"All These People" is the first single from
Harry Connick Jr.
Joseph Harry Fowler Connick Jr. (born September 11, 1967) is an American singer, pianist, composer, actor, and former television host. As of 2019, he has sold over 30 million records worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top60 best-selling ma ...
's 2007 album ''
Oh my NOLA'', and the single was released on
iTunes
iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management (MDM) utility developed by Apple. It is used to purchase, play, download and organize digital multimedia on personal computers running the macOS and Windows operating s ...
on August 29, 2006. Music and lyrics by Harry Connick Jr.
The lyrics were inspired by the suffering Connick witnessed when he visited
New Orleans
New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...
in the days immediately following
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina was a powerful, devastating and historic tropical cyclone that caused 1,392 fatalities and damages estimated at $125 billion in late August 2005, particularly in the city of New Orleans and its surrounding area. ...
. The song is all about the people who were left stranded at the
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is located in Downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The lower end of building one is located upriver from Canal Street on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is named after former Mayor of Ne ...
. Each verse of the song is describing what he saw as he was led by a man he had met on the street earlier that day, named Darryl.
Columbia Records Announces the Release of New Harry Connick Jr. Composition, 'All These People,' to Aid Victims of Hurricane Katrina
PRNewswire August 16, 2006
There were two dead bodies Connick saw when he first arrived at the convention center. Featured singer Kim Burrell
Kimberly Jean Burrell (born August 26, 1972) is an American gospel singer, songwriter, and pastor from Houston, Texas.
Early life
Born Kimberly Jean Burrell on August 26, 1972, in Houston, Texas, Burrell was one of four children born to Juli ...
asked that her voice specifically represent them. Burrell also asked that a final verse be added for her to sing, which Connick wrote in the studio.
Harry Connick Jr.'s favorite part of the performance is when Kim Burrell improvises the
line 'come see about me,' which, he says "was all those folks wanted that day, someone to come and see about them."
All proceeds from sale of the song will benefit New Orleans Habitat Musicians' Village.
References
External links
Music video "All These People"
at CBSNews.com
Photo: "Singer Harry Connick Jr. prays over two dead bodies outside the New Orleans Convention Center", Sept. 1, 2005
at gallery.phillyburbs.com
"Connick devastated by conditions in hometown", Sept. 2, 2005
videoclips at msnbc.com
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2006 singles
Charity singles
Harry Connick Jr. songs
Hurricane Katrina disaster relief charity singles
2006 songs
Songs written by Harry Connick Jr.
Columbia Records singles