Various non-Bangladeshi musicians wrote and performed several English songs about Bangladesh before and after liberation.
Bangla Desh
“Bangla Desh” is a song written and performed by English musician George Harrison. It has been described as “one of the most cogent social statements in music history”. Released in July 1971 as a non-album single to raise awareness for the millions of refugees from the country formerly known as East Pakistan following the 1970 Bhola cyclone and the outbreak of the Bangladesh Liberation War. Harrison’s inspiration for the song came from his friend Ravi Shankar, an Indian Bengali musician. It was pop music‘s first charity single, and its release took place three days before the Harrison-sponsored Concert for Bangladesh shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The recording was co-produced by Phil Spector and features contributions from Leon Russell, Jim Horn, Ringo Starr, and Jim Keltner.
Harrison began the song with a verse outlining his introduction to the Bangladesh crisis, which refers to Shankar’s request for help.
My friend came to me with sadness in his eyes
Harrison
Told me that he wanted help before his country dies
Although I couldn’t feel the pain, I knew I had to try
Now I’m asking all of you to help us save some lives.
Song of Bangladesh
“Song of Bangladesh” is written and performed by American singer-songwriter Joan Baez. The song was based on the Pakistani army crackdown on unarmed sleeping Bengali students at the University of Dhaka on 25 March 1971. Initially, the song was written as “The Story of Bangladesh”, later entitled “The Song of Bangladesh”, and released in Beaz’s 1971 album Come from the Shadows from Chandos Music. It was also a part of the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh, organized by George Harrison and Pandit Ravi Shankar. It became the anthem of pro-Bangladeshi activists all over the Western world.
Bangladesh Bangladesh
Baez
Bangladesh Bangladesh
When the sun sinks in the west
Die a million people of the Bangladesh
