Five Songs Honoring Everyday Heroes

Yesterday was the 16^th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States that left hundreds of innocent civilians dead and countless more wounded. But as we think about those that were lost on that fateful day, as well as those that have been affected by the more recent storms, we also remember the heroes that put their own lives in danger to help save others in their time of need.

There have been many songs over the years honoring the heroes in our lives who are making a difference. Whether they are the first responders in our fire and police departments, the military protecting our country or the everyday heroes who don’t wear a uniform, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, would like to honor those that have put their lives on the line to help others. Here are five songs about heroes that show the remarkable effects people can have on others.

1.       Foo Fighters, “My Hero”: Many heroes are just ordinary people. Dave Grohl makes this point clearly in “My Hero,” saying that since he never had “rock star” heroes, he wrote the song for the “everyday heroes in his life.” (video)

2.       John Lennon, “Working Class Hero”: One of his most political songs, Lennon wrote “Working Class Hero” to shine a light on social class structure. It’s those that work for a living in the middle class that are the true heroes and is someone to aspire and look up to. (video)

3.       Bette Midler, “Wind Beneath My Wings”: A hero can be someone that you look up to. That’s the kind of hero sung about in “Wind Beneath My Wings,” made popular by Bette Midler. In it, she sings to let someone know that she looks up to them, that they are “everything [she] would like to be.” (video)

4.       Toby Keith, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”: Written in the wake of 9/11, “Courtesy” is a tribute to his father, who had passed away months earlier, as well as an angry rant about the war in Afghanistan. However, the song became a theme for the military and those who save and defend people’s lives. (video)

5.       Five For Fighting, “Superman”: This song is a reminder that even people that even our heroes are just ordinary people. “Superman” is written from the perspective of the DC superhero, who confesses even though he is this powerful force, he is still a person with a difficult job. Released just months before the attacks, the song became an unofficial theme paying tribute to those that were killed and the heroes that saved others. (video)

These songs are a reminder that not all heroes wear capes. In remembering those that perished on 9/11 and those that helped rescue others, we honor all the heroes give all of themselves, regardless of what kind of harm it might put them in. Thank you.

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