Darryl Worley = the singer.
“Have You Forgotten” = the song.
Darryl + song + Patriotism = Very, very bad shit.
Here are the lyrics below to his hit song, “Have You Forgotten.” Sarah saw him perform in Nashville (not her choice, she can tell you about that experience), but…yah. I’m sure you’ve heard the song. The lyrics say enough…
I hear people saying we don’t need this war
I say there’s some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn’t get to keep ‘em by backing down
They say we don’t realize the mess we’re getting in
Before you start your preaching let me ask you this my friendHave you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn’t worry ’bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it’s too disturbing for you and me
It’ll just breed anger that’s what the experts say
If it was up to me I’d show it everyday
Some say this country’s just out looking for a fight
After 9/11 man I’d have to say that’s rightHave you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn’t worry ’bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?I’ve been there with the soldiers
Who’ve gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they’re fighting forHave you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn’t worry ’bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Some went down like heros in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don’t you tell me not to worry about bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?
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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
well..just the fact that he rhymed something with bin laden..would that even get a D in a freshman music clasS?
mark
What does this war have to do with bin Laden again?
So what are you cracking on? The patriotism? The really bad lyrics (artistacally speaking)? Or both?
Primarily the really horrible lyrics…plus, potentially a misguided patriotism. That’s all.
Becareful pomomusings, I sure hope your not discrediting the legitimacy of one peoples suffering in favor of anothers . . . it sure sounds like you are.
Nope. I have said nothing about the suffering of those who lost loved ones in 9/11, Reno. It was horrific.
Keep in mind that this post is primarily, as Mark pointed out above, about a country singer who hits the top charts because he attempted to find words that rhyme with Bin Laden.
And worse than that, he’s using the tragedy and sorrows of one group of people (those who did lose loved ones during 9/11) as a tool – as a tool to try to sway the American public (through media and music) to believing that this war is just and right and that we should be over there (while soldiers die and MORE families lose loved ones).
So, it’s not that I’m discrediting the suffering of Americans in favor of Palestinians (as you implied). It’s that I think the song just sucks (artistically and lyrically) and that I think he’s attempting to use the country music radio-world as a rallying platform for his pro-war song; forgetting that the war that he’s ‘fighting for’ is causing more and more deaths for both Americans AND Iraqis.
First, i didn’t use the word Palestinian once . . . so easy tiger.
Second, your use of the word “horrific” doesn’t impress. As a matter of fact you rob it of any lexical power by throwing it out there is such a self assured fashion.
“Keep in mind that this post is primarily, as Mark pointed out above, about a country singer who hits the top charts because he attempted to find words that rhyme with Bin Laden.”
No, dude. This is a country singer who hits the top of the charts because there are people out there who resonate with the idea of “Remembrance” . . . that is what the song is about. YOU, have turned it into something that robs those people of legitimate remembrance through your sarcastic and, might i add, self-righteous attitude towards it.
If you really care about the artistic merits of the song –which i think there is room to doubt since you immediately made it about something else, i.e. the singer and patriotism– then you might have compared it to Springsteen’s The Rising. You may have said that while there is legitimacy in this type of musical expression –i.e. Woody Guthrie songs against Fascists which I’m sure you wouldn’t disagree with even though the song may be patriotic– the poetic value of the lyrics in The Rising make room for suffering and loss without attempting to point fingers or vilify.
But you didn’t . . .
P.S. please don’t insult family’s of service members by claim that you want their suffering to stop. The ethics of military service and sacrifice pro patria aren’t going to be dealt with by throwing slogans which you’ve done.
The first time I heard this song I laughed uncontrollably. Just because it was so incredibly cheesy, the sound of his voice mixed with the rhyming of Bin Laden. But I was knocked off my high horse while I was singing the song in a mocking voice, and my sister interrupted and said “I like this song”. She was 17 at the time and is not into politics and doesn’t follow the news at all. For her, that song strictly was about remembrance, not brain washing about whether or not the war is “right”. We could look at this song as some political platform, or we can simply look at it as this persons way of helping others “remember” if you will. I hate the song, but not because I think it is propaganda, it just sucks.
i can dig that katie . . .
by the way KH, great blog.
Nice that he’s making so much money off of those deaths. I wonder if he’s donating all proceeds to the families or whether he’s forgotten that too. This is clearly propaganda to tie the current war to 911 and it’s naive to say its just a song about remembrance but I guess we’ve forgotten that all links between Iraq and 911 were false. I will say that both sides use propaganda so if this works for them then so be it. But I do hope he is donating money he makes since it’s working so nicely for him to exploit death and suffering.
Freedom isn’t Free, Adam. These colors don’t run!
thanks Reno.
and bobby, you’re right that both sides do use propaganda. sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. but it isn’t naive to say that some people clearly like this song just to “remember”, whether or not that was the singer/songwriter’s intention. in the end if people are swayed over a horrible country song, that is their bad, not mine.
Bobby,
What’s naive is your oversimplified understanding of the world works. You’ve managed to rob the word propaganda of any real significance in the world. In one fall swoop you’ve reduced all rhetoric to propaganda . . . good job.
Then you say, “this is ‘clearly’ propaganda” . . . So, not only have you reduced all rhetoric to propaganda but you’ve managed to claim yourself as an authority on deciphering the cacophony of propagandist rhetoric.
The coup de grace is insinuating that any statement made in the public sphere is 1) for profit only 2) only valid if it is not for money. I guess people like U2, Coldplay, Bob Geldorf and other artists / public figures / activists can’t make any money AND make a statement?
Whose allowed to make money and make a statement? Only those people who are making the right statement.
Bob . . . i think it’s fare to say this is a dubious assertion.
Also dubious is Reno’s operative assumption that Bob has taken any time to think about any of these things carefully. Bob was just sounding off. He stands self-condemned.
Ok. I’ve always hated this song. I think the lyrics are stupid and infantile and I hate anyone cashing in on tragedy. But…
In a comment, Adam says, “…I think he’s attempting to use the country music radio-world as a rallying platform for his pro-war song….” Okay. How many uninformed rock stars (Green Day comes immediately to mind) have used rock radio to push their platform?
Somehow, I guess, those not in support of the war and the president have wisely avoided platitudes and clever catchphrases. Good for them. And the conservative side has screwed up by throwing out such platitudes and catchphrases. They’ve over-simplified something. I don’t like flag waving and Bible beating either, but let’s not just assume everyone that does like those things is an ignorant, thumbsucking, half-breed. And let’s not treat them that way.
One final note here . . . the Worley song is in response to the Afghanistan war not the Iraq war (check his website). It’s a reference to a war that IS justified and supported by the international community.
If you don’t remember, the Afghan Taliban government was the object of Liberal hatred throughout the 90’s for forcing women to wear full body Burqas, blowing up priceless and ancient Buddhist art and –not to mentionРfor having a government which housed, trained and supported factions responsible for the ’93 bombing on WTC (under Bill Clinton) and the eventual murder of thousands of lives at WTC.
Seems like 10 years ago Worley would have been the poster boy for Liberal ire against Bin Laden’s vision of a Talibanesque world . . .
I guess if you’re against the Afghan war too then one could truly say you have forgotten!
this song still sucks though, no two ways around it.
Apparently Worley didn’t feel some people quite remembered just how “horrific” that day in September really was. From his website:
“After overhearing a conversation about the Afghan War, he quickly wrote and recorded the topical “Have You Forgotten.” In early 2003, it shot up the charts to No. 1.”
You folks against the Afghan war too now?
Worley says he has gotten a couple of calls and a couple of letters protesting his song, and one that trashed him pretty good, but he shrugs it off, saying, “That’s part of the American way.”
Also, as I recall, Bush said back in 2003 that there was no Saddam/911 link. It wasn’t one of his justifications for the war.
Adam, you’re totally right…. BAD song. It really does suck… Lyrically, a disaster.
But when it REALLY comes down to it, remember… the Bill of Rights grants us freedom of speech, which allows poor, poor Darryl Worley the opportunity to pen what he views as patriotic songs as he pleases, just as YOU are free to express yourself on this blog without fear of censure, torture or imprisonment. Sadly, not every citizen of this world is so free.
Just a thought. Oh, and fabulous blog here. I happened upon it as I was doing some research on Emergent.
I hadn’t forgotten about 911 — but I had forgotten all about Worley’s completely forgettable song…until Adam brought it up again.
You gotta admit, though, “Bin Laden … Forgotten” That’s a bold man who make that rhyme with a straight face. Ranks right up there with Steve Miller’s “I want to reach out and GRABYA” to rhyme with…anyone remember?
[A]cting pursuant to the Constitution and [the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002] is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. [Italics Chatterbox's.*]
—President Bush, in a letter to Congress outlining the legal justification for commencing war against Iraq, March 18, 2003
here’s the whole thing…
Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President Pro Tempore of the Senate
March 21, 2003
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
On March 18, 2003, I made available to you, consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), my determination that further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq, nor lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.
I have reluctantly concluded, along with other coalition leaders, that only the use of armed force will accomplish these objectives and restore international peace and security in the area. I have also determined that the use of armed force against Iraq is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. United States objectives also support a transition to democracy in Iraq, as contemplated by the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-338).
Consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), I now inform you that pursuant to my authority as Commander in Chief and consistent with the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1) and the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), I directed U.S. Armed Forces, operating with other coalition forces, to commence combat operations on March 19, 2003, against Iraq.
These military operations have been carefully planned to accomplish our goals with the minimum loss of life among coalition military forces and to innocent civilians. It is not possible to know at this time either the duration of active combat operations or the scope or duration of the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces necessary to accomplish our goals fully.
As we continue our united efforts to disarm Iraq in pursuit of peace, stability, and security both in the Gulf region and in the United States, I look forward to our continued consultation and cooperation.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
George Bush has been clear since the beginning that Iraq is about the wider war on terror (as per the letter cited above).
But please don’t twist Bush’s words into saying Saddam had anything to do with 9/11. He never said so, in fact he denied it:
“We have no evidence that Saddam Hussein was involved with the 11 September attacks,” Mr Bush told reporters as he met members of Congress on energy legislation.”
Bush Rejects Saddam 9/11 Link
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3118262.stm
If you were under a different impression, then your bad, not his (don’t believe everything Al Franken tells you).
first,you are a too quick with the liberal label. I was things were that black and white, however, they are not.
The BBC article is roughly five months after his address to congress. Maybe i am reading into it, however, that second paragragh was purposefully ambiguous or was it — “actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.” — planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on 9-11. Seems pretty obvious to me. Please don’t misunderstand me or this dialogue. I’m not a huge Bush hater (i’m not a fan either). In fact, i voted for him over kerry. But he is a politician and a bad one at that. He has lied, or used ambiguous language, to further his foreign policy. You can spin his words all you want. He linked 9-11 in authorizing of the Gulf War. Please, dispute this.
sorry about the “horrific” grammer.
If my memory serves me, he made that speech even whilst the CIA had suggested that there was no link. Yet, five months later, he conceeds — he’s a politician.
I’m less a fan of the politician, than the party. And since all parties have politicians in them, well, guess what?
>>>”He linked 9-11 in authorizing of the Gulf War. Please, dispute this.”
That statement I do agree with.
What I dispute however is that Bush ever said there was a link between Saddam and 9/11. He is often accused of making that link, and it simply isn’t true.
I sure as hell hope you are not an American, because I am already ashamed at the number of ungrateful little weasels who think they have something to say about the war in either Iraq or Afghanistan, and one more like you might take me over the edge.
The truth is, you don’t understand the kind of sacrifice people made for this country. I think you need a history lesson pal. If it weren’t for the men who went willingly to war in WWI & WWII, you wouldn’t even be here you little bastard. And to hear you make fun of this man’s patriotism is downright wrong.
Ever heard of Omoha Beach?
Okininawa?
I sure would hope not. Men walked into bullets for you. They killed one another.
The fact that you would spit in the face of a patriot is absolutely appalling.
this war is worth it but we need to get it over with. I LOVE THIS SONG!!! it speaks da truth
Just came across this discussion, better late than never -
Reno, nicely written but that’s twice you’ve attacked posters for using adjectives. Here’s one back at ya for a noun. What’s insulting is your inept mischaracterization of Mark’s wish for no more war casualties as a “claim” (your word). You rob your own argument of intelligence, & you do it badly, in a postscript. Similarly, you fault Mark as “self-assured” for using “horrific” to describe 9/11. Are you kidding me? The only person for whom it robs lexical meaning is yourself. When you grossly mischaracterize, you can appear to win any argument you care to make. Look ma, works every time! Doesn’t that get boring after awhile? Reading your posts, apparently not; It certainly does for me.
Sam, ’bout time you stopped with the whiny bitching isn’t it? Let’s hope one more comment takes you over the edge this time. Honestly I’m just as sick of misguided rants like yours, attacking people’s patriotism in the name of the nation’s veterans. What were you doing in your post, exactly? Attacking another’s patriotism, right? Hold on, you said that was wrong. Fuck dude, I guess you’ve got some thinking to do.