"Prevent This Tragedy"
Song by Alkaline Trio
ReleasedMay 24, 2005
StudioConway, Los Angeles, California
Genre
Length3:06
LabelVagrant
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Jerry Finn

"Prevent This Tragedy" is a song by American rock band, Alkaline Trio, released on their 2005 album, Crimson. The song was written by Matt Skiba, Dan Andriano, and Derek Grant.

Background

"Prevent This Tragedy" was written about the West Memphis Three; a group of teenagers convicted of murdering three children in 1993. The case became highly controversial due to all three juveniles being found guilty with what the general public believed to be a severe lack of evidence against them.[3]

Many members of the music community showed their support over the years to have the West Memphis Three released from prison.[4][5] Alkaline Trio in particular became heavily involved with a yearly awareness day for the three, while guitarist, Matt Skiba, corresponded with Damien Echols, the only one of the three men who had been sentenced to death row, in an effort to save his life. Skiba also stated that they had also been a major influence on not only writing Crimson, but the majority of the band's activities for over a decade.

"That was something that we, and myself in particular, were driven and influenced by. Especially Damien’s situation, because he was facing the death sentence. He was on his third and last appeal, and then they were going to kill him. It was a personal statement about someone who was facing imminent death as a young person.” - Matt Skiba[6]

Reception

Critics have praised "Prevent This Tragedy" for helping to spread awareness for the case of the West Memphis Three. Mala Mortensa of Alternative Press praised the song's narrative, and noted how much more emotional it is now that all three men have been released from prison, but have yet to be fully exonerated.[1]

Personnel

Personnel per Crimson booklet.[7]

Alkaline Trio

Additional musicians

References

  1. 1 2 "10 emo songs with lyrics that are even sadder than you thought". Alternative Press Magazine. 2021-03-11. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  2. ↑ "10 times Alkaline Trio made pop culture references in their music". Alternative Press Magazine. 2020-02-23. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  3. ↑ Ludin, Leigh (November 14, 2010). "Not-So-Cold Old Cases". Criminal Brief: The Mystery Short Story Web Log Project. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  4. ↑ Richardson, Jake. "25 Rock + Metal Songs About Real Life Tragedies". Loudwire. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  5. ↑ Doyle, Patrick (2011-09-01). "How Rockers Helped Free the West Memphis Three". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  6. ↑ "Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba: "We're Lucky We Have A Successful And Beautiful Relationship As A Band" - Features". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  7. ↑ Crimson (Booklet). Alkaline Trio. Vagrant/Hassle Records. 2006. VRUK012CDX.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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