Beyonce’s use of an audio sample from the 1986 NASA space shuttle Challenger disaster in her new song “XO” has earned considerable outrage.
The track, off her eponymous new surprise album, begins with a six-second audio clip of NASA’s public affairs officer, Steve Nesbitt, saying: “Flight controllers here looking very carefully at the situation. Obviously a major malfunction.” The comments followed Challenger’s destruction, breaking apart 73 seconds following its launch from the Kennedy Space Center.
Millions of Americans in homes and classrooms across the nation watched the explosion on live television on Jan. 28, 1986, particularly to rally the participation of Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher selected to head to space. And in the pre-internet age, a time when the nightly news wasn’t bursting at the sponsored seams with school shootings, suicide bombers and shell-game wars, America came to a stop for the tragic loss of seven astronauts reaching for the stars. So needless to say, many have deemed the use of audio from the tragedy in a pop song inappropriate and tasteless.
Dr. June Scobee Rodgers, widow of Challenger Commander Dick Scobee and founding chairwoman of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, released the following statement Monday in response to the song:
“We were disappointed to learn that an audio clip from the day we lost our heroic Challenger crew was used in the song ‘XO.’ The moment included in this song is an emotionally difficult one for the Challenger families, colleagues and friends. We have always chosen to focus not on how our loved ones were lost, but rather on how they lived and how their legacy lives on today. Their dedication to education and exploration resulted in the creation of Challenger Center for Space Science Education and because of this we have been able to educate millions of students across America and beyond.
We hope everyone remembers the crew for the inspirational legacy they left in the hearts of so many.”
In rapid fashion, Beyonce also released a statement, to ABC News, explaining the use of the audio clip:
“My heart goes out to the families of those lost in the Challenger disaster. The song ‘XO’ was recorded with the sincerest intention to help heal those who have lost loved ones and to remind us that unexpected things happen, so love and appreciate every minute that you have with those who mean the most to you.
The songwriters included the audio in tribute to the unselfish work of the Challenger crew with hope that they will never be forgotten.”
Carefully crafted in tribute? Or savvy way to tug some heartstrings without going the full distance with audio of planes slamming into the World Trade Center? Whatever the case, the move to include audio from one of America’s most tragic moments of stolen lives and lost hope for a pop song is in seriously poor taste.
