Overview:
People are remembering the 20th anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast. While it’s a remembrance of sad things, it also reminds us of how people worked together. Even the most unlikely celebrity pairings collaborated to benefit those in need. One of these pairings was Mötley Crüe and Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington.
We remember Hurricane Katrina. Over the past week, social media has been abundant with postings about the 20th anniversary of this natural disaster. The remembrance of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina certainly brings back sadness. As has been documented, Hurricane Katrina destroyed much land and property. It also took the lives of many people and changed lives forever. We remember these individuals during this time.
Although Hurricane Katrina was catastrophic, it also brought people together in times of need. People from diverse ages, demographics, and socio-economic backgrounds came together as one. In addition, many celebrities donated money and even their personal services.
Like how Katrina brought together people in communities, it also resulted in the collaboration of some unlikely celebrity pairings. One such pairing was the musical collaboration of Mötley Crüe and the late Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. These were two musical artists from two different subgenres of rock and roll and eras, for that matter.
Mötley Crüel
Throughout the eighties, Mötley Crüe had a string of hit records and sold-out shows. When people hear the term ‘hair metal,’ it’s arguable that Mötley Crüe is one of the bands that comes to mind. Their music blended heavy metal, punk, blues rock, and pop. Hair metal’s popularity would begin to fade in the early 1990s. However, Mötley Crüe would find renewed success in the 2000s, introducing themselves to a new generation of fans.
Linkin Park
The origins of Linkin Park date back to 1996 when Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, and Rob Bourdon formed the band Xero. After an additional member left, Xero brought on Chester Bennington. The band eventually became Linkin Park. Their music fused alternative rock, alternative metal, rap rock, nu metal, and everything in between. Breaking into popularity in the early 2000s, Linkin Park proved to be very successful.
How Did This Happen?
On September 10, 2005, the U.S. Gulf Coast was just 12 days removed from Hurricane Katrina making landfall. That day, a benefit concert broadcast by MTV, VH1, CMT, MTV2, MTVU, VH1 Classic, and The N, titled “ReAct Now: Music & Relief,” featured various musical performers. Some of the filming took place in New York City, Los Angeles, and Nashville. Coincidentally, Motley Crue played in Nashville that same day. They joined in on the benefit. However, they wouldn’t be alone.
Chester Bennington was also going to be involved in the benefit. As Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx stated in an online article published on Blabbermouth.net, “Chester was originally scheduled to play the MTV ‘ReActNow’ benefit concert in Los Angeles but when he heard what we were doing, he wanted to help with this song and video and chose to do his performance in Nashville with us.”
The Song (Home Sweet Home)
Here are some of the lyrics to “Home Sweet Home,” which was released on the album “Theater of Pain” on June 21, 1985:
“Just when things went right
It doesn’t mean they’re always wrong
Just take this song and you’ll never feel left all alone
Take me to your heart
Feel me in your bones
Just one more night
And I’m coming off this
Long and winding road
I’m on my way
I’m on my way
Home, sweet home”
Sentimental Meaning
“Home Sweet Home” discusses things going awry, as shown in the lyrics:
“Just when things went right,
It doesn’t mean they’re always wrong.”
“It doesn’t mean they’re always wrong,” was changed in the re-recording to “Suddenly, it all went wrong.” That was the case for many people after Hurricane Katrina hit.
The lyrics of the song also talk about looking for shelter, as evidenced by:
“Take me to your heart;
Feel me in your bones.”
Post Katrina
After Katrina, many people lost their homes. There was a longing for a place to live again, as well as light at the end of the tunnel. “Home Sweet Home” expresses this via the following lyrics:
“Just one more night,
And I’m coming off this long and winding road.”
Some people say that songs can provide comfort. I find that in the following lyrics:
“I’m on my way,
I’m on my way,
Home, sweet Home.”
“Home Sweet Home” was a terrific song for Chester Bennington and Mötley Crüe to play to help people who were affected by Hurricane Katrina. It wasn’t just the lyrics, though. Mötley Crüe’s publicist recorded a video for it. It featured back-and-forth images of Mötley Crüe and Chester Bennington re-recording the song, as well as those of the aftermath of Katrina. The visions of the survivors, as well as the wreckage, were sad. However, I believe that this version of the song can leave one feeling more hopeful after listening to it.
Significance
As sad and tragic as the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was, it brought people together. People from diverse backgrounds worked together in unison.
The re-recording of Mötley Crüe’s “Home Sweet Home” by the band and Chester Bennington showcased a unique collaboration. Two sets of musical artists, from two different rock subgenres and eras, came together to assist people in need. They sang together to help those who were victims of the costliest natural disaster in United States history. Additionally, the lyrics of the song gained a new significance.
Chester Bennington said in an online interview published on Blabbermouth.net on September 27, 2005, “The song really does fit the sentiment, and something special happened when we pulled it together.”
In the End, It Did Matter
Unfortunately, Chester Bennington passed away in 2017. One of Linkin Park’s signature songs was “In the End,” which was released on the album “Hybrid Theory” on October 24, 2000. Some of the lyrics include:
“I tried so hard and got so far,
But in the end, it doesn’t even matter,
I had to fall to lose it all,
But in the end, it doesn’t even matter.”
However, in the case of Chester’s collaboration with Mötley Crüe, the end did matter. The re-recording of “Home Sweet Home” was a means to a great end.
Home Sweet Home
Watching the music video for the re-recording of “Home Sweet Home” might bring some sadness. However, I feel that it also serves as a reminder of how people, including musicians, worked together. Eventually, we all must make our way to home sweet home.
References:
“Home Sweet Home.” Recorded by Mötley Crüe. Released on the Album “Theater of Pain” on June 21, 1985
“In the End.” Recorded by Linkin Park. Released on the Album “Hybrid Theory” on October 24, 2000.
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