Singer Petula Clark has expressed confusion over the use of her 1964 song “Downtown” by the man who set off a bomb in an RV on Nashville Street on Christmas Day.
“Why does this violent act – leave such a devastation behind?” said the British singer in a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday. ‘A few hours later – I was told that the music was playing’ Downtown ‘in the background of the strange announcement – I was! Of all the thousands of songs – why this one? ‘
The classic pop song is played at the end of a set countdown, where a female voice warned people to clear the area because the RV contained a bomb. Although police worked quickly to evacuate residents, eight people were injured by the blast.
The bomber, Anthony Quinn Warner of Antioch, Tennessee, was killed in the early-morning blast, which damaged dozens of buildings, most notably one containing AT&T equipment. The 63-year-old was identified via DNA after his body was found in the aftermath of the blast. No motive has been determined yet.
On Facebook, the 88-year-old Clark tried to understand why her song was being used, but did not come to a clear conclusion.
“The first lyric is of course: ‘If you are alone and life makes you lonely, you can always go to the city center’, she wrote. ‘But millions of people around the world have been raised by this joyful song. Maybe you can read something else in these words – depending on your state of mind. It is possible. “
The AT&T building was the headquarters of a telephone exchange with network equipment in it, the company said. Some Internet access in Tennessee and surrounding states declined after the blast, as well as a number of cell phones and 911 services in Tennessee and Kentucky counties.
The Federal Aviation Administration has temporarily suspended flights from Nashville International Airport due to telecommunications issues.
The singer, whose other hits include ‘I Know a Place’ and ‘My Love’, ends with a heartfelt wish for the people of Music City.
‘I would like to wrap my arms around Nashville – give everyone a hug – and wish you love, a happy and healthy new year – and, as we sometimes say in the UK, the buffs steady! (Look for it!), ”Clark wrote.
Look up the phrase if you like, or just know: it’s a version of the admonition “Stay calm and keep going.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.