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Petula Clark Responds ‘I Love Nashville’ After ‘Downtown’ Played in Nashville Bombing

British pop icon Petula Clark expresses “shock and disbelief” over the Christmas Day Nashville Bombing “in our beloved Music City.”

Today, Petula Clark, 88, speaks out on behalf of the city of Nashville after learning officers could hear her 1964 hit “Downtown” playing during the Christmas Day bombing. The bombing, which decimated dozens of businesses in downtown Nashville, injured at least three. The man responsible for the bombing, Anthony Quinn Warner, perished in the heinous explosion of his own making.

In a statement on her official Facebook today, the legendary singer wishes to reassure Nashville of the love she holds for Music City.

Petula Clark Pens Letter to Nashville over Christmas Day Bombing

“I feel the need to express my shock and disbelief at the Christmas Day explosion in our beloved Music City,” Clark begins. “I love Nashville and its people. Why this violent act – leaving behind it such devastation?”

Clark then clarifies that she found out the RV at the center of the blast had broadcast her pop staple, “Downtown”, just before the blast. “A few hours later – I was told that the music in the background of that strange announcement – was me – singing “Downtown”,” she continues. “Of all the thousands of songs – why this one?”

“Of course, the opening lyric is “When you’re alone and life is making you lonely you can always go Downtown”,” Clark adds of the lyrics we all know by heart. “But millions of people all over the world have been uplifted by this joyful song. Perhaps you can read something else into these words – depending on your state of mind. It’s possible.”

As for us Nashvillians, Clark says she “would like to wrap my arms around Nashville – give you all a hug – and wish you Love, a Happy and Healthy New Year – and, as we sometimes say in the U.K., steady the Buffs! (Look it up!). Love, Petula.”

Nashville Officer Heard “Downtown” Lyrics Just Before Blast

The Christmas Day bombing hospitalized three individuals with injuries. 41+ businesses are reporting damage from the explosion, which bomber Anthony Quinn Warner perished within.

The ongoing Nashville Bombing investigation owes much to the city’s brave officer James Luellen. Luellen, one of several officers to respond to an RV parked in Nashville’s entertainment district, reported lyrics from Petula Clark’s “Downtown” playing just before the explosion.

“What I remembered was ‘Downtown where the lights shined bright,’” Luellen said, according to The Tennessean. From there, the ATF agent Luellen spoke with identified the song.

The Nashville Bombing explosion took place at 6:30 a.m. before bomb squads could arrive.

[H/T The Tennessean]