I Love New York

September 11th, 2001 is probably the most-written about single day in American history. This song is the soundtrack to the events after that infamous day, the story of how a whole city banded together, a melting pot constituted of every race, color and creed.

What it really is is a love song to the whole city from a band that's so New York it's as if their rhythms have been cut right out from the bricks and mortar holding up the streets above the subways.

The city employed these huge flood lights to assist the workers digging through the rubble at Ground Zero, many of which were volunteer firefighters and policemen that were there for the initial call as the city hummed like it did any Tuesday at mid- morning.

There's a lesson in all of this, as lead singer Paul Banks takes the opportunity to mend not only the hole in his soul, but the whole made in the New York City skyline: "It's up to me now, turn on the bright lights, got to be some more change in my life..."

Every time I've been to NYC since 2002, I find a moment to play this song. Just to remind myself that underneath the gruff exterior and pushy demeanor of New York City's residents, there's an undeniable connection, a brotherhood of man that makes me smile as I walk by the reservoir near 5th Avenue.

Because moments like these convince me that humanity isn't doomed, after all...