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Alan Jackson - Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)

Alan Jackson - Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Drive
Released: 2001

Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) Lyrics

Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
That September day?
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Or workin' on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor,
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children, they lost their dear loved ones,
Pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white, and blue
And heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?

I'm just a singer of simple songs.
I'm not a real political man.
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you
The diff'rence in Iraq and Iran.
But I know Jesus and I talk to God,
And I remember this from when I was young:
Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
That September day?
Teachin' a class full of innocent children
Or drivin' on some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor?
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened,
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset for the first time in ages
And speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow,
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on ""I Love Lucy"" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger,
Stand in line to give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your fam'ly,
Thank God you had somebody to love?

I'm just a singer of simple songs.
I'm not a real political man.
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you
The diff'rence in Iraq and Iran.
But I know Jesus and I talk to God,
And I remember this from when I was young:
Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love.
I'm just a singer of simple songs.
I'm not a real political man.
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you
The diff'rence in Iraq and Iran.
But I know Jesus and I talk to God,
And I remember this from when I was young:
Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love.

And the greatest is love,
And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
That September day?

Writer/s: Jackson, Alan Eugene
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)

Written by Jackson in the wake of the September 11 attacks, this song was released on November 26, 2001 as the lead single from his Drive album. The track topped the Billboard Country charts and peaked at #28 on the Hot 100.

Jackson introduced the song at the Country Music Association's annual awards show on November 7, 2001. Speaking to The Boot in 2013, Jackson said that he perceives this tune to be his biggest-ever accomplishment. "I [recently] did a radio interview, and the guy was talking about being at the [CMA] Awards the night I sang 'Where Were You,'" he explained. "Even though that was a hard performance for me and an emotional time, I still get so many comments about that. Of all the awards, and all that kind of stuff, the music is still what I like. To be able to create a song that really affects people and makes a mark in the music industry, I would have to say that would be a highlight."

Jackson wrote the song on his own, with the idea coming to him at 4am in the morning. He explained to The Boot that the lyrics really "came out of nowhere." "It was just a gift," he said. "I got up and scribbled it down and put the melody down so I wouldn't forget it, and the next day I started piecing all those verses together, thoughts I had or visuals I had."