Discover the powerful re-release of ‘Have You Forgotten?’ – the iconic 9/11 anthem that’s now back with a message of unity for a divided America. In June, Darryl Worley unveiled a fresh rendition of his chart-topping hit, now titled ‘Have We Forgotten?’.
Re-Release of ‘Have You Forgotten?’
In honor of the 20th anniversary of his post-9/11 song “Have You Forgotten?,” country musician Darryl Worley worked with co-writer Wynn Varble to create a revised version titled “Have We Forgotten?” Worley urges unity in these difficult times, changing the song’s message from one of national unification to one of a memory of 9/11’s loss.
Worley said in an interview that singer-songwriter Noah Gordon was the one who first suggested a contemporary strategy to deal with the nation’s contentious issues.
“He woke up at 3 a.m. with this idea,” Worley recalled, referring to the suggestion made to him. “He thought that both Wynn and I should rewrite the lyrics for ‘Have You Forgotten?’ in light of the ongoing divisions in our nation, two decades after the original release.”
The idea was to rename it “Have We Forgotten?” and concentrate on dealing with the country’s divides and considering various strategies for fostering unity. The ‘I Miss My Friend’ singer was first apprehensive about changing his best hit.
He was originally hesitant to bring it up to the country artist since he considered it to be his crown jewel and didn’t want to ruin the reputation of “Have You Forgotten?”
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However, after some further thought and discussions with Wynn, they came to the conclusion that it was worthwhile to revisit if it might inspire even one thousand people to think of solutions rather than problems.
With the understanding that they would quietly abandon it if it didn’t work, Worley and Varble decided to try the new version. All through the process, they kept a low profile.
They took a new method for this repetition. The initial song had been instinct-driven and impromptu. They were careful to deliver their message clearly this time.
“Have You Forgotten?” stands as Worley’s most significant hit, and he believes that while their core beliefs haven’t changed, there’s room for compromise. He highlights the current state of division and conflict in American society, reminiscing about the unity witnessed on 9/12, the day after the 9/11 attacks.
When “Have You Forgotten?” was released in March 2003, it quickly climbed the charts, eventually claiming the top spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country chart for seven consecutive weeks. It also marked Worley’s mainstream success, reaching No. 22 on the U.S. Hot 100 chart.
The lyrics of the song reflect Worley’s worry that Americans were beginning to lose sight of the victims of the 9/11 attacks and the anxiety that engulfed the country on that day.
In a conversation with Fox News Digital, Worley discussed the anguish he experienced during the 9/11 attacks. He recalled his worry about additional assaults and his conviction that the entire nation was a target. He traveled to Afghanistan in September of that same year to perform for troops before the Iraq War started, calling the trip “the most surreal” of his life because he got to see warfare in a real-world conflict area.
“Our family’s military background was life-changing,” Worley told Fox News Digital. “When I returned to the States, I told my manager that I needed to take action. We should focus on supporting our military and first responders who make tremendous sacrifices. That trip to the war zone sparked a new perspective.”
“In early 2002 to 2003, Worley and Varble discussed crafting a 9/11 song,” he explained. “We felt America had moved on from the tragedy too swiftly. We shared the same emotions about how quickly people seemed to forget. Our goal was to create a song that would bring the nation back to that moment, while also honoring those who’ve made immense sacrifices. It’s a reminder of what brought us to where we are today – a nation that we proudly call the most powerful on earth. Yet, 20 years later, things have certainly changed.”
Worley and Varble initially had low expectations for “Have You Forgotten?” They recorded a simple two-track version on the day they wrote it, assuming it would gather dust on a shelf at their publishing companies. However, the song exceeded their expectations, becoming a significant milestone in Worley’s career and continuing to provide for his family.
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Worley views the song, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, as a transformative event. It developed a life of its own, providing for his family and his livelihood. Now that an upgrade is being thought about, he hopes it will contribute to bringing people together rather than tearing them apart.
Worley and Varble rewrote the majority of the lyrics in the new version to nudge Americans to set aside their differences. The new song acknowledges a divided society and calls for people to recall a time when unity was possible, in contrast to the original, which underlined profound disputes regarding the response to the 9/11 attacks.
Worley emphasizes the importance of promoting “Have We Forgotten?” to spread its message widely. It’s not about fame or fortune; it’s about ensuring the song’s message reaches as many people as possible, whether through country radio or digital platforms. The goal is simple: to have people hear and connect with the message.