How the song 'Superman' provided comfort to the country following the 9/11 attacks

Connecticut Public Radio

Published September 11, 2024 at 7:50 AM EDT

The song "Superman (It's Not Easy)" was one of the songs that Americans turned to in the days and weeks following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, offering comfort and a chance to reflect.

As we mark the 23rd anniversary of the attacks, we’re going to spend a few minutes exploring the significance of this particular song, from the musician who came up with it — John Ondrasik, better known by his stage name, Five for Fighting.

We’re going to revisit a conversation from "Where We Live." Connecticut Public’s Catherine Shen talked with Ondrasik last year about how he developed the song – and about how music can help us during our darkest moments.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

Protect Connecticut Public

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

Protect Connecticut Public