What Patriotic Music is Available to Consumers?
The CD includes Lee Greenwood’s 1994 song “God Bless the U.S.A.” as well as the national anthem, the “Star Spangled Banner” sung by Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Frank Sinatra’s version of “America the Beautiful” is included as well as “This Land Is Your Land” which is sung by Pete Seeger. Celine Dion sings the title song, “God Bless America”. Gloria Estefan performs her 1991 hit “Coming Out of the Dark” while Bill Withers sings “Lean On Me”. John Mellencamp’s unreleased live acoustic version of “Peaceful World” is also included. Bob Dylan sings “Blowin’ In the Wind”. Tramaine Hawkins sings “Amazing Grace”. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band sing “Land of Hope and Dreams”. “We Shall Overcome” is performed by Mahalla Jackson. Billy Gilman sings, “There’s A Hero”. Simon and Garfunkel sing their 1970 hit “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. Mariah Carey sings her 1993 hit “Hero”.
Her hit “Hero” is an awesome song that alludes to the emergency workers who sacrificed so much to help those in need in New York City. “And then a hero comes along, with the strength to carry on, and you cast your fears aside, and you know you can survive”, is a beautiful part of the song which can illustrate the emergency workers who helped people out of the WTC towers before they fell. “It’s a long road, when you face the world alone”, is another inspiring portion of the song that illustrates how we must all unite together realizing that life is precious and like the people who entered the WTC towers on September 11, we won’t realize that our life is done until it actually is. We should love each other, stop the hate, and be more peaceful.
Arista Records released the new Whitney Houston “Star Spangled Banner” CD on October 9. Wal-Mart is selling the CD for $3.96.Whitney Houston, The Whitney Foundation For Children, Inc., and Arista Records are donating its royalties and net proceeds to the New York Fraternal Order Of Police and The New York Firefighters 9/11 Disaster Relief Fund. Whitney’s version of “The Star Spangled Banner” was sung in 1991 during the Persian Gulf War.
It’s interesting to note that some artists are selling patriotic music that was written way before the attacks of 9/11. However, their CD’s are selling better than before and rather than the record companies pocketing all of this profit – they should donate a portion of their proceeds to those who need it in New York City. Lee Greenwood’s “American Patriot” was released in 1992 by EMD Distribution and is $8.28 at Wal-Mart. It includes ten songs. WEA Distributing Corp released Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” CD in 1996 being sold for $6.96 at Wal-Mart. The CD includes 10 songs as well.
Speaking of country music, Wal-Mart is selling the “Rockin’ Patriots”, a compilation of pop rock music by various artists for $13.88. It was released this past May and includes 18 songs but like the Greenwood CD’s, there is no notice that proceeds will help benefit those in need as a result of our nation’s tragedies.
