Critically acclaimed British singer-songwriter Rumer releases new single ‘Before The Planes’

Critically acclaimed British folk singer-songwriter Rumer has released her new single ‘Before The Planes’ as a tribute to firefighters ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

The artist, who shot to fame in 2010 with the million-selling Seasons Of My Soul, will release a new studio album due in 2027.

Rumer has recently signed to Breaking Wave Group, the independent record label and music services firm set up by industry veterans Jeremy Marsh, Nick Stewart, Beth Claridge, Marc Marot and James Radice.

‘Before The Planes’ will be released on 4th September and focuses on the events of 9/11 in New York City from the perspective of the first heroic firefighter responders, as well as the lasting impact in the weeks, months and years following the tragedy. It is a song of love and hope.

An emotional video accompanying the song features images of 434 brave firefighters who lost their lives.

Rumer said: “I found myself looking at the world as it is now - at the conflict, division and instability that seems to have become embedded in our daily lives - and wondering when the trajectory began to change?

“When 9/11 happened, it seemed a line was drawn in the sand. It felt as though there was a world before September 11th and a world after.

“So I started listening to first hand accounts from survivors, witnesses and family members with a focus on the New York events. Over several months, I listened to and watched hundreds of hours of eyewitness testimony from that day and the days after. What struck me most was the heroism that was shown that day; the goodness of the people, the bravery of the firefighters, first responders and civilians who gave up their lives to save others.”

Every word and image in ‘Before The Planes’ is drawn directly from eyewitness testimony. A combination of fragmented voices, radio calls, observations and courageous acts forms the collective memory of the event that is used to create the song. This includes an excerpt of ‘Danny Boy’, the traditional ballad that was commonly used to honour the memories of those who died in many firefighters’ funerals and memorial services.

The focus of this piece lies with heroes such as Battalion One Chief Joseph Pfieffer, the first NY Fire Department Battalion Chief on the scene, whose brother Kevin, also a firefighter, died in the North Tower. In the song, you can hear a snippet of Joseph calling out for his brother on the radio with no reply.

The song also references the incredible story of the firefighters of Ladder 6, led by Jay Jonas, who stopped to help an older injured lady - secretary Josephine Harris - as they were being told to evacuate the tower. By choosing to stay with her, they all miraculously ended up in the only air pocket, Stairwell B, when the tower went down around them, allowing them to all be eventually rescued.

There are countless stories of heroism - the efforts and sacrifices that were made during and after the event - as firefighters searched the debris for their family members, friends and neighbours.

The toxic dust from the debris was responsible for a further 400 firefighter deaths in the months and years after the event, with the count continuing.

Rumer said: “The ultimate message of the song is that despite the terrorist atrocities we have faced and continue to face around the world, there are always heroes in our midst, and their acts of extraordinary bravery, kindness and love give us hope for a better world.”

BEFORE THE PLANES

By Sarah Joyce, Rob Shirakbari

It was a clear, blue sky

the most perfect blue

A wonderful day to be in the city

the kids’ first day back at school

But then came the fire

no one could know

Then came impossible rain

impossible snow

“Nothing’s gonna happen to you while we’re here We’ll take care of you, Miss Josephine” Battalion One to Engine Thirty-Three

Battalion One to Engine Thirty-Three

I went down in the dust and the sweat and the blood looking for you

And you’re damn right I’d do it all over again to bring you home

I’m looking for my brother

It got dark and the power went out

Come on, big man, it’s time to let it out

Oh, Danny boy, the pipes are calling

From glen to glen and down the mountainside The summer’s gone and all the roses falling It’s you, it’s you and I must bide

To love and be loved

that’s all that matters

It’s who you love

and, baby, who loves you

You can’t tell the kids what it was all like before the planes

how in just one day

the whole world changed

Out of the flames

out of the dust

In God We Trust

Rumer on ‘Before The Planes’

‘Before The Planes’ is an impressionist piece that focuses on the events of 9/11 in New York City from the perspective of the firefighters who responded on the day, as well as in the weeks, months and years after the event. This is a song of love and hope. 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the events of 9/11.

The writing of this piece began with a broader reflection on the past twenty-five years. I found myself looking at the world as it is now — at the conflict, division and instability that seem to have become embedded in our daily lives — and wondering when the trajectory began to change?

When 9/11 happened, it seemed a line was drawn in the sand. It felt as though there was a world before September 11th and a world after.

So I started listening to first hand accounts from survivors, witnesses and family members with a focus on the New York events. Over several months, I listened to and watched hundreds of hours of eyewitness testimony from that day and the days after. What struck me most was the heroism that was shown that day; the goodness of people, the bravery of the firefighters, first responders and civilians who gave up their lives to save others.

As a result, the focus of this piece centres on the heroes. Such as Battalion One Chief Joseph Pfeiffer, the first NY Fire Dept. battalion chief on the scene, whose fireman brother Kevin died in the North Tower. In this song you hear Joseph calling for his brother on the radio with no reply.

Also the song references the incredible story of the men of Ladder 6, led by Jay Jonas, who stopped to help an older injured lady — secretary Josephine Harris — as they were being told to evacuate the tower. By choosing to stay with her, they all ended up miraculously in the only air pocket, Stairwell B, when the tower went down around them, allowing them all to be eventually rescued.

These are just a few of the stories referenced in the song. There are so many stories of heroism from that day and beyond of the efforts and the sacrifices that were made after the event, as firefighters searched the debris for their family members, friends, and neighbours.

The toxic dust from the debris was responsible for a further 400 firefighter deaths in the months and years after the event, and that count continues.

Every word and every image in ‘Before the Planes’ is rooted in eyewitness testimony. Even the reference to ‘Danny Boy’ which was so often sung at many of the firefighters funerals and memorial services. Individual accounts have been woven together to form a collective memory — an impression of a morning told through fragments of voices, radio calls, observations and acts of courage.

The ultimate message of the song is that despite the terrorist atrocities we have faced and continue to face around the world, there are always heroes in our midst, and their acts of extraordinary bravery, kindness and love give us hope for a better world.