Just to be clear, this is not a ranking. This is simply a list of ten songs that you might find fitting as you pay tribute to the anniversary of 9/11.

 

 

 


10) "Star Spangled Banner"

 

I figure this is a good place to start. Here's a video of Whitney tearing it up at Super Bowl XXV. Speaking as a Bills fan, the game was all downhill after this.

 

 

 

 

9) Pearl Jam "I Am Mine"

 

This is a personal favorite. In the words of Eddie Vedder, "this song is about personal safety."

 

Key lyrics: "There's no need to hide / we're safe tonight"

 

 

 

 

8) Toby Keith "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue"

 

Most people had conflicted feelings after 9/11. Sometimes you were upset and contemplative, and sometimes you were angry and wanted to stick a boot up Bin Laden's ass. This is for the latter times.

 

 

 

 


7) The Who "Won't Get Fooled Again"

 

The Who's performance at the Concert For NYC was one of the most memorable things to happen in music this decade. Here's the video:

 

 

 

 


6) Enrique Iglesias "Hero"

 

There was a 9/11 remix of this song dedicated to the police officers and firefighters who attempted to enter the World Trade Centers after the attacks. You can listen here (Note: if that link gives you an error message, try again later. Seems like a lot of people are checking out that song today).

 

Here's the original version. It's not quite as touching, but it does feature Jennifer Love Hewitt.

 

 

 

 


5) Alan Jackson "Where Were You"

 

I really debated whether to include this one, and I decided sometimes laughter is the best medicine.

 

 

 

 


4) U2 "Walk On"

 

This was probably the most played song in that first week after 9/11. Great song, perfect theme.

 

 

 

 


3) Marvin Gaye "What's Goin On"

 

A bunch of big-time musicians got together after the attacks to record an updated version of this song. Still, nobody does it quite like Marvin.

 

 

 

 


2) Bruce Springsteen "The Rising"

 

The definitive 9/11 song. Odds are you'll hear this 1,000 more times today. Come on up fur the risin'.

 

 

 

 


1) John Lennon "Imagine"

 

When in doubt, go with John Lennon. This song was actually banned from radio stations shortly after 9/11, which is ridiculous, because it's the perfect song for such a time. The message is hope, hope for a better world where things like this don't happen.