New York Minute

This doesn't really have much relevance to 9/11. Henley was looking back at his own life at the time and seeing how his failure to commit to someone and a family in this harsh world had only brought him despair. Pretty good song for coming out of the '80s, and I'm glad Don eventually settled down.

The lyrical "links" to 9/11 are coerced, at best. You have to isolate vague lines, removing all context, to make them fit this interpretation.

One day they're here, next day they're gone?

Cherry-picking lyrics (selecting those that fit your opinion and discarding the rest) is a disservice to the artist and his original meaning. Look at the broader context. The song is about the desperation that rises out of lost or unrequited love. That desperation can rapidly lead to dire consequences.

Go f*%$ yourself. If you want to trick your brain into thinking this song has relevance to 9/11, no one will stop you but you will be WRONG. Its all self-absorbed Henley here and nothing else. Regardless, 9/11 is just a drop in the bucket compared to the damage we've wrought on foreign countries in the name of commerce and imperialism. Here's a tissue, you ethnocentric putz.

What I find interesting is that Clear Channel didn't ban this song from the radio following 9/11.. considering they were going after any song that had new york in its lyrics or anything about crashing, burning, bombs, planes, skyscrapers, anything to do with the sky, heaven, hell, the apocalypse, war, and even bridges?? wtf does 'under the bridge' have to do with 9/11?? it's about drugs for christ's sake...

anyway dbn429 knows what theyre talking about.. yeah you cant just take a generic line like 'one day theyre here, next day...' and say oh! look at that! thats so fitting... even though yes, certain events can give a song a new way of interpreting it, you have to look at the original meaning, bub.

I think it is about a Wall Street prick realizing, finally, that his trophy wife doesn't care about anything not fiscal. His kids 1. Probably aren't his own. 2. Don't know, or care, about him. and 3. Would be better off without him. He got tired of living off the fat, and he decided to take the leap.

I have always believed that this song is at least in part inspired by the stock market crash of October 1987 and the ensuing recession.

Actually there are a lot of possible clues pointing to that time period, especially the tale of Harry in the first verse (a failed businessman or broker) and the later lines like "And in these days/When darkness falls early" as it does in late October, and "I pulled my coat over my shoulders/And took a walk down through the park/ The leaves were falling around me/ The groaning city in the gathering dark" using darkness as both a setting and a metaphor.

I understand how this song was used to commemorate 9/11 but enough of the BS that some people claim are "conspiracy" clues in it.

This song is so perfect for the events that happened on September 11th. Everyone was reminded of how things can change in the blink of an eye. I still cry for those who lost their lives that day when I hear this song.

Its really weird how this song does coincide with 9/11.There are just so many ideas Henley picks up on that mirror the events e.g.'one day they're here next day they're gone'.

Continue to believe that he should re-release this in tribute...still waiting...

When I saw Henley play this live in Jersey this past year there wasn't a dry eye in the place, so many emotions form this song.

maybe i am simple, but i think it's about cherishing what you have cos it can be gone in a "New York minute". nothing more, nothing less--love the line "what the head makes cloudy, the heart makes very clear".