day - at my convenience. As it was I was at home reading the Bible and praying on that beautiful September morning. I received a phone call in late morning letting me know the Pentagon had been hit and I would not be able to get access to the Pentagon.
An old friend was in LTG Maude's office watching the events in New York on the big screen TV. By the grace of God, he left the A ring office and went to the men's bathroom by the E-ring. The plane hit LTG Maude's office and instantly killed all in that office and the flames shot up the corridor and severely burned my friend who was in the men's room. He survived with skin grafts and is now doing pretty well.
A couple who are neighbors of friends of ours at church were leaving for an anniversary trip and happened to be on the plane that hit the Pentagon.
After I was mobilized to the Pentagon, I was at an awards ceremony in early 2002 [after we moved back from offsite into the Pentagon]. A colonel received an impact award for his efforts to get people out of the AOC after the plane hit. I received my third MSM at that ceremony for actions unrelated to 9-11-2001.
"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"
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…"
Background on the song
Written by Jackson in the wake of the September 11 attacks, this song was released on November 26, 2001 as the lead single from his Drive album. The track topped the Billboard Country charts and peaked at #28 on the Hot 100.
Jackson introduced the song at the Country Music Association's annual awards show on November 7, 2001. Speaking to The Boot in 2013, Jackson said that he perceives this tune to be his biggest-ever accomplishment. "I [recently] did a radio interview, and the guy was talking about being at the [CMA] Awards the night I sang 'Where Were You,'" he explained. "Even though that was a hard performance for me and an emotional time, I still get so many comments about that. Of all the awards, and all that kind of stuff, the music is still what I like. To be able to create a song that really affects people and makes a mark in the music industry, I would have to say that would be a highlight."
Jackson wrote the song on his own, with the idea coming to him at 4am in the morning. He explained to The Boot that the lyrics really "came out of nowhere." "It was just a gift," he said. "I got up and scribbled it down and put the melody down so I wouldn't forget it, and the next day I started piecing all those verses together, thoughts I had or visuals I had."
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=32220
FYI Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown 1stSgt Eugene Harless CW5 John M. MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Michael Thorin SGT (Join to see) SGT Robert George SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SP5 Robert Ruck SPC Margaret Higgins Maj Marty Hogan SSgt Brian Brakke SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
I was supposed to be in the Pentagon in the wing next to that which was hit. Our offices have been moved from that wing and shifted counterclockwise when view from above. I had a meeting that day - at my convenience. As it was I was at home reading the Bible and praying on that beautiful September morning. I received a phone call in late morning letting me know the Pentagon had been hit and I would not be able to get access to the Pentagon.
An old friend was in LTG Maude's office watching the events in New York on the big screen TV. By the grace of God, he left the A ring office and went to the men's bathroom by the E-ring. The plane hit LTG Maude's office and instantly killed all in that office and the flames shot up the corridor and severely burned my friend who was in the men's room. He survived with skin grafts and is now doing pretty well.
A couple who are neighbors of friends of ours at church were leaving for an anniversary trip and happened to be on the plane that hit the Pentagon.
After I was mobilized to the Pentagon, I was at an awards ceremony in early 2002 [after we moved back from offsite into the Pentagon]. A colonel received an impact award for his efforts to get people out of the AOC after the plane hit. I received my third MSM at that ceremony for actions unrelated to 9-11-2001.
"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"
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…"
Background on the song
Written by Jackson in the wake of the September 11 attacks, this song was released on November 26, 2001 as the lead single from his Drive album. The track topped the Billboard Country charts and peaked at #28 on the Hot 100.
Jackson introduced the song at the Country Music Association's annual awards show on November 7, 2001. Speaking to The Boot in 2013, Jackson said that he perceives this tune to be his biggest-ever accomplishment. "I [recently] did a radio interview, and the guy was talking about being at the [CMA] Awards the night I sang 'Where Were You,'" he explained. "Even though that was a hard performance for me and an emotional time, I still get so many comments about that. Of all the awards, and all that kind of stuff, the music is still what I like. To be able to create a song that really affects people and makes a mark in the music industry, I would have to say that would be a highlight."
Jackson wrote the song on his own, with the idea coming to him at 4am in the morning. He explained to The Boot that the lyrics really "came out of nowhere." "It was just a gift," he said. "I got up and scribbled it down and put the melody down so I wouldn't forget it, and the next day I started piecing all those verses together, thoughts I had or visuals I had."
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=32220
FYI Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown 1stSgt Eugene Harless CW5 John M. MSG Andrew White SFC William Farrell SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4"SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Michael Thorin SGT (Join to see) SGT Robert George SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SP5 Robert Ruck SPC Margaret Higgins Maj Marty Hogan SSgt Brian Brakke SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) by Alan Jackson Songfacts
Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) by Alan Jackson song meaning, lyric interpretation, video and chart position
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I saw him in concert about 7 or 8 years ago in Wilkes Barre, he put on a great show. The first entertainer I saw since the 70’s that stayed after a concert to sign autographs and speak with his fans. He is truly a good person.
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