Rue Snider - 73 Seconds of Truth Lyrics

January 28th 1986
I remember the newscast interrupting the TV I was watching
At home from school my best friend was there
If I recall correctly
I thought, "Oh my god Gaddafi has bombed us from a tiny country"
Far away though I didn't know where Libya was exactly
But we sat there and watched the disaster
Of the Space Shuttle Challenger
Exploding over the Atlantic Ocean

73 seconds it had only been gone 73 seconds
A minute and a few
Our lives are made of minutes made of seconds
One day will be the last for me for you
Give me 73 seconds of truth

You can't escape with money or power
Death in all its glory and profundity comes for everyone
Could be a failed O-ring seal in a solid rocket booster and a fire
Could be the impact of the crew compartment slamming into the water
Could be a car wreck, a violent attack, or something genetic from your father
But we all go one way or another
Like those 7 brave souls in the Challenger
Who were lost over the Atlantic Ocean

73 seconds it had only been gone 73 seconds
A minute and a few
Our lives are made of minutes made of seconds
One day will be the last for me for you
Give me 73 seconds of truth

32 month hiatus of the shuttle program
There was negligence on NASA's part sure, it's a government agency
What did you expect, efficiency and concern for human beings?
They knew about the dangers but were corrupted by "go fever"
Like a bride who's not in love but really really really really wants a wedding
I watched it on TV
Christa McAuliffe I remember when you gave your life
Snuffed out over the Atlantic Ocean

73 seconds it had only been gone 73 seconds
A minute and a few
Our lives are made of minutes made of seconds
One day will be the last for me for you
Give me 73
Give me 73
Give me 73 seconds of truth