Cole Swindell Performs ‘You Should Be Here’ at World Trade Center [Watch]
Cole Swindell stood in the shadow of the Freedom Tower in New York City and became the first person to perform from Four World Trade Center. Swindell's stripped down version of "You Should Be Here" took on extra meaning on this day.
The song was originally in memory of his father, who died soon after Swindell signed his record deal with Warner Music Nashville. Swindell has embraced the personal nature of the song and every story a fan has shared about how "You Should Be Here" helped them through tragedy. The hit has helped him grieve.
On Tuesday morning's Fox & Friends (May 10) Swindell played it for those killed during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. “This is absolutely the most special thing I’ve ever got a chance to do,” he says before beginning. “I want everybody to know how much i respect this place and respect the families.”
“I think we were all affected by 9/11.”
Nearly 3,000 people were killed and thousands more injured in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The original World Trade Center collapsed, but the buildings have slowly been rebuilt. Swindell performed from Four World Trade Center, a nearly 1,000 foot tall skyscraper built where the original buildings once stood.
After the performance, Swindell again commented on how much the moment meant to him. Later he took a photo for social media, showing him and his band in front of the famous Freedom Tower. He also talked to family members of the fallen in attendance.
"One of the first responders was a firefighter," Swindell told Taste of Country Nights host Sam Alex later in the day. "He had lost some of his buddies that were fire fighters. You could tell they still got choked up talking about."
"One of the ladies that I met, she said 'Fifteen years later you haven't forgotten," he adds. "I feel like that was all they wanted. It's been 15 years but we will never forget that day."
The hashtag #NeverForget was used in many of Swindell's social posts following the event.
The Story Behind Cole Swindell's "You Should Be Here"