In 2003, Darryl Worley had a hit single with “Have You Forgotten.” The song, written by Worley and Wynn Varble, is the title track of a record Worley also released that same year.
Inspired by the tragic events of September 11, 2001, “Have You Forgotten?” says in part, “Have you forgotten how it felt that day / To see your homeland under fire / And her people blown away? / Have you forgotten when those towers fell / We had neighbors still inside, goin’ through a livin hell / And you say we shouldn’t worry about Bin Laden / Have you forgotten?”
“The song ‘Have You Forgotten?’ has become an authentic piece of American history that I believe will stand the test of time,” says Worley. “In my opinion, it may be more relevant now than it ever has been. It was never meant to be any kind of political statement. The song is a tribute written to honor those who serve. We hoped it would call attention to the intense sacrifices made by the amazing men and women of the U.S. military and our dedicated first responders across this great nation.
“We also created the song in remembrance of those lost in the carnage of 9/11,” he adds. “It is a simple reminder not to forget where we have been and what we’ve been through.”
Darryl Worley Talks Impact of “Have You Forgotten?”
Worley has plenty of other hits, including “A Good Day to Run,” “I Miss My Friend,” “Awful, Beautiful Life,” and more. But for Worley, nothing will top “Have You Forgotten?”, at least in his mind.
“I’ll tell you this: ‘Have You Forgotten?’ has always been my crown jewel,” Worley tells Everything Nash. “It was the biggest song I’ve ever had. I love some of the other hit songs, but that song has just done so much for me and my family, and hopefully and prayerfully, it did a lot for the people that loved it as well. A lot of those were men and women in the military and first responders, and people who just need our support.”
It’s been 22 years since Worley released “Have You Forgotten?,” but the song remains just as important on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 as it did when Worley released it. Worley still sings that song whenever he can, including at a recent event with President George Bush.
“What an honor it is to join former president George W. Bush and his wife Laura for a private event to honor secret service members who were at ground zero and the families of those who passed on that harrowing day 25 years ago,” Worley captions a photo. “We haven’t forgotten and never will.”
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