![]() At 9:37 am, American Airlines flight 77 struck the southwest side of the Pentagon. ![]() It was at this point America knew that they were under attack. Seventeen minutes later, United Airlines flight 175 crashed into the south building. At 8:46 am on the same day, hijacked American Airlines flight 11 crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center. The terrorists hijacked and crashed all four. Nineteen terrorists boarded four consumer aircraft headed for various destinations around the country. On September 11, 2001, the United States received a series of attacks by al-Qaeda, an Islamic extremist group. “I Won’t Back Down” Song Analysis by Phoebe Schmitt President Bush’s intention was to assure the people that they will get through this challenging time but to do so, we must stay united and strong. Along with the appearance of the background, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers wore plain and subtle clothing unlike most performances where they wore more common rock clothes. Some of the lighting appears foggy and hazy to depict how hazy it was with smoke for days after the terrorist attack. In the background of his performance, there are candles in remembrance of the lost lives on 9/11 and the patriotic lights of red, white, and blue. Not only are the lyrics persevering, but Tom Petty’s performance persuades and encourages the audience to do the same. The rhythm and tempo of the song is slowed down, so the song isn’t as aggressive and fast. Throughout the song, the verse “I won’t back down” is repeated many times to assure Americans that as long as we stay strong and united, we can overcome these difficult times. However, President Bush asked Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers to sing this for America because of the motivating and strong lyrics. For a few weeks after the attacks of 9/11, almost all sporting events and performances were canceled. It quickly became a song which helped unite all Americans struggling to stay strong through tragic times and to trust President Bush in his decisions. Bush asked Tom Petty to perform this song for America. Years later the catastrophic events in history, 9/11, put many Americans in shock. He first released the song in April 1989, and it was soon number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100 list. The top hit song “I Won’t Back Down” was written by Tom Petty and performed by him and his group, The Heartbreakers. The video incorporates symbolic pieces of candles, patriotic colors, and haze in the background to remember those who died on September 11th, 2001. In the song's lyrics, Petty discusses bravery for the United States, but in the music video, he exemplifies it through his eye contact with the camera. Petty delivers the piece slowly and calmly, with electric guitars and drums continuously playing in the background for people to understand and connect with the music and lyrics. However, on the day it aired, it was one of the only things on TV that was unrelated to the news of this tragedy. The footage aired on September 21st, 2001, to honor those who died during the attack, unite a country, and connect with those who lost loved ones. The music video pays tribute to the heroes of 9/11. Tom Petty's song lyrics genuinely represent the United States at this time and what the citizens want to hear after the tragedy of 9/11. The song accomplishes the idea of bravery and courage through the repeated line, “I Won’t Back Down,” which reassures the citizens of the United States that the country will recover and not fall from the loss and sadness of this event. ![]() The attack by al-Qaeda, an Islamist extremist group, will not bring the United States down through the severe damage they caused. With the help of the government, citizens, healthcare workers, first responders, and the global community. A line in the lyrics that symbolizes the strength of the United States is, “And I’ll keep this world from draggin’ me down,” which represents no matter what happens, the country will recover from the difficulties presented on 9/11. The lyrics also represent how the country and citizens will remain brave and move forward but never forget this important day in history. The lyrics “I Won't Back Down” symbolize the United States' strength and unification through the repetition of lines. Petty conveys the mourning of this event through his song lyrics and music video to pay tribute to the heroes and workers who died on September 11th, 2001. The attack greatly affected the country not only on that day but for years to come. “I Won’t Back Down,” written by Tom Petty, communicates how the United States stayed strong after losing thousands of people from the attack on the Twin Towers.
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