Today, in the media blitz following reports that U.S. forces shot bin Laden dead while raiding a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, (also the same day Adolf Hitler's death was announced in 1945) there's a soundtrack developing to accompany the elation currently felt by many Americans. One unifying "song" in the traditional sense -- aside from the "U.S.A." chant that'll spring up in more spots than just Rascal Flatts shows -- is pretty much impossible at this stage of divided social consciousness. But many will try, and the existing patriotic songs will surely get a workout in the coming days.
Not to dismiss past jingoistic efforts of country musicians like Toby
Keith and Darryl Worley (Lee Greenwood will make some money today too), but the R&B and hip-hop communities have been one of the
most vocal in the ongoing lyrical battle against Osama bin Laden, al
Queda, Saddam Hussein, and general terrorist nastiness -- if random people behind Geraldo Rivera, Luther Campbell and Twitter are to be believed. If Michael Jackson were alive, he'd probably take a stab at creating an anthem. Here's betting Akon will. But these efforts could take (gasp) days! What can we listen to now now now?
The Los Angeles Times' Randall Roberts has compiled "Osama bin Laden in lyrics: An overview," which gives a sampling of lines from Lil Wayne, Eminem, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, among others. All of which were written before the news of yesterday. As fun as Weezy's "Hard Body" would be, the introspective Darryl Worley's "Have You Forgotten?" is going to be the one from Roberts' list that can rally the largest consensus because of its past success primarily within the country ranks.
Let's get on to the populist stuff now. VH1.com adroitly points out Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA," which has the benefit of:
A. Key words that reflect the current state of mind almost perfectly.
B. Tantalizing visuals of Miley Cyrus.
Regardless, this video has notched 213 million views as of this writing, and has become a message board for all sorts with something on their mind regarding Barack Obama's ultimate resume-boosting moment.
Hot Rod will never be as popular as Miley Cyrus, but this rapper who happens to be signed to 50 Cent's G-Note label might be able to lay claim to being the "first" to put out a celebratory song. To the tune of LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem," he announces that Osama bin Laden is dead with the subtle title "Osama bin Laden is Dead." Is this SEO pop? Definitely maybe.
Here's an important question: Have you forgotten about Petey Pablo? More specifically, his 2001 song "Raise Up," which features one of the most blistering Timbaland beats ever concocted. Guitars turned into sirens, loosely Middle-Eastern, and garbage can beats at the bottom, this was originally a rally cry for North Carolina, but not long after September 11, a "USA Flag Remix" emerged and advises its listeners to "take the flag, put it in the air, twirl it like a helicopter." Right now, the only embeddable version of the "Raise Up" remix we could find was "remastered" by South Florida's own DJ Reilly, and it was uploaded only a couple hours after Osama bin Laden's death was announced.
This last one is probably the only one that can withstand repeat listens for us. Which songs are rallying you today?
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